The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Garand clip 'ping'

BillCA · September 7, 2008, 04:39 AM

I can't comment on this directly and my dad served in the USAAF flying B-17's out of Italy. And most of my other relatives who served have since passed. But my father did say that he asked a few ground-pounders in Italy about it when they had come off the line to the rear. Universally, their response is "Nah, the [Germans] can't hear it over the constant firing. In fact, sometimes it's easier to hear the *ping* from the guy next to you than your own."

If anyone wants to see how fast a Garand can be fired and reloaded, rent a few episodes of the old Combat TV show and watch Pierre Jalbert ("Caje"). While these were modified blank-firing Garands, he can reload in about 1~1.3 seconds. I caught him talking about the show on a late channel one night. He actually bought his own M1 and practiced with it until he could empty 8 rounds in 5 seconds an reload in under 2 seconds. (yes, he said he had a callous on his shoulder from all the practice too!

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September 7, 2008, 04:39 AM	#23
BillCA Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca Posts: 7,117	I can't comment on this directly and my dad served in the USAAF flying B-17's out of Italy. And most of my other relatives who served have since passed. But my father did say that he asked a few ground-pounders in Italy about it when they had come off the line to the rear. Universally, their response is "Nah, the [Germans] can't hear it over the constant firing. In fact, sometimes it's easier to hear the ping from the guy next to you than your own." If anyone wants to see how fast a Garand can be fired and reloaded, rent a few episodes of the old Combat TV show and watch Pierre Jalbert ("Caje"). While these were modified blank-firing Garands, he can reload in about 1~1.3 seconds. I caught him talking about the show on a late channel one night. He actually bought his own M1 and practiced with it until he could empty 8 rounds in 5 seconds an reload in under 2 seconds. (yes, he said he had a callous on his shoulder from all the practice too!) __________________ BillCA in CA (Unfortunately)