The Firing Line Forums

Go Back   The Firing Line Forums > The North Corral > Curios and Relics

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 9, 2012, 07:39 PM   #76
1Hobie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: November 6, 2010
Location: west central Illinois
Posts: 277
wasn't this about a thumb thingy?
1Hobie is offline  
Old May 9, 2012, 07:41 PM   #77
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
Yes, go figure, but it tends to bring the old myths out of the woodwork and proves that in spite of all the facts to the contrary, some people are just determined to keep spreading myths, such as the Garand was never called the Garand by anyone until much later....etc. etc. etc.

Amsdorf is offline  
Old May 9, 2012, 07:47 PM   #78
Sport45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 1999
Location: Too close to Houston
Posts: 4,196
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1Hobie
wasn't this about a thumb thingy?
Yes. But he went wrong when he called it a Garand thumb instead of a M1 Thumb.

(At least that was what the malady was called when I first learned of it.)
__________________
Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.
Sport45 is offline  
Old May 9, 2012, 07:51 PM   #79
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
There he goes again.




No offense, but frankly, I'll take Julian Hatcher's expertise any day over those claiming the Garand was never referred to as the Garand until much, much later. Just ain't true.
Amsdorf is offline  
Old May 9, 2012, 08:21 PM   #80
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
If I were a moderator on this forum, I'd say, stick a fork in this one, it's done.
Amsdorf is offline  
Old May 10, 2012, 12:04 AM   #81
Sport45
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 25, 1999
Location: Too close to Houston
Posts: 4,196
I have no idea what they called the rifle in WWII. My dad used the '03A3 in basic and later qualified expert with the BAR. When I'm back home we have better things to talk about than what they called their service rifles then.

I was talking about pinching your thumb when you poke it into an action that hasn't been properly locked back. That was called M1 thumb when it was first described to me. The guy who told me about it wasn't a WWII vet, so maybe it doesn't count?

I do believe you won't get a M1, M14, M1a, or Garand thumb if you properly lock the bolt back before poking around inside an empty mag well or if you hold your thumb firmly on the top round and then pull it away smartly upon removal. At least no M1 I've handled would let the bolt fly home while my thumb was pressed down on the top cartridge. Having the back of your hand pressed against the bolt handle is added insurance.

Just relating my experience and couldn't care less when we started calling that particular rifle a Garand. I also don't worry about how to pronounce "Garand". I'm sure if he was alive he'd butcher my last name if he tried so I'll consider us even.
__________________
Proud member of the NRA and Texas State Rifle Association. Registered and active voter.
Sport45 is offline  
Old May 10, 2012, 03:09 AM   #82
gyvel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
LOL!! According to Garand's descendants, and Julian Hatcher, the family name rhymed with "errand." (See wikipedia.)

Actually, it was Americanized when the family moved to the U.S. from Canada. (Garand was born in Canada.)

It is a very common name in France and Quebec, and is pronounced entirely different than any American pronunciation. (More like "gair-aw" with no specific accent.)

Also, in the early 60s when I was in mandatory ROTC in college, it was called "M1 thumb," as if hours of marching with that 9 pound anchor in the nice hot, humid Florida sun wasn't punishment enough.
gyvel is offline  
Old May 10, 2012, 07:23 PM   #83
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
The rifle was known as the Garand before, during and after WWII.

It was referred to as the M1, it's military designation.

And you will not get the "full smash" Garand/M1 thumb from loading it, only while doing something stupid with an empty magazine and open bolt.

Them's the facts. The facts, and notin' but the facts.
Amsdorf is offline  
Old May 11, 2012, 08:06 AM   #84
1911Tuner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 17, 2004
Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills
Posts: 665
All Thumbs

"Garand Thumb" is real. I've seen it. It's also like lowering a hammer on a hot chamber. It can be done safely if done correctly. I've handled and fired a lot of Garands over the years, and my thumbs are fine.

When loading the clip or depressing the follower to let the bolt go home, place the back edge of your little finger into the curvature of the charge handle and keep it there while using your thumb. Depress/load until the bolt is released...and roll your hand forward and up. If your pinky is short, use the ring finger. Simple as that.

Most Garands that I've handled don't release the bolt suddenly when seating a clip. The majority of them won't go home at all until the charge handle is helped along after the clip seats.
__________________
If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck
1911Tuner is offline  
Old May 11, 2012, 10:06 AM   #85
gyvel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
Quote:
Most Garands that I've handled don't release the bolt suddenly when seating a clip. The majority of them won't go home at all until the charge handle is helped along after the clip seats.
Ah, but there's always that one...
gyvel is offline  
Old May 11, 2012, 07:34 PM   #86
Chris_B
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2007
Posts: 3,101
Hi all

I would like to point out again that the premise is not that "M1 thumb" is not a real thing. That's not the idea that was presented. Nobody has posted that M1 Thumb is a myth
Chris_B is offline  
Old May 11, 2012, 10:55 PM   #87
pvt.Long
Senior Member
 
Join Date: March 7, 2009
Posts: 433
There's always one time where the blot isn't locked back fully or your just not paying attention to what your doing, I even got garand thumb from my m1a(m14) one time, you don't forget it and it can turn your thumb and your language beautiful colors.
pvt.Long is offline  
Old May 12, 2012, 04:31 PM   #88
1911Tuner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 17, 2004
Location: NC Piedmont/Foothills
Posts: 665
One

Quote:
Ah, but there's always that one...
And that's why we put the back edge of our little finger against the charging handle.
__________________
If your front porch collapses and kills more than three dogs...You just might be a redneck
1911Tuner is offline  
Old May 13, 2012, 12:13 PM   #89
PhillipM
Junior Member
 
Join Date: June 15, 2010
Posts: 2
Timing

1911Tuner wrote
Quote:
Most Garands that I've handled don't release the bolt suddenly when seating a clip.
If they don't release with a full clip, they have a timing problem.

https://www.standardpartsllc.com/pro...?idproduct=109

PhillipM is offline  
Old May 13, 2012, 09:03 PM   #90
Winchester_73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2008
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 2,863
I remember the worst case of M1 grand carbine thumb I ever had was when I was shooting an 03 A3. Turns out when you close the bolt with your right hand, you should make sure you left hand's fingers are clear of the breech!
__________________
Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west
Winchester_73 is offline  
Old May 13, 2012, 09:37 PM   #91
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
Wow, that had to hurt big time.
Amsdorf is offline  
Old May 14, 2012, 05:29 PM   #92
Chris_B
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2007
Posts: 3,101
Quote:
I remember the worst case of M1 grand carbine thumb I ever had was when I was shooting an 03 A3. Turns out when you close the bolt with your right hand, you should make sure you left hand's fingers are clear of the breech!
have to call that one something besides M1 thumb though. How about "Springfinger"?
Chris_B is offline  
Old May 15, 2012, 03:57 PM   #93
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
Or "1903 Thumb"
Amsdorf is offline  
Old May 15, 2012, 04:42 PM   #94
Chris_B
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2007
Posts: 3,101
"1903 thumb" really doesn't roll off the tongue gracefully.
Chris_B is offline  
Old May 15, 2012, 06:32 PM   #95
amd6547
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 27, 2006
Posts: 2,313
"Dumb Thumb" rhymes nicely.
__________________
The past is gone...the future may never happen.
Be Here Now.
amd6547 is offline  
Old May 15, 2012, 07:30 PM   #96
Winchester_73
Senior Member
 
Join Date: December 20, 2008
Location: Pittsburgh PA
Posts: 2,863
Hey kids, I was just mocking this whole thread! I was kidding!

Anyways, there is another gun that could really tear off a finger or three...

...the Egyptian Hakim. I don't have any kind of a story about it, because after I let it close once, I was extremely careful thereafter. It got my imagination going on what damage it could do. Anyone ever get their finger caught by one?
__________________
Winchester 73, the TFL user that won the west
Winchester_73 is offline  
Old May 16, 2012, 04:43 PM   #97
Chris_B
Senior Member
 
Join Date: February 9, 2007
Posts: 3,101
Quote:
Hey kids, I was just mocking this whole thread! I was kidding!
I dunno, Win. An image of you with half a hand locked in an 03's breech is powerful and hard to let go
Chris_B is offline  
Old May 16, 2012, 07:57 PM   #98
Amsdorf
Junior member
 
Join Date: July 24, 2011
Location: Saint Louis, Missouri
Posts: 849
Actually, on another gun forum a guy did tell me, and he was not just BSing, that he did somehow manage to get a finger in the action on a 1903A3 and did himself a big disservice.
Amsdorf is offline  
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
This site and contents, including all posts, Copyright © 1998-2021 S.W.A.T. Magazine
Copyright Complaints: Please direct DMCA Takedown Notices to the registered agent: thefiringline.com
Page generated in 0.09409 seconds with 9 queries