Garand Thumb; Fact and Fiction

[HackerF15E]

Gotta laugh -- this is from the YouTube page:

It is a myth that you get when loading a full clip into the Garand.

This is clearly a dude who never performed any military service with a Garand. As you guys have mentioned, Garand Thumb is a result of trying to close an open bolt on an empty magazine. Never heard anyone ever say it had anything to do with a full clip.

 

[ronny]

Gotta laugh -- this is from the YouTube page:



This is clearly a dude who never performed any military service with a Garand. As you guys have mentioned, Garand Thumb is a result of trying to close an open bolt on an empty magazine. Never heard anyone ever say it had anything to do with a full clip.

Sure you have! Just look up. Out of a 250 man Company of new recruits, I'll guarantee there will be an M1 thumb or two. They always managed to find a way.

I agree, however, that the majority of these incidents were with empty magazines.

 

[Buzzdraw]

If you allow the side of the palm, the part beside the little finger, to fully contact the op rod "hook" there is no way (almost) to get Garand thumb. The palm in the hook pulls the shooter's hand away from the chamber every time.

It is possible to fail to fully catch the op rod backward, by short stroking it to the top of the mag cartridge follower. The gun appears to be safely locked open. It isn't if you bump the follower, as you would by placing your thumbnail in the chamber, using the nail as a mirror to view the bore. That's just one more way to see the white stars on the dark background that is Garand thumb; ouch!

 

[HMFIC]

I was always taught to blade and then also pivot upwards at the wrist as you release. Works every time.

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[ldp4570]

I was always taught to blade and then also pivot upwards at the wrist as you release. Works every time.

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This!!!!!!!!

 

[ronny]

Agree! Works every time if you've got a brain. However, back in the old days, there were some recruits who didn't.