Are you really suppost to just slam eight in the reciever and back your hand out before the bolt closes, is that the originals did it in world war two??

What I do is hold the charging handle back with the back edge of my hand (opposite of my thumb), load the clip in and let go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkUjswfbNaw...feature=related

Be careful. It will get your thumb if you aren't careful.

That's the best way to do it when you're new at it. After a while your thumb's reflexes improve, especially after it gets bit the first time.

That's sort if it, but the lighting is bad and ya can't really see very well.

Ya "blade" your hand pushing the bolt to the rear holding it open with the back side of your hand while pushing the enblock clip in with your thumb. Then quickly rotate the hand off the bolt & pull your thumb out of the action before the bolt slams into your thumb.

Or something like that anywhoo

I got the dreaded M1 Thumb years and years and years ago when shooting in a hi power match, did not even realize it till I looked down & blood was all over the receiver and I was missing a thubnail........

i've never even shot a garand.

From FM23-5

"12. Loading the Rifle

(a.) Single round. To load a single round, pull the operating rod all the way to the rear. While holding the muzzle below the horizontal, place a round in the chamber an seat it with the thumb. With a knife edge of the right hand against the operating rod handle, force the operating rod slightly to the rear. Push down on the follower assembly with the right thumb and allow the bolt to ride forward. Remove the thumb from the follower assembly and release the operating rod handle, allowing the operating rod to go all the way forward.

(b.) Full clip. To load a full clip, hold the rifle at the balance with the left hand and pull the operating rod handle all the way to the rear. Place the butt of the rifle against the thigh or on the ground. With the right hand, place a full clip on top of the follower assembly. Place the thumb on the center of the top round in the clip and press the clip straight down into the receiver until it catches. Swing the right hand up and to the right to clear the bolt in its forward movement. Note that the operating rod is not held to the rear during loading since there is no danger of it going forward as long as pressure is maintained on the top round in the clip. It may be necessary to strike forward on the operating rod handle with the heel of the right hand to fully close and lock the bolt.

(c.) Partially filled clip. To load a partially filled clip, hold the rifle in the same manner prescribed for a full clip. With the operating rod all the way to the rear, place an empty clip into the receiver. Place the first round into the clip and on the follower, to the left of the follower slide. Press the second round into the clip, exerting a downward, turning motion until the round snaps into place. Load the remaining rounds in the same manner. With the knife edge of the the right hand against the operating rod handle force the operating rod slightly to the rear. Push down on the top round with the right thumb, allowing the bolt to start the top round forward. Remove the right hand and allow the operating rod to go forward."

I've seen people get bit by the Garand while trying to close the action without an enbloc in the well but I have not seen anyone get pinched while loading one.

Welcome to the M1 Thumb Club. Some get to join via the thumb and some get to join by watching the thumbs of others.

Ain't only the thumb thats in danger!

I'm sort of an M1 newby, buying one late the year before last(2007).

An M1 rifle will try chamber any digit you present into the magwell!

I got my index finger mashed by not having the bolt fully back, just sort of hanging on the follower. I just reached in and SMASH!!

Not too long ago, a visiting friend wanted a look at my M1 rifle. I handed it to him with the bolt locked fully back. He had possession of the rifle for mere seconds before he chambered up a digit(also an index finger).

Maybe my musket just don't like thumbs?

I have just learned this the hard way.....OUCH!
I will be paying much closer attention to details from now on. I was trying to reload too quickly and kind of got ahead of myself. I would like ti think that this won't happen again.

I'm SURE it won't happen again.

Of all the loading of the M-1 I have done and seen, I never once saw anyone get M-1 thumb while loading. It always happens when trying to close the bolt on an empty chamber. I think it mostly afflicted those presenting for an inspection. Open the bolt, hand it over, get it back, close the bolt. Screaming, dropping to the floor and swearing a blue streak are generally frowned upon in that situation. Of course, Murphy has a sense of humor and the more formal the inspection and the larger the audience the more chance of getting bit goes up. I suspect a lot of right hand white gloves had blood stained thumbs between 1936 and 1957.

I got my M1 thumb when I was 17 years old and shooting a M1 in my 1st high power match, did not even notice it at 1st was concentrating so hard.

M1 thumb.
Watch any good WWII movie. Saveing Private Ryan, Band of Brothers. Look at the actor thumbs. A lot of them are bandaged. Watch Clint Eastwood handeling the M1 in Grand Toreino.