minor accident

[Roadkingtrax]

Very good explanations Gus...

So in most basic terms:

1. To properly chamber a loose round (no clip, no mag)...you only need the minimal amount of travel needed out of the bolt. 1/2-1/3 the distance of full open in my experience.
   
2. Whenever possible, always use the side of your palm to move the op-rod on a loaded rifle...to minimize exposure to injury.

[Art]

Gus

I own a different variety of the SLED than you describe and use it pretty often. It's simply a piece of yellow plastic that is inserted into the magazine and locks in place just like a full clip. It has a grooved top that a cartridge is placed in. Mine ejects just like a full clip would by depressing the clip release on the M1. I've had it for several years and it functions flawlessly.

[Gus Fisher]

Very good explanations Gus...

So in most basic terms:

1. To properly chamber a loose round (no clip, no mag)...you only need the minimal amount of travel needed out of the bolt. 1/2-1/3 the distance of full open in my experience.
   
2. Whenever possible, always use the side of your palm to move the op-rod on a loaded rifle...to minimize exposure to injury.

Very nicely put and thank you for the kind words.
Gus

[Gus Fisher]

Gus

I own a different variety of the SLED than you describe and use it pretty often. It's simply a piece of yellow plastic that is inserted into the magazine and locks in place just like a full clip. It has a grooved top that a cartridge is placed in. Mine ejects just like a full clip would by depressing the clip release on the M1. I've had it for several years and it functions flawlessly.

That's great there is a different style out there that I have not heard of before. Do you remember where you got it?
Gus

[Gus Fisher]

Just thought about this. Another way to say it is when loading a Garand with a single round in the chamber, you are actually lessening if not defeating some of the designed in safety features for normal operation. So you have to make up for that by easing the op rod into place.

[Maury Krupp]

Or you can do what FM 23-5 has said to do since 1936. Here's the 1951 version:

"TO OPERATE THE RIFLE AS A SINGLE LOADER

With the receiver empty, pull the operating rod to the rear until it is caught by the operating rod catch. With the right hand, place one round in the chamber, seating it with the thumb. With the palm of the right hand against the receiver, the rear edge of the right hand against the operating rod handle, the fingers extended, joined, and pointing downward, force the operating rod handle slightly to the rear; push down the follower with the right thumb; and permit the bolt to ride forward about one inch over the follower. Then remove the thumb from the follower and release the operating rod handle. The operating rod must be allowed to go forward by the force of its expanding spring. It must not be slowed in its forward movement by contact with the hand. If the operating rod is not completely released, the bolt may not lock; when this occurs, the rifle may not fire when the trigger is squeezed."

To view TF 9-1172 and see all the "kneebone-connected-to-the-shinbone" action of an M1 go here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJJeBXZeVZU

Something other than the normal loading and operation of an M1 Rifle was going on here

Maury

[Gus Fisher]

Great Post, Maury,

That would slow down the bolt momentum enough that it would normally not go off unexpectedly, as well.

[Art]

That's great there is a different style out there that I have not heard of before. Do you remember where you got it?
Gus

I don't remember where I got it but if you want to see what it looks like I did a google search and found one just like mine, made of polymer at Sportsman's Guide, their version is called the M1 Garand Single Shot Adapter and is currently sold out. Midway has a similar one made out of Aluminum called the Kustom Kraft Single Shot Adapter M1. Midway has two reviews of the Kustom Kraft version, one is glowing and one says the aluminum is very susceptible to malfunction as it wears; I've had no such problem with the polymer version.

To use one of these insert it into the magazine like a clip and close the bolt over it. The adapter will lock in place. To load open the bolt and place a round on top of the device and then depress the follower while restraining the op rod handle with the knife edge of the hand just like you would for inspection arms. When the bolt releases simply remove your thumb and ease the bolt forward. Works like a champ for me. When finished shooting just depress the clip release and the device pops out just like a full or partial clip would.

[Bob S]

Or you can do what FM 23-5 has said to do since 1936. Here's the 1951 version:

[I]"TO OPERATE THE RIFLE AS A SINGLE LOADER

...

Maury

The Navy Mk2-1 was my first service rifle, and that's exactly how we were taught. It's how I still do it to this day, 45 years later.

Resp'y,
Bob S.

[Griff Murphey]

I have always used the FM-23-5 single loading technique. I had two slamfires with one 7.62 (coincidentally) M-1 in the 1960's and had the trigger group gone though and repairs made and this has not recurred with that rifle, which I still own, and use. I would advise that rifle be looked at very carefully.

It may be that we are seeing some less expertly built rilfles, or some of the trigger group parts that are used today are out of the bottom of the barrel.