Gun Safety, loading and firing the M1 Garand
Gun safety and the M1 Garand...It has some unique features that deserve special attention. Safely loading requires some technique but is easily mastered with a bit of practice. If loaded incorrectly, your thumb can be injured by the bolt slamming closed on it. This is commonly known as Garand thumb. No, you won't find that one on webMD.com! 
Loading procedure as follows: First, be sure the safety is on. The photo above left shows the 'on' or 'safe' position. Above right is 'off' or 'fire'. You will notice it takes some effort to move it and that is normal. If the bolt is closed, pull it back all the way until it locks in place. Make sure to keep the muzzle pointing in a safe direction. Hold the magazine clip in your right hand. Check that all eight cartridges are secured in the clip. The bullet tips should be in a fairly straight line. You will note the Garand's clip is symmetrical. There is no top or bottom designated.
You will load by pushing the clip down with your right thumb. There will be some resistance as the magazine follower is spring loaded. (above left photo) When the clip is in all the way, the bolt will pick up the top cartridge and slam forward under spring pressure. You must get your thumb out of the way before this happens! Here's how. Look at the above right photo and notice that the back of my hand (pinky finger) is held firmly against the bolt handle. This is to hold the bolt back long enough to get your thumb out. Allow the bolt slightly forward while pulling your thumb away. Once the thumb is out, lift your hand away quickly and the bolt can close on it's own. After a couple times this will be able to do this all in one smooth motion. If you watch you will see the bolt face pushing the first round into the chamber. The bolt lugs should rotate into the locked position. If not, give the bolt handle a palm slap. That's it. You are now locked and loaded... ready to aim and fire.
Civilian Marksmanship ProgramThe CMP is a government agency that offers affiliated gun club members opportunities to shoot competitively and to purchase surplus rifles. Teaching gun safety is part of their purpose. Their main purpose is training civilians with a priority on youth.The open bolt indicator shown below is used at CMP events. It is inserted in the rifle's chamber to show the range officer that the M1 is unloaded and safe.
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