...Advice on Preventing "Garand Thumb"...

[stansdds]

I think ever M1 is different due to tolerances, etc. My two could not give you an M1 thumb, unless you were messing around with an empty rifle. I have two, and both of mine require the above mentioned slap on the op rod with the heel of your hand to get the bolt to run home on a full clip.

That is the way they are supposed to work, but worn parts can lead to the bolt closing upon insertion of the clip.

 

[Sistema1927]

I put a "Holbrook Device" in my Garand many moons ago. I don't think that John Holbrook is around any more, but this nifty drop in addition not only keeps you from getting M1 Thumb, it also keeps the empty clip from ejecting unless you want it to. This allows single loading from the top of rounds as well.

If I wanted to I could convert my Garand back to original configuration in less than 5 minutes. If mine was a battle veteran I might not use it this way, but as a 5.9 million Springfield from 1956 it didn't see any combat. I also have an adjustable gas plug, so you can tell that I am not a Garand purist.

 

[ACP230]

I got M1Thumb once in JROTC.
Not since. Once was enough, eh?

A flannel shirt I used to wear had a small, half round nick
in the front of it from an M1 bolt. That didn't hurt, however.

I had a International Harvester Garand "issued" to me in JROTC.
Wish I'd bought one when they were more available and less
expensive.