AQT with M1Garand?

[m1agsr]

I've been practicing with the liberty set w/ a .22 but that got me thinking. How does one do an AQT w/ an M1Garand? Loading 2 and 8, 8s easy but how about the 2?

I've read that some places let you load 2, but none in chamber. When the load command is given, cycle the bolt and go to town. How is this done at Appleseed for shooting an AQT?

[navybowhunter]

You can look online, but the Garand can be loaded with 2 bullets in an 8 RD clip, if you cross them.  Lots of info on the net on how to do this.  I'm sure you can find a youtube video to explain it.

Another option is a 2 round clip, they can be found online.  I'm sure Fulton Armory sells em.

Appleseed AQT rules are a bit different than the CMP rules.  When I shoot CMP matches with the Garand for rapid fire, you "load" from the standing position, "with bolts closed on an empty chamber".  In this case, I simply insert an empty 8 rd clip, and "push" two rounds down into the clip, push clip down a bit with my thumb and send bolt home.

BACK To APPLESEED AQT's:  BIG lesson learned here.  IF shooting an AQT with a Garand, ensure ALL clips are loaded prior to the start of the AQT.  Trying to load en blocs in prep, is a PAIN!

Have Fun!

R/
Chris

[airplanejoe]

m1agsr, It looks like you're referring to the military way to load a partial clip (page 14,CMP booklet: US Rifle, Caliber .30, M1). The issue is: does "load" means a round in the chamber? Might be a good question for the AS gurus (AOC), I'm sure shot bosses will exercise their creativity and come up with many different answers.
aj

[Maximum Ordinate]

m1agsr, It looks like you're referring to the military way to load a partial clip (page 14,CMP booklet: US Rifle, Caliber .30, M1). The issue is: does "load" means a round in the chamber? Might be a good question for the AS gurus (AOC), I'm sure shot bosses will exercise their creativity and come up with many different answers.
aj

The instructor manual is quite clear when describing what the Load command means.  There is no creativity in the Line Comands.

"
"With X Rounds, Load" - (Not given during the transition stages [ie, Stages 2 & 3)

The shooters may now make their rifles ready to fire. Load the prepped magazines or clips into their rifles and chamber a round. Their safeties may be taken off, or disengaged. Those with tube fed rifles will remove their flags, chamber a round and disengage their safeties. The shooters should be in position, ready to shoot upon the appropriate command. Allow some extra time for shooters with tube fed rifles to continue loading, if necessary; however, you don't have to necessarily wait until they are finished loading before proceeding with the Line Commands."

(emphasis in red is mine)

Hope this helps,
Rusty

[m1agsr]

Yes, the range commands are very clear (when you can hear them). You get to a point where you just memorize the commands and hear "whats different".

The reply above explains it though, in that it's done different than at a CMP event. Probably easier to practice with an M1A, but the garand just.. gets me all tingly and warm inside.

[jmdavis]

Crossed rounds or even just dropping in a clip and then two rounds after you are in position.

Go and shoot a CMP M1 match at 200 yards. If you can do well on it, you can surely do well on the AQT.

[m1agsr]

I've been looking for more CMP matches in the area, not real big on going out to Ohio... yet. There's one in March at Ft. Meade I might go to though.

[navybowhunter]

M1AGSR,

I was the SB at your Rifleman event, congrats!  Glad to see you active on here.

Marriotsville, it is tough to hear line commands, cause of the single line.

Suggest getting or making 2 dummy rounds and practicing the crossed round thing.  I shot a KD at Ramseur awhile back, and there was absolutely NO SLACK given to those with Garands.  2 min prep, and guess who was fumbling around loading En Blocs!LOL

CMP match?  sign up for the CMP Eastern Games 29 April thru 9 May.

See ya on the line.

R/
Chris

[m1agsr]

Outstanding feedback all. I reload so I'll just whip up a couple dummy rounds and practice.

Chris - Sunday night after the event, I ordered a shooting mat and replacement magazines; but thats a story for another thread i think... some other day.

[eaglescouter]

There is more than one way to get this done.
Crossing two rounds is easy once you get proficient at it.  Takes practice like everything else.

Another method is to order a 2 round or a 2/5 round clip:
I carried a 2/5 for several years and loaned it to many an Appleseed student, ultimately one of them discovered they needed it worse than I did.  I hope they are using the heck out of it.

http://www.m1garand.com/store/m1_garand_2_and_5_round_reversible_combo_clip.html
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/311304/aggressive-engineering-m1-garand-clip-steel-parkerized

[hawkeye]

The nice thing about using a 8 round clip with two rounds crossed is that you can push the two rounds down far enough with your thumb that the bolt will over ride the rounds and close on an empty chamber, you have to watch the rounds to insure that happens. The heel of your hand is against the op rod handle to keep your thumb  safe. With practice this is fast and works well. I've  shot many AQTs with the Garand, no problem.

[DEH]

I don't know if it is against Appleseed rules (it is in NRA Highpower), but when I shot an AQT with a Garand at the "Load" command I loaded an 8 rd clip.  During the shot string when it 'dinged' I reloaded with another 8 rd clip and only shot 2 rds and ejected the remaining.

It may be against the writ but it still honors the spirit of the law which is to get off 10 rds with a mag change.

[m1agsr]

The nice thing about using a 8 round clip with two rounds crossed is that you can push the two rounds down far enough with your thumb that the bolt will over ride the rounds and close on an empty chamber, you have to watch the rounds to insure that happens. The heel of your hand is against the op rod handle to keep your thumb  safe. With practice this is fast and works well. I've  shot many AQTs with the Garand, no problem.

haha i know all to well what you mean by placement of that hand and thus the thumb. not from personal experience but I've seen videos and when i was probably 12 or so, my dad showed me how to manage the op rod on the m1a. It was just too much for me to shoot back then. Placement of that hand while inserting that clip is something i've never forgotten, but only practiced with a full 8 round set.

[airplanejoe]

Rusty, I Agree, the instructor manual is crystal clear; but, I remember in the not so distant past, the word was discretion (the end result was a number of folks being placed in  the penalty box). I like creativity better. Folks will find ways to do whatever they feel is needed. It's the AOC's job to nip possible problems in the butt before they become real problems. And loading 2 and then 8 with time constraints in a garand is challenging.
aj

[KodyJaret]

" nip possible problems in the butt" ?? 

That would be nipped in the 'bud'.

[Camljr]

" nip possible problems in the butt" ?? 

That would be nipped in the 'bud'.

Except Pit Bulls...

They always Nip things in the Butt....

[airplanejoe]

language barrier???
aj

[KodyJaret]

language barrier???
aj

No,,,I've got a thing for protecting established metaphors. It's the romantic in me....

[airplanejoe]

Then call it poetic license.
aj