What is a “Garand Thumb”
“Garand thumb” is a term used to describe a common injury that can occur when using the M1 Garand rifle. This rifle was used by the United States military during World War II and the Korean War. The injury happens when the shooter’s thumb gets caught in the ejection port while the clip is being ejected from the rifle. Ouch! It can be very painful and cause bruises, lacerations, or even a broken thumb.
To avoid this injury, it’s important to follow proper safety procedures when handling the rifle. Keep your fingers away from the ejection port while loading and unloading, and use a loading tool or your other hand to guide the clip into the magazine. Safety always comes first!
