I don't know if any of us born after the war will ever be able to fully comprehend the shit that those guys had to go through. God bless your Dad for his bravery, and sacrifices.
@@DKD81 My father was a front-line infantry soldier in Germany in WWII. He named his gun with my mother's name although he never talked about his war experience. Can you tell me exactly what happens to the gun when it gets cold? What do you mean "so it will cycle"? I'm trying to learn as much as I can about my Dad's experience since he (like most other infantry soldiers) never talked about it and now that he's gone it's too late to ask the questions.
I agree. My father was one of those who fought on the front lines in Germany. He never talked about it and wouldn't answer questions. Thank you for your message.
I trained with a Garand when I was younger and I remember one day the instructor was demonstrating what would happen to your finger if it got caught by the bolt, and he demonstrated it with a popsicle stick, and the popsicle stick got smashed and he showed it to us "This is what will happen to your finger if the bolt closes on it", and then I went "Sir it'll turn into a popsicle stick?" - "Drop and give me 50 Cortez"
Appreciate the info. It's all the more special when it comes from an ancestor or parent. My grandfather served in Africa and Italy and even met Ike. The general sat down right next to grandpa in the field and started asking him how the war was going; sorts of questions an enlisted man wouldn't ask. That's when grandpa looked at the newcomer and realized that he, a sergeant, had been shooting the breeze with a man with stars on his helmet. Just one of many stories from the field, like how the local tribesmen would sneak up behind you at night and check your boot lacings: if you tied your boots like an Italian or German, you got your throat cut. Nothing like those stories.
In the Pacific, I think it was the citizens of the Philippines that would feel the back of your hair at night to check if you were either a Japanese soldier or a U.S Marine. Apparently, Japanese hair is more coarse than American. Must've been weird every now and then to feel a quick rush of air on the back of your neck, knowing you were being checked.
I want to hear more about your grandpa. How come they would kill ya' if you had your lacings tied? Also any other information about him in combat. It all seems interesting!
He was a Supply Sergeant to my understanding and I don't know of any combat stories. Apparently, according to my father's retelling of the stories, the tribesmen, (Arabs I think), would surround an encampment at night and look over the soldiers shoulders. Apparently they were familiar with the differences between Allied and Axis footwear and in the glow of the fire would choose to either kill or announce themselves based on lacing style. One would say, "American" and the encampment would about jump out of their skins, realizing they were surrounded, as if by ghosts. Other than that, one story was of how the unit was ordered to dig in, but the ground was so hard that the men just disturbed the top of the ground enough to say they had "dug in". That same night the Germans began the longest artillery barrage of the campaign, if not war, and by morning the men were using ladders and buckets, they had dug so deep. The last bit I can remember was the culture shock of Italy, were grown men and women alike didn't use out houses or toilets, but if they had to go in this particular town, the citizens would just squat in the gutters next to the roads, right in front of you. This practice probably doesn't continue today, but a professor of mine was from Milan and noted how primitive or corrupt much of Europe is relative to America. Only so much has changed.
I'm a Brit that lives in Indiana and I've always been fascinated with WW2 and firearms. The M1 Garand has been one of my dream guns to own since I was 5 or 6 years old. I appreciate you taking the time to teach us and god bless your father for his service.
@@NotQuiteSteele That sadly won't sell to me because I'm not a citizen. I'm a greencard holder and permanent resident with a FFL03 C&R and carry permit but they require you to be a citizen.
@@DeimosPC Some gun stores, and firearm focused pawn shops sell CMP certified M1s. I got mine just a few days ago, in incredible condition (Certified Expert Grade), and runs likes a dream. I don't think you have to be a citizen to get one from one of those places. Certainly not the cheapest, at around $1,800, but was well worth the price. It really is an incredible rifle.
Very Cool... about 15 years ago, Springfield made brand new M1s... I bought one for my dad who was in the U.S. Army in WWII. He was thrilled... he and I took it out and I loaded it and low-and-behold, I got the M1-thumb and my first response was "holy shit the freaking hurt!" and my Dad laughed his ass off and said welcome the M1 club! Great video you have here! Thanks for sharing!
Way cool to do that for your father. i have always wanted to buy one but have not had the money.. A ww2 vet who was like my grandpa passed a few years ago and had brought back an 8mm mauser packed in cosmoline? I think... well it was still in great condition and he had a stock saved also so we put it together and shot it.... All i could think was how terrifying it would have been to b shot at by that rifle.. the thing was gnarly. I shot clean through a good size oak log... i mean it made me tear up man thinkin what hands held that very weapon.... ppl my age dont seem to appreciate the sacrifices made for our freedoms. We say we do but not in our heart. Tell your dad thank you
You're right Caleb, I had the opportunity to tour a WWII submarine, the USS COD while I was in Cleveland a few months ago. I had a great love and appreciation for our WW veterans but that tour took it to a whole new level!
What a blessing to know that your Father served and also had the time to show you how she operated. Great pass down, would’ve love to have one in the family.
My grandpa was a WW II veteran, fought against italians & germans with the hellenic army. As i was told by my dad, he brought back home his rifle, manlicher sopenaouer, he considered trustworthy, more than people.He did not like war, always told me it is a bad thing, but you need guns to protect yourselve and your loved ones.
Sushi Midnight : Absolutely Untrue ! While US GI’s were forbidden to take any weapon back with them, have met and know lots of WW II Vets who brought back Duffle Bags Full of various rifles & pistols. Even Vietnam Vets were able to get their “souvenirs” back to the US by various means ! .
Greece fought against Italy fm oct 1940 till apr 1941.On apr 1941 nazis invaded greece.Greeks fought heroically for mire than a month, before the front was dropped.My grandpa had to walk from north birders to his home, abt 400 km, most if them carried their weapons back and hide it in order to use in during resistance later.Regarding ammo, as he told me they were kind if short, so the greek army usually issue them abt 200-250 rounds of manllicher sopenaouer 7.8mm.They had to take most of their ammo and weapon from the equipment the italian left back when they retreated.
+GoldenJokered - CS:GO Overwatches and More! I say screw the neighsayers that say it's a drawback of the weapon, in most situations you're not going to hear this over the sounds of fighting anyway. It just sounds too cool.
My father in law, a Cajun from Louisiana, also served in the 77th, which was the "Statue of Liberty Division", as it was organized for WWI of draftees mostly from New York and New Jersey. It was the first WWI division made up of draftees, and the seventh division sent to France in WWI. Regiments from the 77th made up the famous "Lost Battalion" on the western front. They sustained over 10,000 casualties in WWI. It was deactivated after the war, and reactivated for WWII, with the same 'Statue of Liberty' patch. The 77th would sustain over 9,000 casualties in WWII. My Father in Law, joined the division in the Philippians after the Japanese were defeated there. His first combat was Okinawa. He was a BAR man, so your M1 video doesn't apply to his experience. He was awarded the Bronze Star V, and the Purple Heart, wounded at the Maeda Escarpments, (Hacksaw Ridge) of the recent movie fame. He didn't know the name of the place then, he told me he didn't know were he was the whole time he was on the island. He learned all these names reading about it as an old man. He never used the term 'Hacksaw Ridge." He remembered climbing the rope latter they got from the Navy to fight. Then those who were still alive, climbed down for relief. He also told me of sharing a tent in the Philippians with a Seventh Day Adventists, who he remembered some guys making fun of, and who later was awarded the medal of honor, named Desmond Doss. He told me this information in the 1990's way before the famous movie. The two met at the D-Day Museum in New Orleans at the opening of the Pacific theater. Doss was older and very feeble, his wife or companion did all his talking. Maybe Doss worked on my FIL when he was wounded. My father in law's company was held in reserve for a long time on a troop ship, the battle had been going on for weeks (he believed) before he was sent ashore. He remembered sneaking on deck because it was so hot and crowded below and he was afraid of drowning in a sinking ship. He saw first hand the Kamikaze attacks and was very relieved to get ashore, although he didn't know what he was getting into. Since his company got to the fight so late, their job was to patrol for bypassed japs on their way to the front to join the rest of the division; which is where he earned the Bronze Star. They found a large group of bypassed jap soldiers, who were apparently feeling unusually safe standing outside of the mouth of a cave. He and another BAR man were ordered to jump out from hiding and kill as many as they could before they could retreat back into the cave. Which is what they did, and he described a horrible scene of those big 30.06 rounds hitting bodies from close range, as they shot from the hip, reloaded, closed and fired some more. He said the jabs were tripping over themselves, body parts, blood and the dead and wounded. They closed to the mouth of the cave, standing among the carnage, and fired into the darkness, when a large explosion from within blew them both on their asses. He cried everyday in his later years reliving those horrors. At the time we had not heard of PTSD. He had never told anyone the details of those days, not even his sons. I think he told me, because when I entered the family I was on active duty in the Navy. He also never got anything from the VA after his discharge, although he was recalled for Korea, but not sent to war when they found out he still had jap shrapnel in his back. I thought you might like to hear a little of the 77th.
A Fucking salute to that man! I’ve seen some pretty fucked up shit in Iraq but nowhere near what that man had to do. Thank you for taking the time to type that out. Stay Alert, Stay Alive brother 🇺🇸
Dylan Marsh American freedom was never in danger from Nazi rule. You're all the way across the ocean away from all the combat fighting in Europe. Keep your head in the ground for once you pretentious idiots.
Moe Ali Jaber Our American soldiers DID fight for our freedom. If America had stayed out of World War Two history would be very different than it is today. Eventually the Nazis and perhaps Imperial Japan would threaten our national security. We should be grateful that Our Nation would risk it's young men to save Mankind from tyranny.
Just came across this. In the '80s, I carried a Garand for 2 1/2 years as a member of the Langley AFB Honor Guard. Was not aware of the partial load method. (Or the gas plug, but that just makes sense when you think about it.) Thanks to you for making the video, and your dad for giving you the knowledge to do so.
***** so because you've supposedly been in combat, (I'm sure you haven't) you would know how loud combat is and almost impossible it would be to hear a ping over gun fire, explosions and at a distance.
Great vid, my grandpa was in ww2 and he wanted to be a paratrooper but he had flat feet causing him to walk with the tanks. He was also a radio man. He was shot in the radio and it electrocuted him, he was also shot against the side of is face almost hitting his eye. He told my dad a story saying how it was winter and him and some guys went into a farm house basement and found a wine cellar. While they were drinking the and Germans came in and instead of fighting, they drank with each other. The Germans got so drunk they passed out and because it was cold, they stole the socks off the Germans.
Jeth_____16 YT Not everyone wanted to be a bad guy, they even are doing this in the latest COD WW2 game, where the devs say that in one part a German solider will help you.
The CMP is great if you want to play the game and jump through a bunch of hurdles. If you just want a Garand without the bullshit then look at your local gun stores. Check a couple times a month and they'll turn up.
Very cool, especially the partially filled clip hack. My father served in the Cdn army beginning late1939. Bofors and bigger AA in Britain and 25 lb ers through Europe. Someone that served with him came over one night. I sat hidden around a corner after bedtime and got an education as the two men had a few drinks and talked about the war, vicious parts and other things less bloody violent, like my Dad having to round the gun crew up, each with raging hangovers.
You're the only one shooting? And the enemy is not shooting? So they can hear the sound of your clip exiting the rifle. In a shooting war there is a lot of NOISE going on! Unless all your comrades run out at the same time and the enemy knows when you are going to 'ping', they stop firing just before the 'ping' so they can hear the 'ping'? What an absurd scenario.
@@glennthomas7435 yeah in a big battle there's a lot of noise, but in a close quarter skirmish, let's say in the same building/trench, the enemy could have heard the ping. In a 1vs1 scenario, that it was very uncommon, but not implausible in WWII, the ping was clearly a disadvantage. But being the best standard rifle in the war quite compensated this problem.
@@glennthomas7435 firefights were not all Call of Duty style, there were multiple engagement and quieter areas and neighborhoods where the enemy could easily hear the Ping, sometimes soldiers even simulated it I like my grandpa to trick the enemy, but I'm sure you've seen enough combat to know that
Hearing words passed down or on such as these Brings such a sad sense of calm As I look at the words we have lost to deaf generations. Thank you for your service To all who have served
What a terrific idea! I got an M1 from CMP not long ago. I'm going to make a recording of a clip coming out of mine and do the same thing. What a terrific idea again!!!!
KfUaNnSsT 5 days ago can you put 1 round in the chamber + a full 8-round clip in the magazine, so you got 9 rounds loaded in the gun? No. Max load in the rifle is 8
+Kaydn “SocialHypocricy” Burns NO, you can't get 9 rounds in the weapon...you cannot close the bolt on an en bloc clip that has 8 rounds in it and have one in the chamber. It is physically impossible. Get your hands on an M1 and try it....you have obviously never handled an M1 before.
+Kaydn “SocialHypocricy” Burns There are plenty of rifles where that won't work. You can't do it on a Mosin, for instance, because it was never meant to have bullets in the internal mag but not in the chamber. 5+1 simply doesn't work on a Mosin, and again you wouldn't be able to close the bolt. I think you would find that to be very common on any gun with an internal magazine.
+Irenaeus Saintonge Um, not sure about that. Load 5 in a Mosin and one in the chamber. Then push the shell slightly down when you close the bolt. Not a big deal
Thank you for your video the way you explained it was probably exactly like your dad did with you. God bless him and the sacrifice that was serving during those trying times.
@@MrCoolguy425 it takes seconds to reload, if you're stupid enough to wait for the ping all you're doing is making yourself a target for 8 rounds fresh in the gun.
A Rather Livid Moose 1 second to reload is most definitely long enough for a person to pop up from cover with a LOADED weapon and shoot at the guy who just UNLOADED his weapon with a loud “ping” or at the very least shoot next to the guy reloading. Just because it isn’t American doesn’t mean he’s slower than a 70 year old getting up from a chair.
@@MrCoolguy425 Ok I worded it badly, I was referring to bayonets. People always say this about bayonets. But anyway who would be stupid enough to stand in the open while reloading
Very informative. Thanks to my army vet father I have enjoyed firearms since grade school. My father used to have a garand, loved it very much, I recall firing it once. Ever. Thought I'd refresh my memory on the loading process.
Good tips... however, the 5 round clip is needed for one important thing - Deer hunting. It's not legal in most places to have an auto that holds more than 5 rounds, so that clip is very important to hunters.
+REAL mc automatic is the general term for anything that fires rounds consecutively. Fully automatic is multiple rounds within one second. Don't speak if you don't know.
007Connecticut, thanks for a great video. Your father must have been quite a man. My late father was a veteran of WWII in the Pacific - he was in the U.S. Navy and saw service in both the Atlantic and Pacific - but he always had a lot of respect for the infantrymen of the Army and Marine Corps who did the fighting on land. And my dad pointed out something to me I had never considered before. Most of the men who were stationed in the Pacific - many of them, anyway - didn't get to take leave home during the war. Guys far-forward enough might only get to back to Pearl, maybe Australia or even one of the big U.S. bases in the Central Pacific. Guys in Europe, many of them didn't go home either, but at least they got to go to London or Paris on leave or something like that. No such luck for the grunts in the Pacific Theater. Nothing but Tokyo Rose and C-rats for dinner....
I’ve seen these rifles in movies and always wondered how they operated. Always curious about how much ammo a soldier carried and how the weapon was loaded. Very informative.
Great video sir, thank you for sharing your knowledge about this amazing rifle. And a thank you to your father for his service in defending this country
Awesome, thanks for sharing. I bet listening to your dads stories must have been so cool. Hope to fire a M1 one day. Thanks for sharing the knowledge your dad gave you.
I've had my M1 Garand for years and was fortunate enough to be warned in advance about M1 thumb. Was taught by my grandad who served with the Marines in the Pacific during WW2 everything I needed to know about the thumb buster. I was taught well and I love this rifle. It's one of the crown jewels in my collection.
@@sever6110 They are heavy. But compared to the old BAR the M1Garand seems light by comparison. I lugged one, and the ammo pouch belt with loaded mags on a hike years ago with a friend who legally owned it up into the mountains of central Nevada where we could shoot and not be a bother to anybody. That hike was a gut buster carrying that BAR. But I'd love to own one of those.
77thProductions No worries mate, but I was referring to me hearing it, lol, not that they heard the ping, I heard it and there's still a hundred jerries running at me while I fossick for a new clip & reload :) Where's that 100 shot clip gone!!! Hahaha
+jbones123 Hey there, he says in the video description that those were NOT live rounds. They're real bullets and brass, but there's no powder or primer in the casing.
When you shoot the rifle blank, the gas pressure will launch the grenade and the cartridge will eject. The red colored cartridge is a practice cartridge. It's only to play with the rifle without using real ammunition.
I watched this video a few years ago, but now that I just put an M1 on layaway at the pawnshop I'm saving your videos to a playlist. Wonderful video. Your dad must have been an amazing man.
I trained with the M-1 Garand in Basic Training, Apr-Jun63. After I was released from active duty I spent 15 Mo in the active reserves. about midway thru that they took away our M-1 Carbines & 45 Autos and gave us M-1 Garands. I was the only one in the unit familiar with the M-1 Garand so I had to give classes on the manual of arms & field stripping of the weapon.
Das WooTs Yea, it hasn't aged too well. The maps are way too constricted for what they were trying to do. Have you tried Red Orchestra?? If not you might really like it
From where I am army is mandatory and when I was in the training camp we had to shoot/training with the M1 The instructors where very meticulous about the loading and not getting your thumb cut or hurt. I was careful loading the gun and kept my thumb 😅 They gave us 4 round clips. I love it how easy it was to aim and shoot. All four whent right in bullseye.
Yeah, I got the M-1 thumb one time myself. I was used to the M-14, but I was standing inspection with an M-1 before a parade once, and when I did order arms after the inspection, I left my thumb in a moment too long, and didn't have the heel of my palm positioned correctly, and I paid for it. But you can't yelp while you're in formation. You just have to take the pain, and bleed.
I thank your father for his service to our great country. His sacrifice helped pave the way towards a free US. Eliminating the tyranny in Japan. I had two uncles that fought in the pacific theater also. One in the Navy, one in the Marines. While I was growing up in the 1970’s, I heard nothing but good about the M-1 from both of them. Thank you for the video post. Best of luck 🍀to you and your family.👍🏼 God bless
Joe Biernacki Yeah, it tells the enemy that ONE rifle is out of ammo, the rest of the squad is still loaded and probably had some LMG support.. Therefore it didn't really matter. The only time it would actually matter would be if you were alone, and the enemy knew you were alone.
