As I said I was going to do a few posts ago I took my old M1 out to shoot yesterday and it was cold, blustery, and spitting rain off and on and it wasn’t so Garand. The only ammo I had handy was some 155gr loads for my AIAT that are probably a little hotter than I would normally shoot in the Garand. The first round struck the steel IPSC silhouette at 100yds with a very pleasing CLANG.
I noticed the brass as it skidded across the deck and into the yard and then looked back for a second shot. I noticed the target swinging side to side instead of the usual back and forth. Well Crap, so I unloaded and walk down and find the bolt on the left side had sheared off about an inch below the head. I smirked at it because I had stopped by the barn and grabbed a replacement bolt on the way down. Yep, momma didn’t raise no fool.
I headed back to the bench.
I carefully load the clip with the seven remaining bullets so not to dump them about and settle down behind the sights. I cringe a little at the cold air blowing up my backside and then let number two rip. CLANG, God I love that sound and as I’m ginning ear to ear, I notice the target swing side to side and the right bolt broke. DANG IT, I stand up pull the bolt back, hit the clip release and watch the clip and six rounds fly out of the gun, off the table, across the deck, and into the yard.
Screw it I picked up my crap and went in the house. Merry Christmas!