U S Soldiers with there M1 Garands

[Mike Haas]

Yup..posed pic. Note there isn't a Pilot or Co-pilot in the background.

Rob

Yes, but it's not safe to have one locked and loaded in a close compartment like that out of action...doesn't matter, that would be a posed photo...he was told to bring the Tgun up so it could be seen I'll bet...

[ed skeels]

For all the mayhem when the "gliders" landed (impacted) I don't think I would like to be around anything chambered.
I readily doubt if any of the designers of those incredible machines ever took a ride in one.
Ed

[Paul S.]

Then there is this: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...lider_USAF.jpg

Chase CG 20 all metal glider that later evolved into the Fairchild C123 Provider used as a transport and Agent Orange spray aircraft in Vietnam.

[Cosine26]

On the early Thompsons (pre M1 and M1A1), which used the drum magazines, the bolts must be open prior to inserting the drums as they slide in from the side. A steel slug was furnished so that the slug was the first up in the magazine. The drum was inserted with the bolt open, then the bolt could be closed and the slug would fall out. You then had a M1928A1 with a loaded drum with the bolt closed. As I remember it, the 20 and 30 round "stick" magazines could be inserted with a closed bolt, but its been 70 years since I handled a Thompson.
FWIW

[browningautorifle]

Side note on that one, if you load the drum and insert as stated, then close the bolt without a round topmost...you can wind the drum after and achieve the same. Just count clicks...

I've never seen a steel slug as described...unless it's the half brass half steel I have in the collection. But I thought that was for training.

[Cosine26]

That is it. Remember I said it has been 70 years

[browningautorifle]

70 years

True, I want to hear the rest of the stories... All of them...

[imntxs554]

What I like to hear is if anyone has gotten to a Shoot a M3 or "Grease Gun" and find out how they implemented the Top cover to act as a Safety. I know it has to be open to expell the casings. When I looked at that Army Training video I sure would like to Shoot one. Since it shoots the same Caliber as the "Tommy Gun" (.45) what was the biggest difference in the 2 other than the design. I guess if I ever get back to Las Vegas I'm going to have to go to MGV to rent one. When I have gone (a few times) I usually rent something European or Israeli. But that video has gotten me to want to shoot one just to feel how it Shoots and Performs for myself. It looks fun.

[browningautorifle]

Well Frank, I owned one for a while...and it runs about 300 RPM. The cover was just that, the safety. It held the bolt shut. You could tap out single shots or hold the trigger for the slow auto fire. It was utilitarian as opposed to the Thompson which was a machinist's treat. Mine worked fine...I had ten mags too. I also had an Uzi, Sten, PPSH, Metric FN, Thompsons of both '28 and M1...what else?

[imntxs554]

I would say that the vast majority of gliders that those Soldiers encounter are going to be from the WWII era. The US army stopped glider training shortly after WWII and the medal or badge that was being asked for to satisfy the Pilots or to the Soldiers flying in them were wanting a badge and sure enough the US Army made then and these I read were worn proudly. I guess if you lived through the transportation of being in one. I can see why they were worn proudly.