Hunting Question

[Rowen3]

I have never used the garand on a hunt, but was considering this next rifle season. My question is this, when you use it to hunt, do you let the bolt slide over the first round for a clear chamber and then rack it for the shot, or do you keep one in the tube and trust the safety so to keep the noise down? Of course you should always do what makes you feel safe I was just wondering what some of you guys do.

[Orlando]

I dont hunt with the Garand but why would you treat it any different than any other rifle? One in the chamber and the safety on

[jbkf1003]

Didn't the Italians (and maybe USGIs) cut the tip off the safety to help with the noise? I know it allows you to engage the safety when the hammer is not cocked, but I thought it also made it quieter.

See:
http://www.ammogarand.com/m1-garand-safety-springfield-u-coded-195039s-53m119503953.html

[Rowen3]

I dont hunt with the Garand but why would you treat it any different than any other rifle? One in the chamber and the safety on

I've always been taught to keep the chamber clear until you're ready to engage your target unless your target can shoot back. Not saying you're wrong or dangerous; just saying that's how I was taught.

[Rowen3]

Didn't the Italians (and maybe USGIs) cut the tip off the safety to help with the noise? I know it allows you to engage the safety when the hammer is not cocked, but I thought it also made it quieter.

See:
http://www.ammogarand.com/m1-garand-safety-springfield-u-coded-195039s-53m119503953.html

Interesting. I had no idea.

[jak]

How much noise would you make racking the garand ? It seems to me all that noise and movement would spook any deer that's near you.
Also, if you are walking to your spot and you flush out a deer, you would waste a second or two loading the garand before you can aim and shoot.
That deer will be long gone. Just my opinion.

[jak]

Didn't the Italians (and maybe USGIs) cut the tip off the safety to help with the noise? I know it allows you to engage the safety when the hammer is not cocked, but I thought it also made it quieter.

See:
http://www.ammogarand.com/m1-garand-safety-springfield-u-coded-195039s-53m119503953.html

Yes, my safety like that is very quiet.

[Prince Humperdink]

I wait until I cross any fence,or gate to get to my spot and then load on into chamber and put the safety on.My finger never gets near the trigger until I'm ready to fire.

[Orlando]

I've always been taught to keep the chamber clear until you're ready to engage your target unless your target can shoot back. Not saying you're wrong or dangerous; just saying that's how I was taught.

You never done any rabbit hunting have you?

[Old Guard]

Orlando, You read my mind, I was sitting here quietly reading...I love to hunt for the cottontail and swamp varity..The only time my rifle or shotgun is not cocked and locked on safety is when it is being transported in the truck...Actually it is againest the law to be driving with it and to have the shells in it.. Some areas require you to be so many feet from any road before loading.....

[seaninmich]

I hunt with my Mini-G every year. 99% is from a blind. enter blind, chamber round, safety on. If you are slow and smooth, you can click the safety off without too much noise. I couldn't see me trying to chamber a round in the dead quiet woods with a deer in view.

[Rowen3]

Oh, I've done lots of squirrel and rabbit hunting, but always with a bolt or lever gun. I guess it's just so ingrained in me to rack the bolt or lever when bringing the rifle up I have just never considered anything else. For deer I have a smooth 03 Springfield that barely makes a noise, so toting it around with an empty chamber hasn't ever caused me to spook a deer. Guess that just goes to show that a person always falls back on their habits.

[Orlando]

You need to remember they put a safety on firearms for a reason and its not for a empty chamber

[Prince Humperdink]

These were all taken,over time,with a loaded chamber in the field(yes,I know I've shared these a billion times over the years)..
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/RyanDoe08.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/RyanDoe08.jpg.html)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/080.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/080.jpg.html)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/187.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/187.jpg.html)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/turkeys002.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/turkeys002.jpg.html)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/MuleDeer001.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/MuleDeer001.jpg.html)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/DSCN14931_zpsa78cdc38.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/DSCN14931_zpsa78cdc38.jpg.html)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr266/Bruner_Family/Hunting/deer001_zpsffcf8bb5.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Bruner_Family/media/Hunting/deer001_zpsffcf8bb5.jpg.html)

[cuppednlocked]

Hump, you have done well sir!

[Prince Humperdink]

Hump, you have done well sir!

Thanks Matt, So far I have used a different M1 for every animal.I like to know each one has helped feed my family.