From: bartbob@aol.com (Bartbob)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Garand 1 round clip question
Date: 15 Dec 1995 12:15:51 -0500

The single-round loading enhancement device (SLED) for M1 rifles
was invented by Don McCoy at the Navy Small Arms Match Conditioning
Unit, San Diego CA, in the early 1970s.  It is a modified standard clip.
A prong is on its left side whose top snaps under the left rail of the M1
receiver.  That keeps it in place from shot to shot.  A screwdriver is
used
to pry that prong clear of the receiver so the SLED can be ejected.

Yes, the SLED stays in from shot to shot.

BB

From: bartbob@aol.com (Bartbob)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: M1 Garand as Single-Shot
Date: 20 May 1997 11:03:19 -0400

If you M1's trigger group has the sear points properly fit with correct
tolerances, you don't have to worry about slam fires.  After all, many
thousands of folks have single-round loaded the M1 in competition without
any slam fires.

To single load the M1 without a SLED, do this.  This works very well with
the rifle slightly elevated like in prone and quite well with the muzzle
pointed up as in standing.

 First, put the round part way in the chamber with its head even with the
front of the follower.

Second, put your thumb behind the case head on the follower, then with
your fingers under the floorplate and the heel of your hand against the op
rod handle.
Third, at the same time, press the follower down with your thumb that's
holding the case head about half an inch out of the chamber while pushing
the heel of the hand back on the op rod handle to disengage the catch;
about 1/4th inch is enough, then let the op rod ease forward carrying the
bolt to override the follower by about half an inch, finally get your
thumb out of the way and let the op rod fly forward chambering the round.

Once this single-round loading is mastered, you can do it with ease.  This
is how it was done since 1937 until the 1970s when Don McCoy made the
first single-load enhancement device (SLED).  It takes some dexterity,
practice and understanding of what's happening.  If one has difficulty,
get someone to show and help you master this procedure.  Once you've got
the hang of it, you may well prefer to do single-loading the original way
and not mess with the SLED.

Regarding hangfires with M1s (M14s too, for that matter), I've never seen
a fired case from one that had a very slightly dimpled primer.  Every one
of several dozen I've seen had a fully-indented primer indicating the
firing pin was driven hard and completely into the primer.  Which means
that as the bolt slammed home, the shock of this disengaged the hammer
hooks from the sear and let the hammer go forward striking the firing pin.
 This is common with M1 trigger groups that have had the hammer hooks and
sear points smoothed up to reduce engagement and make a decent competition
trigger but the hammer-sear engagement is not enough to work as the bolt
slams around during loading and rapid firing.