The Myth About the Garand "Ping"

[Amsdorf]

Myths circulate around about the "ping" noise the M1 Garand made when the last round from a clip was fired and the clip ejected. This video shows that clip being ejected, in slow motion as well, and then addresses the myth that the distinct "ping" sound made when the clip ejects gave troops away during WWII. Except for some very specific and particular circumstances, it is a total and complete myth that the "ping" noise was somehow endangering troops.

Here's why:

The Garand Ping Myth - YouTube

 

[Dekul34]

Sure, in a pitched battle the ping is no problem, you expect that while one guy is reloading the rest of them are still firing anyway, nobody's going to come charging out cause they hear a ping. But in a one on one engagement? Say a soldier cut off from his friends making his way through a building when he comes upon a couple Germans cooking their supper... bang, bang... ping! that third German hiding behind the wall is going to know he's out...

Still, it's not enough to damn the weapon it's a very fine rifle and 8 round semi-auto was better than what the Germans were fielding at least on the western front.

 

[gunnerbob]

In the pitch of a frefight involving multiple individuals with varying weapons blasting away, the only guy that's going to hear the "ping" is the guy behind that particular rifle... that's if he's listening for it, likely not.

As to the above situation, yes... if it is only an idividual or three with a limited amount of firing, sure they'll hear it. However, I doubt an experianced fighter would approach a group of enemy with an almost empty clip... you can actually very silently eject the chambered round and clip and replace with a new one before such an engagement were to take place.

 

[kerb]

I love the sound of that ping. Wish I could afford a Garand.

 

[JimPage]

Sure, in a pitched battle the ping is no problem, you expect that while one guy is reloading the rest of them are still firing anyway, nobody's going to come charging out cause they hear a ping. But in a one on one engagement? Say a soldier cut off from his friends making his way through a building when he comes upon a couple Germans cooking their supper... bang, bang... ping! that third German hiding behind the wall is going to know he's out...

Still, it's not enough to damn the weapon it's a very fine rifle and 8 round semi-auto was better than what the Germans were fielding at least on the western front.

Do you really think that after having a couple of 30-06 rounds go off in a house that someone can hear the ping of a clip???????

 

[fiasconva]

I'd like hear from someone who was actually in WWII and in a battle before I make any judgements.

 

[mappow]

As a mass of 30-06 M1 Garands are going off around you. (Please keep in mind you'll probably have not OSHA approved ear plugs) YOU think anyone other then the rifleman will really hear the PING on ejection? Which might be a mute point as if you're really are going to hear anything else as rounds are continually busted off around you. Anyone else shot an M1? Definitely a head turner at the range...

 

[Amsdorf]

"I'd like hear from someone who was actually in WWII and in a battle before I make any judgements."

Duh....as I said in my video I have spoken to *many* vets and they all say the same thing, the "ping" story is bullsxxt.

 

[fstroupe]

To be honest, though I have read about "the ping" in novels, no person I have ever talked to that fired an M1 Garand extensively ever mentioned it, my dad included. We have talked a lot about his rifle qualification experience, as he is nearly blind in his right eye and shot with his left eye, which made every round hit him after ejection. (they had deflectors for left-hand shooters, but were out of them) He went through basic training in 1955 and never fired one in combat.

 

[UATKP]

I went through training with an M1 in 1955 and was issued one in 1958, and never had to use it in combat. By the time VietNam rolled around I was issued an M-14.
But I also think the 'ping' point isn't really a point at all.