All,

I am involved in a discussion (argument) about the technically correct use of the phase 'Lock & Load'. I say it is, technically speaking, only applicable to weapons which fire from an open bolt. The opposing group say that it applies to all semi-auto weapons. What say you?

Scott

When I served in the US Army (1950-53) the term "Lock and Load" was used on the firing range to inform those on the line that they should put their weapons on safety and load a clip into their M-1's prior to taking firing positions.

In combat, soldiers were given the same orders (or instructions) when a firefight or shooting situation appeared to be imminent.

It may be different today.

I thought it referred to locking the magazine into the well and loading a round, but now I'm starting to doubt myself...

I participate in several matches a year as a member of my Air National Guard unit's weapons team. The term 'lock' is not a command I've ever heard. The term 'load' requires us to insert a magazine in to the weapon. The command on the firing line goes, "With bolts forward, load." If it's a timed string, the next command will be 'action' instructing us to cycle the bolt. 'Instant' signals us to switch from safe to semi.

I'm with Terry Beaver,

Using the M1 Garand you do "lock" (pull the bolt to the rear until it locks open, and then engage the safety), and then "load" (insert a partially or fully loaded clip and chamber a round).

IIRC we did it the same way with the M14 except, of course, you inserted a loaded magazine instead of a clip. Not as sure about this though.

No idea what they are doing with that new fangled plastic gun.

My 2 cents worth (and you'll get change back),

I asked this same question some years ago as, to me, it sounded backwards. I thought it would be more accurate as 'Load and Lock' as in 'Load' a magazine and then 'Lock' the action. So I went to my resident experts...

...My good friends who served in Vietnam are in agreement that, at least during that era, the term 'Lock and Load' referred to 'Locking' a magazine into the well and then cycling the action to 'Load' a round. They also agree that the term pre-dates them and could very easily have meant a different set of motions in a different time and on a different weapon. I have never heard that it only applies to open bolt systems, but there's a lot I've never heard. The guys posting about the M1 sure sound convincing to me.

Good Question,
XWind

I have no idea where the phrase came from but it is still used today to command soldiers to lock a magazine in the magazine well and load a round in the chamber. Can be used on the range or during pre-combat checks, prior to crossing a Line of Departure etc... to make sure everyone is in the proper condition of carry. I don't know how many times I said that phrase in 20 years, brings back memories.
JD

I've always heard the lock and load meaning lock the bolt back on the M-1 and load an 8rd en bloc

Sound s like a question for R. Lee Ermy!

"With bolts forward, load." This must be a pidgeon thing. If it was ever said on a CF range you'd get stared at incomprehensively. It means nothing. It's not a proper range command.

I always understood the term to mean load, safe your weapon and prepare for contact.
Covey16

Thanks gentlemen for your insight. Here is what I was told, by an old man many moons ago, and my understanding of the proper or more accurately original use of the phrase.

First one must define "load". Load shall be defined as follows. A weapon is loaded when a ammunition has been placed into the weapon in such a manner as that the only input required of the shooter to make said weapon go bang is to pull the trigger.

Way back when battle rifles had bolts, there was no command "lock and load" for combat rifle squads.

I was told the term was used originally for machine gunners. It later applied to submachine guns and squad automatics weapons (BAR in the US). All of these weapons fire from the open bolt. So when commanded to "lock and load" one does the following:
1.) Pull back bolt until it locks open. This is cocking the weapon, by the way if it fires from an open bolt.

2.) Insert magazine or belt. The weapon is now loaded.

When commanded to fire, one simply squeezes the trigger and the weapon goes bang until either the trigger is released or the ammunition is exhausted, or barrel blows up (a bit extreme but possible).

That is the education an old veteran gave me, and makes perfectly logical sense to me.

With the M1, M14, and M16 one must:

1.) Pull back bolt and manually lock it with the bolt hold back lever. I know the M1 will lock by itself. Weapon is now locked open and cocked.

2.) Insert magazine or enbloc clip in case of M1. This step is a precursor to loading.

3.) Manually unlock the bolt. This is accomplished by pulling back slightly on the charging handle or depressing/pulling on the bolt hold back lever. The weapon is now loaded.

To me this process is more like a 'lock, prime, & load'.

I think Kentucky Nimrod had the best idea. Someone should send this question to 'Mail Call' and see if it makes it to the TV screen!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone.

Scott

The current commands in the Marine Corps are "Load" and "Make Ready". I'm not too sure about the M2, but on the M240G the bolt is supposed to be in the forward position when the belt is laid on the feed tray, not to the rear.

So the commands instruct you to insert a magazine or belt into the weapon on "Load", then cock the gun or chamber a round (rifle/pistol) on "Make Ready". This has become so prevelant that it's been a while since I've heard anyone use "Lock & Load" before crossing the LD in a live fire range. We all use "Load & Make Ready" so the younger Marines understand us.

Bob

Good Idea!

I sent an email to him today. I'm sure he'll read it later today.

I thought it was used among single males before entering a nightclub, the implication being that a serious mission to get laid was at hand....

The correct phrase in service rifle shooting has changed with time and with the rifle.

"Lock and load"--in that order--referred to the M1 Garand and ordered you to put the rifle on safety before loading.

Typically this was heard in rapid fire, where you CANNOT load two rounds without closing the bolt on the first one.

Currently you will hear, "With two rounds load." This refers to the M14/M1A and the M16/AR15. It means you should insert a magazine that has two rounds in it (load) but do not close the bolt. Since the bolt isn't closed, it does not matter if the safety is on.

I forget what the 03A3 Springfield was, but it is possible to "lock and load" with it too. Nowadays, when shooting a rapid fire string with a bolt rifle, the match shooter does not close the bolt until commencing to fire.

For slow fire matches, where only one round is loaded at a time, the same commands may be used.