I've heard it used plenty of times, probably have said it myself a few times, but was never really sure of the meaning. Does anyone know for sure? I assume some gunnery sgt. or gunners mates know the true meaning. Thanks- rsambo
rsambo
This is from http://www.sproe.com/l/lock-and-load.html...
"The origin of the phrase "lock and load" is not entirely clear, as there are two similar, yet distinct, explanations for its origin. Regardless of its exact origin, the phrase has come to relate to any activity in which preparations have to be made for an immediate action.
One explanation of the phrase comes from the actions needed to prepare a flint lock rifle for firing. In order to safely load a rifle of this type it was necessary to position the firing mechanism in a locked position, after which the gun powder and ball could be safely loaded into the rifle barrel without any chance of the rifle misfiring.
The second explanation is that the phrase (as "load and lock") originated during World War II to describe the preparations required to fire an M1 Garand rifle. After an ammunition clip was loaded into the rifle the bolt automatically moved forward in order to "lock" a round into the chamber."
"The origin of the phrase "lock and load" is not entirely clear, as there are two similar, yet distinct, explanations for its origin. Regardless of its exact origin, the phrase has come to relate to any activity in which preparations have to be made for an immediate action.
One explanation of the phrase comes from the actions needed to prepare a flint lock rifle for firing. In order to safely load a rifle of this type it was necessary to position the firing mechanism in a locked position, after which the gun powder and ball could be safely loaded into the rifle barrel without any chance of the rifle misfiring.
The second explanation is that the phrase (as "load and lock") originated during World War II to describe the preparations required to fire an M1 Garand rifle. After an ammunition clip was loaded into the rifle the bolt automatically moved forward in order to "lock" a round into the chamber."
"Meaning" is the key word here not origin. Anyone who has ever been on a US Army firing line knows exactly the meaning. Commands from the range officer located in his tower, "Lock and load one twenty round magazine. Ready on the right? Ready on the left? The range is ready, commence firing." Lock and load simply means lock your safety and load a magazine into your weapon or at least that's what it meant in 1966 when I was in Basic Training.
The term LOCK is derived from the hammer assembly part of a firearm.
An earlier similar phrase that used the term LOCK was the phrase LOCK, STOCK, and BARREL. It has come to mean "all that is necessary to complete a task".
The early use of the word LOAD usually meant a ball and patch and powder, but also meant performing the task of loading a weapon.
An earlier similar phrase that used the term LOCK was the phrase LOCK, STOCK, and BARREL. It has come to mean "all that is necessary to complete a task".
The early use of the word LOAD usually meant a ball and patch and powder, but also meant performing the task of loading a weapon.
M1's don't need to be locked back manually in a fire fight (they lock themselves back after ejecting the spent clip), and soldiers out and about in a combat zone will already keep them loaded and safeties on (if they are smart). At Gunsite that was called "cocked and locked". On the firing line, guns are kept with bolts open so the RO's can see live ammo (at least, they are today, and plastic safety flags are now also put in the action to prove it is not in operable condition), though "lock" in that context may simply mean to set the safety before loading? That is how the M1 range commands are given at Camp Perry today (safeties on, and with # rounds, load). So the command to lock and load a modern weapon would have to apply to the range loading sequence or to an emergency grabbing of Garands from stacking or from racks, wherein the guns would be kept unloaded and bolts closed to keep dust and dirt out. Under that condition the op-rod would have to be manually pulled back to lock the bolt open before loading.
Those are all pretty specific situations. I like the muzzle loading sequence, but have no clue as to the historical validity of any of the explanations?
(Later)
The Wikitionary thinks it is modern and is either my safety explanation or refers to loading open breech firing mechanisms, like machineguns. I never know how much faith to put in any given Wiki-anything entry, having seen many errors, but this one at least has some references.
Those are all pretty specific situations. I like the muzzle loading sequence, but have no clue as to the historical validity of any of the explanations?
(Later)
The Wikitionary thinks it is modern and is either my safety explanation or refers to loading open breech firing mechanisms, like machineguns. I never know how much faith to put in any given Wiki-anything entry, having seen many errors, but this one at least has some references.
Wikitionary said:
Now this is getting really interesting.
1. The machine gun reference makes perfect sense. It also fits for the M1. Wouldn't troops be carrying the rifle unloaded w/ the bolt closed until ready to go into combat? At that time they'd have to "lock" back the bolt and "load" the 8 round clip.
2. Who was the Duke yelling at in the movie? ANd what firearm were they carrying?
1. The machine gun reference makes perfect sense. It also fits for the M1. Wouldn't troops be carrying the rifle unloaded w/ the bolt closed until ready to go into combat? At that time they'd have to "lock" back the bolt and "load" the 8 round clip.
2. Who was the Duke yelling at in the movie? ANd what firearm were they carrying?
Leverite,
You are correct about the Wiktionary's roots. If you go to their main page, it says, in part:
That said, I don't see why a Garand's operation would not fit the safety-and-load definition of cocked and locked? At matches they tell us to put the safety on before loading all the time. It's to prevent accidental hammer following when the action closes on a round. The bolt is already locked open at that point, so whether "locked" refers to the bolt or the safety is then almost in the eye of the beholder. Both are required for loading the Garand. The M14 and M16 can have their magazines loaded with the bolt closed, but the safety requires the hammer to be cocked, so, again, bolts have to opened at some point to cock the hammer before the safety can be set. You could do that and then close the bolt again while you put the magazine in, and carry the thing cocked and locked over an empty chamber, but that would not be normal loading practice. I don't see what purpose it would serve?
For the 1911, you are correct that lock and load with the safety defining "locked" cannot apply as the safety can only be set with the hammer cocked and the safety will block operating the slide after it is set. It is common, as I used it in the last paragraph, to refer to the hammer-cocked-and-safety-on condition as "cocked and locked". So the use of "locked" as referring to setting the safety is not unusual. If you accept the safety as defining "locked", then with the 1911 you have to load and lock, rather than lock and load. On the other hand, if you use "locked" to refer to the slide release holding the slide in counterbattery, then it can still be locked and loaded.
Two kinds of "locked" to choose from. What's a body to do? We still don't have an authoritative reference to say who first used the phrase, or in what context? We need a volunteer search for the earliest sighting.
You are correct about the Wiktionary's roots. If you go to their main page, it says, in part:
In other words, the accuracy of the definitions depends on readers to police it and correct it if they have reason to know it is wrong. If I look through technical information in the Wikipedia, I usually find errors if it is on a topic I am fluent in, but I also find they've been tending to improve over time, so I think the grand concept will ultimately work out. The problem is that the system gives the impression the answers are authoritative whether they actually are or not? Nobody should be fooled that any scholars are paid to verify or check anything Wiki. It's just people like us, on line, writing down whatever we think we know.
That said, I don't see why a Garand's operation would not fit the safety-and-load definition of cocked and locked? At matches they tell us to put the safety on before loading all the time. It's to prevent accidental hammer following when the action closes on a round. The bolt is already locked open at that point, so whether "locked" refers to the bolt or the safety is then almost in the eye of the beholder. Both are required for loading the Garand. The M14 and M16 can have their magazines loaded with the bolt closed, but the safety requires the hammer to be cocked, so, again, bolts have to opened at some point to cock the hammer before the safety can be set. You could do that and then close the bolt again while you put the magazine in, and carry the thing cocked and locked over an empty chamber, but that would not be normal loading practice. I don't see what purpose it would serve?
For the 1911, you are correct that lock and load with the safety defining "locked" cannot apply as the safety can only be set with the hammer cocked and the safety will block operating the slide after it is set. It is common, as I used it in the last paragraph, to refer to the hammer-cocked-and-safety-on condition as "cocked and locked". So the use of "locked" as referring to setting the safety is not unusual. If you accept the safety as defining "locked", then with the 1911 you have to load and lock, rather than lock and load. On the other hand, if you use "locked" to refer to the slide release holding the slide in counterbattery, then it can still be locked and loaded.
Two kinds of "locked" to choose from. What's a body to do? We still don't have an authoritative reference to say who first used the phrase, or in what context? We need a volunteer search for the earliest sighting.
True, you can lock the safety on a Garand back after the bolt is locked opened.
But if your'e heading forward into combat, I doubt the bolt was locked back until it was time to insert a clip.
Thus the "lock and load" happens as a quick series of actions following the command.
Why would guys be running around w/ open bolts that could collect sea water or mud and sand? That's the only way the "lock"reference to a safety rather than the bolt would make sense. Maybe a WW2 soldier that carried a garand can explain. I'll ask my father in law.
Another way to look at it would be as a overall description of a weapon after it was loaded and the safety applied. The rifle was locked and loaded without describing which happened first. Just like I could be "loaded" and "in trouble" with my wife, but it doesn't matter which happened first as the description is still apt.
But if your'e heading forward into combat, I doubt the bolt was locked back until it was time to insert a clip.
Thus the "lock and load" happens as a quick series of actions following the command.
Why would guys be running around w/ open bolts that could collect sea water or mud and sand? That's the only way the "lock"reference to a safety rather than the bolt would make sense. Maybe a WW2 soldier that carried a garand can explain. I'll ask my father in law.
Another way to look at it would be as a overall description of a weapon after it was loaded and the safety applied. The rifle was locked and loaded without describing which happened first. Just like I could be "loaded" and "in trouble" with my wife, but it doesn't matter which happened first as the description is still apt.
"Why would guys be running around w/ open bolts that could collect sea water or mud and sand? That's the only way the "lock"reference to a safety rather than the bolt would make sense. Maybe a WW2 soldier that carried a garand can explain. I'll ask my father in law."
I think you guys have certainly hit on the gist of the saying and that is about as well as can be hoped for. I doubt the actual origin could be traced today. In the above question, I don't quite picture the situation the same way. In my mind, having been in the military, you are right that soldiers wouldn't be "running around with open bolts" but the command to "lock and load" would be given just prior to disembarking from say a landing craft or transport so that all weapons are loaded in advance but in a safe condition. At the moment of debarkation, the bolts are closed and the weapons are fire ready. The military loves the "hurry up and wait" situation so hurry up and load so we can make sure all you maggots have your ammo and wait for the command to commence firing. Therefore, to me "lock and load" is not the same as "locked and loaded". One is a command given just prior to the $h!t hitting the fan and the other the result of the command where the action is either open or on safe and the magazine is loaded and ready.
Lock and load (a command), locked and loaded (a safe weapon condition with easy visual verification), cocked and locked (a carry condition) are all different but similar and related.
I think you guys have certainly hit on the gist of the saying and that is about as well as can be hoped for. I doubt the actual origin could be traced today. In the above question, I don't quite picture the situation the same way. In my mind, having been in the military, you are right that soldiers wouldn't be "running around with open bolts" but the command to "lock and load" would be given just prior to disembarking from say a landing craft or transport so that all weapons are loaded in advance but in a safe condition. At the moment of debarkation, the bolts are closed and the weapons are fire ready. The military loves the "hurry up and wait" situation so hurry up and load so we can make sure all you maggots have your ammo and wait for the command to commence firing. Therefore, to me "lock and load" is not the same as "locked and loaded". One is a command given just prior to the $h!t hitting the fan and the other the result of the command where the action is either open or on safe and the magazine is loaded and ready.
Lock and load (a command), locked and loaded (a safe weapon condition with easy visual verification), cocked and locked (a carry condition) are all different but similar and related.
The Duke!
How can you argue with the DUKE? He seems to be the most accurate and reliable source listed yet!
(US) A military command to put a weapon's safety catch on, and load it with ammunition.
1949 — John Wayne in the film Sands of Iwo Jima
"Lock and load, boy, lock and load."
Thanks Unclenick.
How can you argue with the DUKE? He seems to be the most accurate and reliable source listed yet!
(US) A military command to put a weapon's safety catch on, and load it with ammunition.
1949 — John Wayne in the film Sands of Iwo Jima
"Lock and load, boy, lock and load."
Thanks Unclenick.
You are welcome for that. I still like the idea of the flintlock sequence explaining it best, but can't find anything authoritative to back up the idea the phrase is that old.
I'm not trying to knock wiki's, as I use them myself, and they are a great idea for sharing information, but I saw in a news program that many people, especially college kids, believe they are a fact-checked authoritative source, not realizing their content is just regular folks doing what they can to make or correct entries. I recall it was a program with a panel they'd put together on education. Apparently lots of today's college kids don't know how to research anything if it isn't on the web somewhere? They often never set foot in a real library. Several college students in the audience were stunned to be told they couldn't believe everything they saw in a wiki entry. They just assumed that if something was on the web it was true, kind of like some members of my generation believing anything they saw in print. The super market tabloids depend on that.
So, information sources are like anything else. Caveat emptor.
I'm not trying to knock wiki's, as I use them myself, and they are a great idea for sharing information, but I saw in a news program that many people, especially college kids, believe they are a fact-checked authoritative source, not realizing their content is just regular folks doing what they can to make or correct entries. I recall it was a program with a panel they'd put together on education. Apparently lots of today's college kids don't know how to research anything if it isn't on the web somewhere? They often never set foot in a real library. Several college students in the audience were stunned to be told they couldn't believe everything they saw in a wiki entry. They just assumed that if something was on the web it was true, kind of like some members of my generation believing anything they saw in print. The super market tabloids depend on that.
So, information sources are like anything else. Caveat emptor.
lock and load
it had nothing to do with a garand,it was used in WW1 also.if you flip the safty on a springfield to verticale you can open the bolt and load.close the bolt and your still on safe.a belt feed fires from a closed bolt.the browning 1919 and the Bar fire fom closed bolt as does the Riesing.the lewis from open.and the gas operated hotchkiss open bolt.you kids get every thing wrong.
it had nothing to do with a garand,it was used in WW1 also.if you flip the safty on a springfield to verticale you can open the bolt and load.close the bolt and your still on safe.a belt feed fires from a closed bolt.the browning 1919 and the Bar fire fom closed bolt as does the Riesing.the lewis from open.and the gas operated hotchkiss open bolt.you kids get every thing wrong.
Hatcher's Notebook has a pretty good rundown of machine gun mechanisms and their development, for anyone who is curious about their differences?
So, it appears that we haven't heard the finial word yet?
I had always though it meant pull the bolt back to lock, then load with stripper clip?
My understanding for my rendezvous days are:
The term lock, stock, and barrel was used when you ordered a firearm in the muzzle-loader days, when just about any gun was custom made.
You could order the lock, barrel and stock separately, in " the white", no finish, then do you own finishing.
Early browning was simply controlled rusting, the rubbing with oil.
No other referance except range talk....
I had always though it meant pull the bolt back to lock, then load with stripper clip?
My understanding for my rendezvous days are:
The term lock, stock, and barrel was used when you ordered a firearm in the muzzle-loader days, when just about any gun was custom made.
You could order the lock, barrel and stock separately, in " the white", no finish, then do you own finishing.
Early browning was simply controlled rusting, the rubbing with oil.
No other referance except range talk....
Just got off the phone w/ my father in law. He was a combat infantryman w/ the 2nd Armor in WWII. Fought from Normandy thru the BUlge and the end of the war.
He hadn't heard of "lock and load". He said their M1's were always loaded and ready to go and no one needed to be told to load their rifle.
He didn't much care for John Wayne's war. Just like he has no interest in the BS coming from the Kennedy memorials this week. He's old and honery and may have forgotten, but I'll take his word on it.
He hadn't heard of "lock and load". He said their M1's were always loaded and ready to go and no one needed to be told to load their rifle.
He didn't much care for John Wayne's war. Just like he has no interest in the BS coming from the Kennedy memorials this week. He's old and honery and may have forgotten, but I'll take his word on it.
Lock And Load
Leverite:I leared early.my father taught to shoot with a 1903,we borrowed from the legion and ammo they had befor WW2 the DCM issued rifle and ammo to schools and vets org.no one in the legion wanted to shoot 06 so we got the ammo.and the rifles.first time I had enuf after 10 shots,next yr I was verousus? and fired all I could get.then I entered high school and they had a range and rifles[22].I got my expert rating there.and I used to go to the range in wakefield and pull targets.60 cents an hour[that was big money for any one]shot in a hi power match.borrowed the range masters star gage springfield and did real well on 200 and 300 yds.most were 10s.as I remember.after we went in rest area and cleaned our guns.that was before WW2.I joined the nave and becam an airdale AOM3C.I am very good with MGs.
Leverite:I leared early.my father taught to shoot with a 1903,we borrowed from the legion and ammo they had befor WW2 the DCM issued rifle and ammo to schools and vets org.no one in the legion wanted to shoot 06 so we got the ammo.and the rifles.first time I had enuf after 10 shots,next yr I was verousus? and fired all I could get.then I entered high school and they had a range and rifles[22].I got my expert rating there.and I used to go to the range in wakefield and pull targets.60 cents an hour[that was big money for any one]shot in a hi power match.borrowed the range masters star gage springfield and did real well on 200 and 300 yds.most were 10s.as I remember.after we went in rest area and cleaned our guns.that was before WW2.I joined the nave and becam an airdale AOM3C.I am very good with MGs.
most of my guns can't have the safety put on until I load 'em. So how's that fit the definition?
TAWILDCATT said it started for the 1903 Springfield, so that fits.
Maybe it's a Marine thing. Ask 'ol Emory who has the TV show "Lock and Load". He talks about tanks and all sorts of stuff. He'd know, more than Hollyworld. I like the Duke, but there's plenty of inacurarisms in his movies about the cavalry and such.
Must be some leathernecks out there that can tell us.
About carrying empty in the woods, that's what kids get taught in hunter safety these days. Safety first children.
TAWILDCATT said it started for the 1903 Springfield, so that fits.
Maybe it's a Marine thing. Ask 'ol Emory who has the TV show "Lock and Load". He talks about tanks and all sorts of stuff. He'd know, more than Hollyworld. I like the Duke, but there's plenty of inacurarisms in his movies about the cavalry and such.
Must be some leathernecks out there that can tell us.
About carrying empty in the woods, that's what kids get taught in hunter safety these days. Safety first children.
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