Lock and load

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The term "Lock and Load" may have two origins. One stemming from the action required to load a flintlock rifle. Locking the flint back, then loading the powder and shot. The other may come from WWII and the action required to load an M1 Garand.^[1] Virtually all semi-automatic and fully-automatic pistols and rifles follow the same procedure as the M1 Garand: (1) Lock the ammunition in place, usually via a filled magazine; (2) Load the first cartridge into the firing chamber by cycling the action or releasing the bolt to move to the forward position. Unless a safety is turned on, a pistol or rifle that has been "locked and loaded" is ready to fire by only a triggar squeeze.

References

http://www.sproe.com/l/lock-and-load.html

^ http://www.sproe.com/l/lock-and-load.html

[1] ttp://www.sproe.com/l/lock-and-load.html

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