Ten years later when in basic training, I got my marksmanship badge on the first try at the rifle range. 98/100 rounds with an M-16 into a silhouette at 100 yards. A piece of cake. It was not running away and screaming for it's Mommy.
And another Tangent-------
The crab lock served me well in basic as well. I was a cadet at the Air Force Academy. The upper classmen would get one in your face screaming orders and another would come up behind you and try to snatch your M-1. The only time you were to relinquish your weapon was at present arms. So if they got it from you while standing at attention it was broken down and spread throughout the upperclassmen in the squadron. A real problem going around and knocking on upperclassmen's doors asking if they had a piece of your rifle.
When at attention the rifle was held between your thumb and forefinger with the thumb on the seam of your trousers. The crab lock kept my rifle in my possession at attention.
Tangent #3--------
My roommate did not know the crab lock and lost his rifle while at attention in a Special Inspection. Before the two upperclassmen could gloat, I shouted, "Sir may I ask a question?" Smiling reply, "Sure Cantrall, What?" "Sir if I can do 73 push ups will you return Cadet ********** his rifle?"(We were the class of '73 and the most strict military push-ups I had ever done was 36.) The answer was, "Sure Cantrall!"
We got to 73 but they were pretty sloppy at the end. I say we because as soon as I dropped and started knocking them out they looked at ********** at asked, "What are you doing standing at attention while he does push-ups for your rifle?"
When we got back to our room I taught him the crab-lock.:thumbup:
