Lock and load

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This article is about the use of the phrase "Lock and Load" in ammunition and popular culture. For the rhythm/strategy game, see Lock and Load (game).

"Load and lock" was the original order, and referred to the operation of the M1 Garand rifle, the standard U.S. Army rifle of World War II. The phrase describes the insertion of a clip of ammunition into the rifle, loading the clip, and locking the bolt forward (which forces a round into the chamber, readying the rifle for use).

"Lock and load" has a more general meaning now, warning people to get ready for action. It was immortalized by John Wayne in 1949's Sands of Iwo Jima, where the Duke used this reversed phrase both in combat and as a humorous metaphor for becoming intoxicated.

Part of its current popularity may be linked to its assonance with "Rock and Roll", which has a similar meaning in these contexts.

One can also understand "lock and load" as a meaningful instruction with the M1, as described in the manual: before loading the clip, the proper procedure is to lock back the bolt using the operating rod. Note that on page 21 of the below referenced manual the procedure for preparing the M1 Garand for firing is to "pull the operating rod handle to the rear until the bolt is securely LOCKED open". Then you load the clip. This indicates that first lock and then load is indeed the order of inserting a cartridge clip into the M1. Thus the phrase "lock and load" is an example of the rhetorical device hysteron proteron.

[edit] Other Sources

Three possible alternative sources for the phrase have also been suggested, without substantiating references. The phrase might have arisen from: 1) the use of flintlock rifles, which required the hammer to be locked back before placing the firing cap. 2) artillery usage: to 'lock' a gun into firing position before loading. Both of the actions above were for safety purposes. 3) Rifle mechanics are different when compared to weapons of the past. The procedure now is to first lock the rifle into safety mode, and then load with ammunition.