Solution: If he were proven left-handed would this help him fire the scoped M-C faster and more accurately? No. In the ‘50s marines, ALL personnel were trained to fire the M1 Garand RIGHT-handed whether they liked it or not. If LHO was left-handed, this would make him a disadvantaged shooter trying to shoot right-handed and an untrained shooter if after the service he tried to shoot left-handed. If you are firing a M-C rifle with a scope left-handed, your face is on the buttstock directly in the way of the bolt when its opened; you have to lift up your cheek each time, losing your spot at the right distance for your eye to see through your scope (Stock weld), requiring several seconds to reacquire aim. A right-handed shooter might be able to keep his stock weld while cycling the M-C bolt but he has to let go of his trigger hand around the comb of the stock to cycle the bolt, thus each time the bolt is cycled he has to regain trigger control. Why moving targets are best ambushed with automatic weapons, unless you want to sacrifice speed (and less shots) for precision with a bolt-action rifle. And why the limo had to STOP.
“I trained at Parris Island in 1947. I was not allowed to shoot any weapons left-handed. This included the M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, Colt .45 pistol, and Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). This was an order given by the firearms training instructors. I never saw anything in writing that I can recall. It might be possible that such insructions were given in the training manual called Guidebook for Marines. I do not have my copy, but it is possible some other Marines would have a copy and could check it out for you. To this day, 54 years later, I still shoot right-handed. I hope this helps you with your research paper.” Semper Fi;