PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-562
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 562
SEPTEMBER 1999
M60 Machine Gun . . .
next
patient
,
please!
ya gotta
help me
, doc.
my
bolt
has seen
better
days!
Stone any burrs
or sharp edges
Stone any
burrs or
chips
Repair cam area by stoning
raised or rough surfaces
or many problems with your M60 machine gun bolts, you armorers can be
your own bolt doctor. Here’s the prescription:
Minor chips, dents and gouges are OK on the rear top of the bottom lug. Stone
them smooth. If the front of the bottom lug is burred or has sharp edges, stone
the raised or rough areas smooth. If you can’t, support needs to replace the bolt.
Burrs on the back side of the stripping lug are OK as long as they can be
stoned smooth. And, even if the front left corner of the stripping lug is worn
away, the bolt is still usable. But cracks, chips, dents or gouges on the back side
of the stripping lug mean the bolt is shot.
Check the cam area for raised or rough areas. They can be stoned smooth. But
gouges or cracks in the cam area mean it’s time for a new bolt.
Any cracks anywhere on the bolt make the bolt unusable.
Most of this bolt damage can be avoided if you outlaw dry firing in your unit.
When the bolt slams forward on an empty chamber, the bolt locking lugs are
damaged, as well as the barrel socket and operating rod tower.
Show your unit how to ride the bolt forward—hold the charging handle to the
rear, squeeze the trigger and ease the bolt forward—when the chamber’s empty.
For function testing, provide your unit with dummy rounds, NSN 1305-00-
926-4009.
Bottom lug
Stripping lug
Stone minor chips,
dents, gouges or
burrs to top surface
Bolts worn here can still be used
PS 562
43
SEP 99
PS 562
42
SEP 99
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