PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-562
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 562
SEPTEMBER 1999
Dear Half-Mast,
How do you store an M16 rifle or M4 carbine that has the M68 close
combat optic sight mounted on it? The sight prevents the rack from
locking.
CPT M. H.
M249 Machine Gun . . .
M16-Series Rifle, M4-Series Carbine . . .
Dear Captain M. H.,
As you’ve discovered, Sir, you can’t store M16s or M4s with M68s installed.
You must remove the sights from the weapons before storing the weapons in the
rack. No problem, though. The sights are designed to retain their zero when
removed and reinstalled.
The M4 has several slots on the upper receiver where the sight can be installed.
So be sure to reinstall it in the same slot the sight was zeroed at originally or
you’ll have poor accuracy. Since there’s only one slot on the M16 sight mount to
install the sight, that’s not a problem with the rifle.
Be sure to secure the M68s in a locked cabinet or locker.
I think you’ve tagged onto a good
idea. This would also be a good way
to ID the M240B barrels.
Dear Editor,
Because the M249 machine gun is specifically headspaced for its two
barrels, it’s important that only those two barrels be used with the gun.
Using other barrels could damage the M249 bolt and the barrel itself
because of incorrect headspace. So, it’s critical the barrels are ID’d so
there are no mix-ups.
Tying a dog tag to the bipod doesn’t work with the M249 because its
bipod is part of the receiver. What does work is bending a round tag, NSN
9050-00-473-6336, so it can be tied to the carrying handle.
After the tag has been stamped with the receiver ID number, drill a
second
5
/
32
-in hole in the tag.
Use pliers to bend the tag
in a U-shape with the ID number
facing out. Tie the tag around
the base of the carrying handle
by running lacing wire through
the tag holes. Use pliers to
bend the tag as tight as
possible to the handle so the
tag won’t rattle. Use lacing
wire pliers to tie off the lacing
wire. Tuck the wire ends under the tag.
If you don’t have round tags, use a regular dog tag, NSN 8465-00-
242-4804. Paint the tag black or coat it with solid film lubrication so you
don’t get any reflection on the battlefield.
Robert Vick
AMSA 108 (G)
Bismarck, ND
you can
remove
me and
store
me by
myself.
PS 562
45
SEP 99
44
SEP 99
i
love
a good
id
idea
!
Drill second hole.
..
...and locate tag here
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