PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-572
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 572
JULY 2000
M2 Machine Gun . . .
Make sure your gunners know to
push the bolt latch release all the way
down for automatic firing. That saves
wear and tear on the bolt catch notches.
Inspect bolt catch notches for wear
what
happened?
you should
have checked the
bolt catch notch
!
that's why you've
got a
runaway
m2
!
Bend hook to hold bolt latch release
release all the way down, the metallic
tube, NSN 4710-00-726-5562, should
be replaced by support.
When the metallic tube is engaged,
make sure there is no looseness in the
bolt catch.
Also inspect the bolt catch notches
for any signs of wear. If there are any,
support needs to check out the bolt.
f the M2’s backplate bolt latch re-
lease isn’t completely doing its job,
the bolt release lever won’t stay down
when the gun’s fired in automatic
mode. The bolt catch will continually
hit the notches on top of the bolt and
round out the notches. That can cause
a runaway gun.
Armorers, you can stop that by
making sure the metallic tube holds
the latch release all the way down.
If it doesn’t do that,
slightly
bend the
hook with pliers so that it does.
If the hook still won’t hold
the latch
PS 572
41
JUL 00
PS 572
40
Beveled side faces
toward muzzle
Check breech lock .
..
... and lock pin
f the M2 machine gun’s breech lock is installed wrong or is in bad condition,
the bolt will be destroyed during firing. An eyeball inspection and careful
installation will keep your breech beyond the reach of trouble.
When you have your M2 disas-
sembled for cleaning or to change the
barrel, give the breech lock and lock
pin a look. If you spot cracks, chipped
areas, or heavy wear on the lock, that
breech lock needs replacing, so tell
your armorer. Also make sure the lock
moves up and down easily in the guide-
ways of the barrel extension. If it
doesn’t, tell your armorer.
If the breech lock pin is cracked or its spring is broken or missing, your
armorer needs to know.
No matter what shape the breech lock is
in, it won’t do your M2 any good if you
install it wrong. Just remember that the
beveled side should face forward toward
the muzzle.
into the
breech!
but not before
we discuss
breech
lock pm
!
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