PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-586
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 586
SEPTEMBER 2001
Small Arms.
..
How
Many
Does Rack
Hold?
Dear Half-Mast,
I know the Army prefers that units no longer fabricate racks for weapons
that do not have a specific arms rack. They would rather have armorers use
the universal arms rack, NSN 1095-01-454-6320, instead. Exactly how
much does this rack hold? Armorers need to know so they will know how many
racks they need.
SGT M.O.
Dear Sergeant M.O.,
The universal rack is 72
1
∕
2
inches tall,
25 inches deep and 54
1
∕
2
inches wide. It
comes with five shelves (one shelf is
removable). It fits six M16-series rifles or
M4/M4A1 carbines or three of any of the
machine guns per shelf.
The change to AR 190-11 covers the
new rack policy. If you have questions
about fabricating a small arms rack or
have any rack questions, contact TACOM-RI’s James Rollins at (309) 782-1797,
DSN 793-1797, or e-mail
rollinsj@ria. army.mil
. You can also visit the small arms
website at
http://www-acala1.ria.army.mil/LC/cs/csl/small_arms_storage_ racks.htm
.
M16-Series Rifles, M4/M4A1 Carbines.
..
PS 586
SEP 01
44
M2 Machine Gun.
..
Dear Editor,
If you don't have a rack for your M2 machine guns when you go to the
field (as is often the case with the National Guard), you must secure them
by running a chain through the barrel extension holes.
Unfortunately, the holes aren't always the same diameter, so it's a pain to
find a chain that fits all of them.
But I made a locking plate that solves the problem. Simply slide the plate
through the charging handle slot and run the chain through the plate's hole.
The plate can also be used to secure M2s in the arms room.
Your support can fabricate the locking plate using these plans and two
pieces of 5/16-in steel, one 6 1/4 x 3 inches and the other 5 x 1 1/2 inches.
SSG Carl Young
TXARNG
Port Neches, TX
5"
1-1/2"
1-1/2" r
3"
6-1/4" min
6-3/4" max
4-3/4"
Weld all
around
Thickness:
5/16" min
3/8" max
Diameter
of hole:
1-1/2" min
1-3/4" max
Universal arms rack
This will
help keep
these
m2
s
secure!
T
he bolt in an M16-series rifle or M4/M4A1 carbine can crack after it's slammed
into the chamber enough times. A cracked bolt can cause jamming and other
firing problems.
That's why you armorers need to check the bolts in
your M16 and M4/M4A1s for cracks at least quarterly.
But a quick eyeballing won't catch all cracks. To
spot small cracks, you have to first clean the bolts and
then examine them under a bright light. Pay particular
attention to the area around the locking lugs, especial-
ly on the extractor side.
If you spot any cracks, get support to replace the bolt.
Crack Down on Cracked Bolts
Check for cracks around
locking lugs and extractor
Slip locking plate through
charging handle slot
586. 44-45 (C)
8/8/01
10:44 AM
Page 1
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