PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-602

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 602

JANUARY 2003
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-602 - Page 9 of 30
PS 602
JAN 03
14
M2 Machine Gun…
Pre-check Checks
If your M2's in bad shape now, you won't be able to headspace and time it later.
So before you go to the field, do these checks:
Timing nut.
If the timing nut can
be easily moved with one finger or it
doesn't click as you move it, its spring
is weak and it won't hold timing. Tell
your armorer. The spring must be
replaced.
Barrel locking spring.
If the
spring can't hold the barrel in place, the
barrel can turn during firing and head-
space is lost. So test the spring by get-
ting the correct headspace and then try-
ing to unscrew the barrel. If the barrel
turns, the spring is weak or loose. Tell
your armorer. The spring must be
replaced.
Barrel and barrel extension
threads.
If the threads are chipped or
burred, it will be difficult to screw in
the barrel. What's worse, you may think
you've completely screwed in the bar-
rel, but you haven't. Result: bad head-
space. Your armorer can usually stone
chips and burrs smooth.
Gauges.
If the headspace and timing
gauges are bent, rusted or pitted, you
can't accurately gauge, so get good
gauges from your armorer. He can
order new gauges with NSN 5220-00-
535-1217.
How to Headspace
1.
Raise the cover
completely.
2.
Pull the charging handle back until the
barrel-locking spring lug is aligned with
the
3
⁄
8
-in hole on the receiver's right side.
To keep the bolt back, insert the small loop
of an M2 ammo link between the trunnion
block and barrel extension.
3.
Screw the barrel
all the way into the
barrel extension.
Gauges bent,
rusted, pitted?
Test timing nut spring
Locking spring loose,
weak or broken?
Burred or
chipped
threads?
If you don't use
your head and take
the time when it
comes to headspacing
and timing your m2
machine gun, a round
could go off that's
not chambered.
That's why
every
time before you fire
or after you change
the barrel you must
headspace and
time your m2.
Here's how:…
Lug
Hole
That damages the
gun and maybe you
and gets you in hot
water with your C.O.
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