PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-617
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 617
APRIL 2004
Dear Editor,
When I read about the soldiers in Iraq who weren't able to defend
themselves because sand caused their M16s to jam, I remembered an
article from an old PS about keeping your rifle in a bag. Maybe it
would help soldiers serving in the desert if you ran that article again.
COL Robert Korpanty
USAR
Newport News, VA
PS 617
APR 04
16
M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine…
Dear Colonel Korpanty,
You have an incredible memory, Sir. That article was printed in 1969—35
years ago! Here it is, pretty much unchanged:
Now that you've got a plastic coverall bag, NSN 1005-00-809-2190, to protect
your M16 rifle against dust, sand, mud, water and such, here's how to use it in good
health—yours and your weapon's.
First, make sure your rifle's cleaned and lubed
before you bag it. This cover's an aid to PM, but
it'll never replace the cleaning and lubing you'll
always have to do regularly. In fact, with a rub-
ber band closing—not to mention rips and
tears—the bag's not guaranteed to be watertight,
so-o-o-o.
..
Second, if you're going to keep it bagged more
than 24 hours, be sure you eyeball the weapon
every day for signs of corrosion from any mois-
ture or condensation that might form in the bag.
Putting it on
—stick the rifle in
the cover muzzle end first. Then
fold the cover end over the butt-
stock and slip the rubber band on.
Taking it off
—Slip the rubber
band off and unfold the cover
end. Then slide the rifle out. Put it
on and take it off gently and you
can use the cover several times.
In a firefight
—Comes a sud-
den opportunity to bag an enemy,
here're two ways you can work it:
1.
Quick-rip the bag off with one
steady yank. The bag'll come
apart at the tear-line.
2.
If absolutely necessary, you
can fire right through the bag.
You can operate the selector
lever and trigger easy with the
bag on. But, remember this:
Ejected cases will be trapped in
the bag and could cause a mal-
function after the first round. So
get it off as quick as you can.
Course, after "emergency" use,
you’ll need a new bag.
The bag will work with the M4/M4A1 carbine, all M16-series rifles, and the MWS.
too much
sand has
gotten
into it!
good advice
that still holds
true today!
Bag seals out sand
Taking it off
In a firefight,
rip bag open
rubber band
my rifle is
jamming!
you should
have kept it in
a plastic bag
like I did.
this
baby is
ready
to fire!
617. 16-17 (C)
3/1/04
4:06 PM
Page 1
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