PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-624
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 624
NOVEMBER 2004
PS 624
NOV 04
21
Small Arms…
Dear Editor,
I've found a couple of items in the -23&P TMs for the MK 19 and M2
machine guns that need to be straightened out:
•
On Page WP 0050-002 in the MK 19's TM 9-1010-230-23&P it says
the armorer should remove the feed pawls, flat spring, headless pins and spring
housing. But the SMR codes say that only direct support is authorized to dis-
assemble those items.
•
On Page WP 0010 00-18 of the M2's TM 9-1005-213-23&P, Step 9
in the Quarterly PMCS tells the armorer to completely disassemble the buffer
tube and backplate assembly. But these are also DS tasks according to the
SMR codes.
What's right?
Michael Harvey,
Vilseck,
Germany
(Editor's note:
Both the WP pages and SMR codes are correct.
The armorer is allowed to disassemble these items to inspect,
clean, and lubricate them. But if any of these items need to be
repaired or replaced that's the responsibility of direct support.
The SMR codes refer only to repair or replacement of an item, not
inspections, cleaning, or lubing. Hope this clears things up.)
Dear Half-Mast,
We've received the M68 optical sight for our
M16A4s and M4/M4A1s, so now we need back-up
iron sights (BUIS). But we can't find any info on
ordering them. Do you know?
SSG S.D.
PS 624
NOV 04
20
Small Arms…
M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine…
How
Do
You
Get
BUIS
{
?
}
let’s
clear up
this tm
confusion!
Sand blows in the muzzle and ejection port and stops moving parts from moving.
Even worse, sand mixes with lube and forms a scouring powder that grinds up parts.
Eventually, parts must be replaced—or maybe the entire weapon.
You can sandbag sand problems, though, if you follow a few rules:
Clean often.
That means
at least
daily
in the desert. Even wiping off
the outside of your weapon with a
clean cloth whenever you have a
chance helps. But remember any
cleaning that involves taking your
weapon apart should be done only
out of the blowing sand inside a
tent or building. Otherwise, your
cleaning won't do much cleaning.
Pay special attention to moving
parts like the bolt carrier.
Wipe
and brush them clean. For areas like
the trigger assembly that you're not
allowed to take apart,
blow out sand.
Use rifle covers, muzzle caps, and
spare magazine bags as much as possible.
Keep the M16/M4's ejection port cover
closed and a magazine installed.
Cover
mounted
machine
guns.
Easy on lubing.
Corrosion is not much of
a problem in the desert, which means you
don't need much lube. Lube can attract sand
so you want the outside of your weapon dry.
Lightly lube only internal parts.
Clean magazines.
Magazines
jam with sand. Unload and wipe off
ammo daily. Run a clean rag
through the magazine. But don't put
any lube in magazines or on ammo.
Sand can
quickly silence
your rifle,
pistol, or
machine gun in
the desert,
as soldiers in
iraq can
testify.
Confused by MK 19 and M2 TMs?
Sure do,
Sergeant S.D.
You can order the
BUIS with NSN
The BUIS and
its repair parts
are being
added to TM
9-1005-319-
23&P.
Unfortunately,
the sight is
in
short
supply
and it
may take some
time for you
to receive it.
624.20-21(C)
9/20/04
3:21 PM
Page 1
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