PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-632
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 632
JULY 2005
PS 632
JUL 05
14
M16-Series Rifle, M4/M4A1 Carbine…
Get On Track with Rail Answers
Dear Sergeant S.B.,
It's important to remember that the adapter rails are aluminum, just like the
M4/M4A1 and M16 upper and lower receivers. So you definitely don't want to use
any kind of graphite lubricant on the rails or the weapons. Graphite causes severe
corrosion in aluminum. Use only CLP, LSA, or LAW for lubing the rails.
I don’t know
about your adapter
rail assembly. let’s
see if half-mast
has some answers.
of course
he does,
sergeant b.
He’s
Half-
Mast!
good.
now what
questions
do you
have?
is there
anything we
can do to
prevent
the
cracking?
what
about me
maybe
being
nmc?
that’s my next
question:
does the
cracking make the
weapons nmc?
as long as
you’re asking
questions,
anything
else?
y’know, I’d
like to know
where to find
info on rail
systems!
Use CLP or other approved lube on ARS. No graphite lube allowed
Make sure your unit knows not to remove the upper handguard rail when they
clean their weapons. The upper handguard rail has a self-locking screw that must
be replaced with a
new screw when it's
removed. If you use
the same screw, it
won't stay tight and
any aiming or sight-
ing devices you mount
won't stay zeroed.
Like any part, the ARS won't last for-
ever. If you've been using the rail system
for three to four years, the cracks you're
seeing may just be part of normal wear
and tear. You can find M5 ARS repair
parts in Fig C-17 in TM 9-1005-319-
23&P and M4 ARS repair parts in Fig C-
21. The ARS doesn't have a separate TM.
Because the ARS is part of the M16
and M4 additional authorized list (AAL)
items, which means it's an accessory,
a damaged rail system does not make
the weapon NMC. Questions? Contact
TACOM’s Kevin Moore at DSN 793-
2359/(309) 782-2359 or email
moorek@ria.army.mil
Upper handguard
rail has self-locking
screw that can be
used only once
my ars is
cracked!
I guess
this means
I’m NMC!
no, you can
still
go to the
field, but we’ll
order a new
ars for you.
what are
you gonna
say?
first, I’m going to tell
him that we’re having
trouble with the M4 and
M5 adapter rail systems
(ARS) cracking where they
fit in the slip ring on the
M4/M4A1 carbine and
M16A4 rifle.
632.14-15(C!)
5/27/05
9:36 AM
Page 1
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