PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-634

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 634

SEPTEMBER 2005
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-634 - Page 10 of 33
Gauges.
If the headspace
and timing gauges are bent,
rusted, or pitted, it’s point-
less to headspace and time
an M2. Get new gauges with
PS 634
SEP 05
17
Barrel locking spring.
If the spring
can't hold the barrel in place, the bar-
rel turns during firing and headspace
is lost. Test the spring by setting the
correct headspace and then trying to
unscrew the barrel. If the barrel
turns, the spring is weak or loose or
the barrel locking lugs may be worn.
Barrel and barrel extension threads.
If
the threads are chipped or burred, it will
be difficult to screw in the barrel. Even
worse, you may think you've screwed in
the barrel when you haven't. That means
bad headspace. Stone any chips or burrs
until they're smooth.
Timing nut.
If the timing nut can be
easily turned with one finger or it
doesn't click as you move it, the nut's
spring is too weak and it won't hold
timing. Get the spring replaced.
Storage.
When you
store an M2, loosen
the timing nut all
the way to the left
until it touches the
trigger bar. That
takes tension off
the nut's spring and
helps the spring
last longer.
M2 Machine Gun…
E
very year soldiers hurt themselves and their M2 machine
guns because they don't realize the importance of timing and
headspacing or they've forgotten how to do it correctly.
When an M2 isn't headspaced and timed, a round can go off
before it's chambered. That's why it's critical that M2 gunners
know they must headspace and time before they fire and any
time they change the barrel during firing.
The Time
for Timing
(and Head-
spacing)
is
NOW!
yeah!
take
the time and
use your head
on timing and
headspacing
me!
Don't
forget this
PMCS for
headspacing
and timing!
PM also includes
proper storage!
Gauges bent,
rusted, pitted?
Test timing
nut spring
Timing nut turned all the way down
to the left?
Locking spring loose, weak or broken?
Burred or chipped threads?
If a soldier hasn't fired an M2 in a year, he's
probably not going to remember the procedure. It's
pretty complicated. That's why it's a good idea,
armorers and First Sergeants, to go over headspac-
ing and timing with your gunners every few
months. A half hour during Sergeants' Time is an
excellent time to review the procedure. And then
when it's firing time at the range, review again.
PS 602 (Jan 03) had a good layout explaining
M2 timing and headspacing. Make copies of it and
use them for training. If you don't have PS 602, you
can download the article at
pub/psissues/602/602-14-19.pdf
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11:32 AM
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