PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-634
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 634
SEPTEMBER 2005
Rear sight:
The M2 is a
heavy-duty weapon, but it
does have one weak spot:
the rear sight. If you leave
the sight sticking up all the
time, you'll soon need a new
sight. One good jolt snaps it
off. When you're not firing,
fold the sight down. It also
helps if you lay your M2
down and don't set it on end
where it can take a fall. And,
of course, never drop it.
You'll be less likely to drop
it if you get help carrying it.
Hot barrel:
You don't want to try to change a hot barrel in the field without
strong protection for your hand. Using your glove or a rag will give you a burned
hand. The best protection is the mitt that comes with the M2. If the mitt is missing,
your armorer can order more with NSN 8415-01-092-0039. He should order extras
since the mitt disappears. Each M2 should also have a barrel carrying handle, NSN
1005-00-550-4080. Then you can unscrew the barrel with the mitt and pull it out
with the carrying handle.
PS 634
SEP 05
19
M2 Machine Gun…
A
n M2 machine gun that can't be fed ammo or whose barrel can't be locked in
place is an M2 that can't do much to protect you or your unit. Feast on these feed-
ing tips to keep your M2 spitting out ammo:
Lay
M2
down…
Feeding:
If you get the feed wrong when you put your M2 back together after
maintenance, not only will you not be able to feed ammo to it, but you'll also dam-
age the feed pawl guide lever when you slam the feed cover in place. A quick
glance, though, tells you if you've got the feed right.
..if you know what to look for.
The key is the bolt switch. If you're firing with left-hand feed, the left groove
beginning at the bolt's base should run through the bolt switch unblocked.
Right hand feed?
The right groove
should be unblocked.
Always check the
feed before you fire.
Do you have barrel carrying handle and…
Fold rear sight down
when not firing
…barrel carrying mitt?
Barrel locking spring:
If
the spring is weak or missing,
the barrel will not stay tight
and your M2 will lose the cor-
rect headspace. If you can eas-
ily move the spring with your
finger, it's too weak. Report a
missing or weak spring.
Is barrel locking spring weak?
For left-handed feeding,
left groove should be
unblocked
Etiquette for Good Feeding
none for
me, thank
you.
you have not paid
proper attention
to feeding
etiquette.
…don’t stand on end
Eyeball the
bolt switch
Left
groove
Bolt base
Feed
lever
Right
groove
634.18-19(C).qxd
7/25/05
5:02 PM
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