PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-667
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 667
JUNE 2008
A
unit recently had an M2 machine gun blow up during fring. At frst, the problem
appeared to be someone not Following the correct headspace and timing procedure.
But that wasn’t it! It was the wrong headspace
and timing gauge. The unit had mixed up M2
gauges with those For the M3P, the .50-cal weapon
used on the Avenger. The M2 and M3P gauges
are diFFerent sizes and can’t be interchanged.
How do you tell the diFFerence? The M2 gauge
comes with NSN 5220-00-535-1217 and its
headspace gauge is marked both NO ±IRE and
±IRE. The M3P gauge comes with NSN 5280-
13-116-6359 and its headspace gauge is marked
NO ±IRE, but not ±IRE. The M3P headspace
gauge is also noticeably longer than the M2’s.
OF course, even iF you
have the right gauge, it
won’t do you any good iF
it’s rusted, pitted or bent.
IF your headspace and
timing gauge is in bad
shape, tell your armorer
you need a new one.
Armorers, the gauges must be
calibrated every year by your local
TMDE iF they are to stay accurate.
It’s your responsibility to make sure
that happens and the calibration is
documented on a DA ±ORM 3023
with the gauge’s serial number.
26
PS 667
JUNE 08
27
PS 667
JUNE 08
M2
Gauges…
Got the Right Gauge?
WHAT KEEPS ‘EM GOING?
hi, andrew! welcome
back. I heard you
were on leave.
need a
haircut?
I’m in too
bad a shape
to help you
with timing and
headspacing.
look at that
calendar.
year’s up
and it’s time
for me to be
calibrated.
M3P gauge is longer than the M2’s
get that
gauge away
from me!
that gauge is
for an m3p
machine gun.
667.26-27.indd
1-2
5/6/08
5:45:08 PM
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