PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-678

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 678

MAY 2009
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-678 - Page 13 of 33
22
PS 678
MAY 09
23
PS 678
MAY 09
Dear Half-Mast,
We saw on Page 20 in PS 672 (Nov 08) that the M2, M3P, and M296
headspace and timing gages should be calibrated every 360 days according
to TB 43-180.
Many units probably have never had the gages calibrated. If they send all
their gages in at the same time, their machine guns will be considered NMC
until the gages come back from TMDE. How should armorers handle this
difficult problem?
CW5 J.P.
I
t’s important to know whether your small arms sights—the M68, the M145, and
ACOG/M150—are up to the job. If the sights are seeing poorly, you have a poor
chance of hitting the enemy. Here’s how to tell if your sight is
not
ready for action:
Dear Chief J.P.,
There is no perfect solution to this problem. The best course of action is to send
a few gages in at a time for calibration, holding some back at the unit until TMDE
returns the other gages. Then send more gages in, again holding some back. Do
this until all the gages have been calibrated. By staggering the calibration, you
will always have some gages on hand.
Of course, gages disappear over time in the Feld and you will need
replacements. If your commander approves, order extra timing and headspacing
gages with these NSNs:
•
M2 and M296, NSN 5220-00-535-1217
•
If your sight flunks even one of these checks, tell your repairman.
When you clean your sights, use only acetone-free glass cleaner, NSN 6850-
00-392-9751, and lens paper, NSN 6640-00-240-5851. Other cleaners can ruin the
protective coating on the lenses.
•
unable to mount an anti-reflective
device (ARD) on it
•
lens is heavily scratched or the view is
otherwise obstructed
•
loose or broken lenses
•
moisture inside the sight
•
unable to install battery cap cover
•
internal red dot or chevron won’t
illuminate
•
windage or elevation knob adjustments
don’t hold or knobs don’t make a
distinct click when you turn them
Machine Guns…
Stagger Gage Calibration
Small Arms…
What Makes Sights NMC
we need
calibrating.
I know.
but
I can’t send
all of you to
tmde at once.
some of
you need
to stay on
the job.
Elevation adjustment screw
Windage adjustment screw
ARD
Battery cap
you ready
for some
serious
action
today?
I just don’t
know. I haven’t
been feeling
very good.
you
better
check
me out.
uh… I’m
not sure
what
I should
look for!
oohh!
678.22-23.indd
1-2
3/30/09
2:23:06 PM
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