PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-685
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 685
DECEMBER 2009
24
PS 685
DEC 09
The serial number of
the receiver should be
stamped on dog tags
and the dog tags should
be safety wired to the
barrels. Writing the
serial number on the
barrel bag will help, too.
Soldiers need to be
educated to make sure
the ID number on the
spare barrel is the same
as the receiver’s.
Units also need to
remember that the
spare barrel stays
with the machine gun
if it’s transferred
to another unit.
If the spare barrel
disappears, your unit
can be gigged for a
replacement.
Cleaning rods-
We’ve seen
Soldiers use another weapon’s
cleaning rod for PM. Using an
M16 rifle cleaning rod to try to
clean an M2 machine gun’s barrel
is pointless. The cleaning rod isn’t
big enough. But it’s even worse if
you do the opposite: try to clean
an M16 with an M2 cleaning rod.
We actually had to junk an M16
barrel because an M2 cleaning
rod was stuck in it. Use only the
cleaning rod specifically designed
for your weapon.
Barrel caps-
Units are leaving
the caps on all the time. We’ve seen
weapons shipped back from SW Asia
where the cap had glued itself to the
barrel. Plus the cap traps moisture in
the barrel, which leads to corrosion.
The only time the caps should be used
is in the field to prevent dirt and sand
from clogging the barrel.
Dear Editor,
We do the small arms repairs for DOL at Ft Bliss and we see a few
problems that we hope
PS
can help solve by educating Soldiers.
Spare barrel-
PS
has written again and again about the importance
of changing machine gun barrels during firing. But that’s still a problem. We
frequently see barrels ruined because a Soldier fired and fired through the
same barrel. Even if the barrel doesn’t get so hot that it’s warped, the heat
can take the finish right off the barrel. Then corrosion has an open door.
But something else we’re running into is units not IDing the spare barrel
with the receiver’s serial number. Then they take the spares to the field
and randomly put one on their machine gun. Both barrels are headspaced
to one receiver. Another barrel won’t have the correct headspace, which
means the machine gun could malfunction. If the barrels are not tagged,
the weapon is NMC.
Editor’s note:
Excellent points,
Sir
. Soldiers, do your
weapon a favor and remember these points. If you have
questions, c
all
DSN 793-7458, (309
) 782-7458.
Or,
email:
andre.pilgrim
@us.army.mil
Don Whetstone
DOL
Ft Bliss, TX
Small Arms…
do’s and
don’ts
from
dol!
I know I
need to
change
your
barrel,
but I
can’t
figure
out which
is your
spare?
you
shoulda
identified
my
barrel!
hey,
wait!
I may just be
a spare, but if the gun’s
going to a new unit…
ha,
you think
you can clean
me with that
pitful m16
cleaning rod.
be
serious.
hey,
we
don’t need
these barrel
caps for
storage.
take
‘em
off.
…I need to
go, too!
685.24-25.indd
1-2
10/26/09
3:11:04 PM
Mr. D.W.
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