PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-688
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 688
MARCH 2010
24
PS 688
MAR 10
25
PS 688
MAR 10
Dear Editor,
In your article on the M2 machine gun in PS 682 (Sep 09) you show
MSG Half-Mast charging the weapon with his palm down.
That is something every machine gunner should
not
do. When you charge
the weapon with your palm down, your thumb is right next to the charging
handle slot. If there is a malfunction and brass shoots out that slot, your
thumb takes a direct hit. That could cripple you for life.
With your palm up, though, your hand is much better protected from flying
brass. You should
always
charge all the machine guns-not just the M2-with
your palm up.
Cameron Clark
Rock Island, IL
S
ome units are trying to save money with their AN/PAS-13C and -13D thermal
weapon sights by substituting standard alkaline batteries for L91 lithium AA
batteries. Bad idea!
The L91 batteries have a life 3 to 10 times longer than alkaline batteries, which
means fewer battery changes during operations and less weight to lug around in
your pack.
Order L91s with NSN 6135-01-333-6101.
Dear Editor,
While reading your article on M2 machine gun PM in PS 682 (Sep 09),
I noticed on top of Page 31 the backplate threaded plug was shown in the
wrong position.
The line on the plug is at the 1 and 7 o’clock positions, which means the
plug is not locked into the backplate. In that position, the backplate could
come off during firing.
To lock the plug in, it should be
tightened and then backed off until
the headless shoulder pin is aligned
in the notch. If the plug is locked
in correctly, its line will be at the
3 and 9 o’clock positions. WP
0024 00-4 in TM 9-1005-213-
23&P explains how to do this.
Curtis Bradley
TACOM LAR
Iraq
Dear Half-Mast,
Is the M4/M4A1 carbine
considered mission capable if the
vertical pistol grip is not installed?
J.M.
Editor’s note:
Excellent catch, Curtis. Several readers also wrote to point out that
the M2 was not used in WWI. The M2 frst entered the Army in the early 1930s.
So it’s been doing duty For close to 80 years. And another reader pointed out the
picture on Page 31 oF the two Soldiers carrying the M2 should have the Soldier’s
hands on the right completely under the receiver, not partly under the backplate.
Thanks, readers, For paying attention. We’ll pay more attention, too.
Editor’s note:
Good point, Cameron. This
is something that should be stressed during
training For all the machine guns. It might
save a Soldier From serious injury.
Dear Mr. J.M.,
Yes. The use oF the grip is optional.
So the M4/M4A1 is good to go with or
without the grip.
Use
Lithium
Batteries
OnlY
Is
Vertical
Grip
Needed?
M2 Machine Gun…
Threaded Plug in
Wrong Position
AN/PAS-13 Weapon Sight…
Use
Lithium
Batteries
OnlY
Palm Up for Charging
M4/M4A1 Carbine…
Is
Vertical
Grip
Needed?
I don’t have
your vertical
grip installed,
so I’m not sure
if you’re ready
to go to the
field?
makes no
difference. I
can go to the
field with or
without that
grip.
it all
depends
on what
my Soldier
wants!
get those
alkaline
batteries
away
from me!
I’m
strictly
a
lithium
man!
Plug line should be at
3 and 9 o’clock positions
Machine
Guns…
688.24-25.indd
1-2
2/1/10
11:45:32 AM
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