PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-696
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 696
NOVEMBER 2010
20
PS 696
NOV 10
21
PS 696
NOV 10
Dear Editor,
In PS 689 (Apr 10), you pointed out that the three-port gas regulator
for the M240B and M240H machine guns is being replaced by a one-port
regulator.
But armorers should continue to use the three-port regulator until it fails
inspection or quits working.
Armorers should be reminded
that as long as they have
the three-port regulator they
should make very sure to have
it inspected annually. Gunners
often switch the regulator to the
2 or 3 positions
(which is not
authorized by the Army)
to increase the rate of fire. The
higher rate of fire can enlarge
the gas port and overwhelm the
buffer assembly. Soon firing
problems develop.
Support should check the gas port annually with the gas port erosion tool
using the procedure in WP 0008-00 of TM 9-1005-313-23&P. If the
gas port fails this check, it’s a good idea to inspect the buffer assembly,
too. The buffer checks are Item 3 in the PMCS of the -23&P.
Albert Sweet
DOL
Ft Carson, CO
Editor’s note:
Excellent suggestion for armorers to
keep in mind, Albert. It will probably take several years
for the old gas regulators to completely disappear.
Fight sand.
Sand causes abrasions
and other problems for the Sentinel’s
electronic
components.
The
Sentinel compartment doors have
an electromagnetic interference seal
around each door. That means you
can’t add weather stripping to the
doors to help keep out sand without
hurting
the
EMI
shield,
which
protects the crew from RF energy.
What you can do to fght the
sand is keep the compartment doors
closed as much as possible and
wipe the compartments clean. In
the desert, do that daily. And check
the air flters daily in the desert, too.
They can clog up fast.
Get a cap for the EMER-
GENCY STOP RESET button.
The button has a housing that
traps dirt and sand. If the buildup
is bad enough, the button stops
working. Order the cap with
PN 40215A746 through your
contractor support.
Check the bolts for the cable
reel swing arm before travel.
Only two bolts hold the arm and
if they become loose, the 200-lb
cable reel can go rolling off.
Old Gas
Regulator
Needs
Inspecting
M240 Machine Gun…
Old Gas
Regulator
Needs
Inspecting
Old three-setting gas regulator
should be gaged annually
if you
still
have the old
three-setting m240 gas
regulators, you
need
to
check out this tip from
the fort carson DOL.
Check swing
arm bolts
for tightness
before travel.
Make sure
both bolts
are tight
and that
the reel
itself is
locked in
place so
it doesn’t
swing back
and forth.
Get cap for EMERGENCY STOP RESET button
Wipe out compartment daily in desert
Remember to
lock cable reel
in place
696.20-21.indd
1-2
10/5/10
10:57 AM
Click here for a copy of this article to save or email.
Back to TopBack to Top
