PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-696
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 696
NOVEMBER 2010
25
PS 696
NOV 10
Remove the barrel frst when disassembling the M2.
If you don’t, you won’t be
able to remove the barrel extension, which means you have to try to reassemble the
M2 to remove the barrel. That ain’t easy.
Dear Half-Mast,
The bushing that was added to the M48 machine gun’s backplate seems
to last a very short time. The charging cable cuts through it like a hot
knife through butter. Is there anything we can do to make it last?
SPC J.L.
Dear Specialist J.L.,
Yes, there is. The bushing was
added to help the charging cable last
longer by preventing the cable from
rubbing on metal. When the bushing
develops a groove, rotate it so that the
cable is rubbing a different part of the
bushing. You should be able to do this
three or four times before the bushing
needs replacing.
Thoroughly lube the M2 beFore storage, especially its moving parts.
Some units
are storing their M2s bone dry, which lets corrosion do a number on the weapons.
The M2 needs as much lube protection as the other weapons in the arms rooms.
Don’t go blank on blank fring.
When you install the blank fring
attachment (BFA) on the M2, don’t
forget the BFA’s cartridge guide
assembly, NSN 1005-01-092-9537.
The guide, which goes in the feed
tracer, compensates for the shorter
blank round. Without it, the M2
jams.
But to install the cartridge guide,
you must remove the cartridge stop.
Armorers, remove the stops
beFore
your M2s go to the fring range to
fre blanks or you’ll likely never
see the stops again. And remember
to reinstall the cartridge stops when
you remove the BFAs. Otherwise,
the M2s won’t fre.
Understand how the butter±y trigger
works.
The bolt release latch is not what
you press to fre. The latch acts as a selector
switch. If the latch inside the receiver is in the
up position, the M2 fres in automatic mode.
IF it’s down, the M2 fres single shot. IF your
M2 is fring single shot, make sure the bolt
release latch is completely depressed before
you yell for help. Holding the latch release
completely down with your thumb prevents
the latch from catching the bolt and keeps
your M2 fring automatic.
M2 Machine Gun…
Hotshot Shooting Help!
M48 Machine Gun…
Rotation
Extends
Bushing Life
Make sure cartridge
guide is installed
Rotate bushing after
charging cable cuts
groove in it
Latch must be completely
depressed for automatic fire
Store cartridge stop in arms room
hey!
you
gotta take
my barrel
off
first!
These tips can keep your
M2 machine gun firing
smoothly and effectively
on the battlefield…
wow!
your
m2 is really
firing
well!!
yeah, he’s a real
hotshot
thanks
to my pm!
696.24-25.indd
1-2
10/5/10
10:56 AM
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