42
PS 720
NOV 12
Dear Editor,
When you replace the breech insert for the
M203 grenade launcher, you are supposed to
use yellow sealing compound (Loctite®), NSN
very difficult to get through the Army supply
system because it has been misclassified as
Class IV instead of IX.
We found one good commercial source
for the sealing compound. ACCRAbond sells
a box of 10cc bottles for less than $50.
Their version is called INSTAbond 406. Their
website is:
l
Patrick Rogalin
Ft Devens, MA
Editor’s note:
The yellow
Loctite is the
only
loctite you
should use for replacing the
breech insert. Testing has
determined it is the best for
the job. It is a DLA-managed
item. When we checked, they
had only 40 bottles on-hand,
so it may continue to be a
problem getting it through
the supply system. If you do
an Internet search for yellow
Loctite®, you will Fnd other
commercial sources.
M2A1
machine gunners are sometimes getting it wrong when they install the barrel. The
result is that the barrel’s locking pin is sheared off during firing and the barrel has to be
replaced. You could end up in a barrel of trouble if you’re not careful.
Here’s how to install the barrel correctly:
± Will± there± be± separate± NSNs± for± the± new±
M2A1±machine±gun’s±breech±locks?
Yes, each of the M2A1’s 16 breech locks have
been assigned individual NSNs. You can find
them in WP 0038 00-6 in TM 9-1005-347-23&P.
The breech lock kit, NSN 1005-01-541-
3657, can no longer be ordered. It’s Item 16 in
WP 0038 00-5
1.±
With the cover assembly
all the way up, retract the
bolt assembly far enough
so that the barrel locking
spring lug centers in the
barrel locking spring hole
on the right side of the
receiver.
2.±
Insert the barrel
assembly into the barrel
support until the barrel
locking pin engages the
alignment slot.
3.±
Push the barrel assembly
to the rear until the
locking pin engages the
alignment slot. Grasp
the barrel carrying
handle. Rotate the barrel
assembly clockwise and
secure the locking pin in
the retention slot.
4.±
Make sure the barrel’s
end protrudes beyond
the lower barrel
extension threads.
5.±
Release the retracting
slide handle and allow
the bolt to go forward.
Close the cover assembly.
M203 Grenade Launcher…
Where to Buy
Yellow
LoCtite
M2A1
Machine Gun…
All M2A1
breech locks have
individual NSNs
hold
on there,
bud.
that’s
red
loctite.
the
only
loctite you
can use on the
breech insert
is
yellow!
but I
don’t know
where to
find the
yellow
loctite!
hold
it right
there!
you’re in a
baRrel Of
Trouble!
ps
knows!
Locking
spring
lug
Alignment slot
Barrel
support
Alignment slot
Locking
pin
Locking
pin
Retention slot
Locking
spring
hole
Don’t Screw Up Screwing In Barrel
720 42-43.indd
1-2
10/2/12
5:13 PM
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