PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-741

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 741

AUGUST 2014
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-741 - Page 24 of 33
44
PS 741
AUG 14
Dear Editor,
As an armament tech, I correct armorers about using the wrong lubes
on weapons all the time. I think it would be a great idea for
PS
to summarize
which lubes can be used on which weapons. That would clear up some of
the confusion.
CW2 Ryan Harmon
Camp Casey, Republic of Korea
CLP and LSA can be used on most weapons as long as the temperature is -10°F
or higher. When the temperature drops below 10°F, you can use
LAW
(lubricating
oil, arctic, weapons). If it’s below -10°F, use only LAW on most weapons.
There are exceptions, though. For the
M249 machine gun
and the
M3 recoiless
rife,
use only CLP regardless of the temperature.
On the
M231 Fring port weapon,
don’t use CLP. Use only LSA in normal
conditions and LAW in extreme cold.
For the
MK 19,
never use CLP—
it’s not strong enough. Use
GMD
(grease,
molybdenum
disul±de)
if
you can get it. If you can’t, use LSA
or LSA-T. If the temperature drops
below 0°F, it’s OK to use LAW.
When
you’re
lubing,
remember
a
light
lube
means
a
±lm
barely
visible to the eye. A heavy lube means
a ±lm thick enough to spread with
your ±nger.
If you need the NSNs for these lubricants and cleaners, see your -10 TM or
Page 23 in PS 671 (Oct 08) at:
Now that you’ve got the whole lube story, make sure armorers and Soldiers read
the story. Copy this article and hand it out at the next Sergeant’s Time. Post it on
bulletin boards, too.
Editor’s note:
That’s a great idea! Here we go:
Small arms lubricants differ in viscosity (how easily they ²ow), chemical
composition and heat resistance. These characteristics dictate which lubricant
to use depending on the weapon and environmental conditions. Your -10 TM is
always the best guide to cleaning and lubing your weapons, but here are some
general guidelines on lubricants:
RBC
(ri²e bore cleaner) is not a lubricant. It’s strictly for cleaning out carbon
and powder from the chamber and bore. Remember, when you’re ±nished using
RBC, you need to lube your weapon.
CLP
(cleaner, lubricant, preservative) is usually the best choice for taking care
of your weapon since it cleans, lubes and preserves in one step.
LSA
(lubricant, semi-²uid, automatic weapons) and
LSA-T
(lubricant, semi-
²uid, automatic weapons with Te²on®) are strictly lubricants. So before using
them you must ±rst clean your weapons with dry cleaning solvent, MIL-PRF-680
Type II.
Always de-grease thoroughly when changing lubes.
clp isn’t
strong enough
for your mk 19.
use gmd, lsa,
or lsa-t.
Small Arms…
which
lube goes on
which
weapon?
Do
soldiErs
know?
if They Don’t,
I hope they
read this!
741 44-45.indd
1-2
6/20/14
5:15 PM
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