Operational Medicine 2001
Field Medical Service School
Student Handbook

M16A2 ASSUALT RIFLE FAMILIARIZATION
FMSS CLASS 0210
15 NOV 99

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.      Given a M16A2 service rifle, and required equipment, fire the M16A2 assault rifle per the references.  (FMST.02.10)

2.      Given a M16A2 service rifle, and required cleaning gear and lubricants, clean the M16A2 assault rifle per the reference.  (FMST.02.11)

ENABLING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list, select the characteristics of the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.10a)

2.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list, select the parts and safety features on the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.10b)

3.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list, identify the four safety rules for the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.10c)

4.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list, select the four carrying conditions for the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.10d)

5.      Without the aid of reference materials and given a list, select the proper weapon commands for the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.10e)

6.      While on range with a M16A2 service rifle, cartridge belt, magazines, magazine pouch, and ammunition, fire the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.0210f)

7.      Without the aid of reference materials and provided a M16A2 service rifle, disassemble, clean, and reassemble the M16A2 service rifle, per the student handout.  (FMST.02.10g)

OUTLINE

A.     DESCRIPTION.

1.      The M16A2 rifle is a 5.56mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapon that can be fired either in automatic three-round bursts or semiautomatic single shots as determined by  the position of the selector switch.

2.      The upper receiver and barrel assembly has fully adjustable rear and front sights and a compensator that helps keep the muzzle down during firing.

3.      A rubber pad mounted on the butt stock and a buffer assembly inside the butt stock helps absorb the recoil when fired.

4.      The barrel is surrounded by two aluminum lined Fiberglass hand guards which are notched to permit air to circulate and cool the barrel and also protect the gas tube.

     5.  A bayonet and/or bipod can be attached to the barrel of this weapon individually or at the same time.

B.     CHARACTERISTICS.

The following are some of the characteristics of the M16A2 rifle:

D.      SAFETY RULES.

1.      Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.

2.      Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.

3.      Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

4.      Keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire.

E.      SAFETY FEATURES.

1.      SAFE WEAPON.  When the selector lever (located on the left side) is pointing forward, to safe.

2.      COMPLETE SAFE WEAPON.  Complete safe weapon:  the magazine is removed, selector lever on safe and the bolt locked to the rear.

F.      WEAPON CARRYING CONDITIONS.

1.      Condition One.  Magazine inserted, round in the chamber, bolt is forward, ejection port cover is closed, and the weapon is on  safe.

2.      Condition Two.  Not applicable for the M-16.

3.      Condition Three.  Magazine inserted, chamber is empty, bolt forward, ejection port cover is closed, and the weapon is on safe.

4.      Condition Four.  Magazine removed, chamber empty, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed, and the weapon is on safe.

G.   CLEARING THE M16A2 SERVICE RIFLE.  The first consideration in handling any weapon is to ensure the weapon is clear.  To clear the M16 rifle:

1.      Attempt to place the selector lever on SAFE.  If the weapon is not cocked, the selector lever cannot be placed on SAFE.  In either case go on to the next step.

2.      Remove the magazine.

3.      Lock the bolt carrier to the rear.

4.      Inspect the receiver and chamber, both visually and physically.

5.      Check the selector lever to ensure that it points toward SAFE.

NOTE: THE RIFLE IS CLEAR ONLY WHEN THERE IS NO ROUND IN THE CHAMBER, THE MAGAZINE IS OUT, BOLT CARRIER IS LOCKED TO THE REAR, THE SELECTOR LEVER IS IN THE "SAFE" POSITION.

H.     DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY.

1.      Field stripping.

a.       Ensure that weapon is clear.

b.      Let the bolt go home and keep selector lever on safe.

c.       Press the takedown pin and the pivot pin to the right and separate the upper and lower receivers.

d.      Remove charging handle and bolt carrier.

e.       Disassemble bolt carrier group, including the extractor.  Figure 2.

f.        Remove buffer assembly.

g.       Remove handguards.

Figure 2.

2.      Detailed disassembly.  It is not authorized by anyone other than armorers.

3.      Assembly.  Reverse the order of disassembly.

a.       Replace handguards.

b.      Replace buffer assembly.

c.       Reassemble the bolt carrier group.

d.      Replace charging handle and bolt carrier.

e.       Reassemble upper and lower receivers and reseat the pivot pin and take down pin to the left.

 4.      Function check.  A function check of the rifle consists of checking the operation of the rifle while the selector lever is in each position; SAFE, SEMI, and BURST.

a.       Pull charging handle to the rear and release.  Place selector lever on SAFE.  Pull trigger.  Hammer should not fall.

b.      Place selector lever on SEMI.  Pull trigger and hold to the rear.  Hammer should fall.  Pull charging handle to the rear and release.  Release trigger and pull to the rear again.  Hammer should fall.

c.       Place selector lever on BURST.  Pull charging handle to the rear and release.  Pull trigger and hold to the rear.  Hammer should fall.  Pull charging handle to the rear three times and release.  Release trigger and pull again.  Hammer should fall.

I.        FUNCTIONING.  The cycle of functioning consists of eight basic steps: feeding, chambering, locking, firing, unlocking, extracting, ejecting and cocking.  More than one of these steps can take place at the same time.  Functioning in the rifle may be either burst-controlled or semiautomatic through the use of the selector lever.

1.      Semiautomatic fire.  

a.       Feeding.  As the bolt carrier moves rearward and clears the top of the magazine, the follower and spring in the magazine push a new round up into the path of the bolt.

b.      Chambering.  As the bolt carrier moves rearward, the head of the buffer assembly is struck and forced rearward.  Expansion of the action spring sends the buffer assembly forward with enough force to drive the bolt carrier forward.  As the bolt carrier moves forward, the face of the bolt strips a round from the top of the magazine and pushes it into the chamber.

c.       Locking.  In the last half-inch of the forward movement, the bolt cam pin emerges from the guide channel in the upper receiver and moves along the cam track, rotating the bolt counterclockwise into the locked position.  Locking is complete when the lugs on the bolt and barrel extension are aligned.

d.      Firing.  As the shooter squeezes the trigger, it rotates on the trigger pin disengaging the nose of the trigger from the notch on the bottom on the hammer.  The hammer is thrown forward by the action of the hammer spring.  The hammer strikes the rear of the firing pin, driving the firing pin through the bolt into the primer of the round.

NOTE:  When the primer ignites the powder, the action of the gas forces the projectile through the barrel.  At the same time the gas moves through the barrel, passing the gas port located on the upper surface of the barrel (under the front sight assembly), a small portion of the gas passes through the gas port and into the gas tube.  The gas tube directs the gas through the bolt carrier key into the cylinder between the bolt carrier, causing the bolt carrier to move rearward.

e.       Unlocking.  As the bolt carrier moves to the rear, the bolt rotates clockwise until the locking lugs of the bolt are no longer aligned with the lugs in the barrel extension.

f.        Extracting.  As the bolt carrier continues its rearward movement, the expended cartridge is withdrawn from the chamber by the extractor claw.

g.       Ejecting.  The ejector is compressed into the face of the bolt.  As the bolt carrier clears the ejection port, the empty cartridge is thrown out by the ejector and spring.

h.       Cocking.  As the bolt carrier moves rearward it overrides the hammer forcing it down.  The lower hook of the hammer is then engaged by the disconnector.  When the trigger is released the hammer slips from the disconnector and is caught by the nose of the trigger preventing the hammer from going forward.  Cocking is now complete.

These are the eight steps in the cycle of functioning for the M16A2 for semiautomatic fire.  In firing the weapon automatically the same eight steps come into play.  However, there are certain actions in the lower receiver that are different.

J.       CARE AND CLEANING.

1.      General.  Normal care and cleaning will result in proper functioning of all parts of the weapon.  Improper maintenance causes stoppages and malfunctions.  Only "issue" type cleaning materials should be used.  These cleaning materials are carried by the rifleman in the compartment provided in the stock of the weapon.  Do not use any abrasive material to clean the rifle.  CLP is the only authorized lubricant for the M16A2 Rifle.

2.      Cleaning and lubrication of the barrel.

a.       Attach a bore brush to the cleaning rod, dip it in CLP, and brush the bore thoroughly.  Brush from the chamber to the muzzle using straight-through strokes.  Push the brush through the bore until it extends beyond the muzzle compensator.  Continue this process until the bore is free of carbon and fouling.  (Never reverse the direction of the brush while in the bore).  Remove the brush from the cleaning rod and dry the bore with clean M16 patches.  (M14 patches must be cut into four equal size patches).  DO NOT attempt to retract the patch until it has been pushed all the way out of the muzzle compensator.  CAUTION: The cleaning rod is to be supported by hand, one section at a time, to prevent flexing and damage to the bore.

b.      Attach the chamber-cleaning brush to a section of the cleaning rod.  Dip it in CLP, and insert it in the chamber.  Use five or six plunging strokes and three or four rotations (360 degrees) of the brush to clean the chamber.  Then remove the brush and dry the chamber thoroughly with clean patches.

c.       Clean the locking lugs in the barrel extension, using a small bristle brush dipped in CLP to remove all carbon deposits.  A tooth brush is good for this operation.

d.      Clean the protruding exterior of the gas tube in the receiver with the bore brush attached to a section of the cleaning rod.  The top of the gas tube can be cleaned by inserting the rod and brush in the back of the receiver.  The sides and bottom of the gas tube can be cleaned from the bottom of the receiver.

e.       After cleaning, lubricate the bore and locking lugs in the barrel extension by applying a light coat of CLP to prevent corrosion and pitting.  If the hand guards have been removed, rub a light coat of CLP on the surface of the barrel enclosed by the handguards.

f.        Place one or two drops of CLP on the front sight post and exercise it.

3.      Cleaning and lubrication of the bolt carrier group.

a.       Remove the bolt carrier group from the upper receiver and disassemble it.  Thoroughly clean all parts with a patch or bristle brush dipped in CLP.

b.      Clean the locking lugs of the bolt, using a small bristle brush and CLP.  Ensure that all carbon and metal filings are removed; then wipe it clean with dry patches and lubricate lightly.

c.       Use a small bristle brush dipped in CLP to scrub the extractor to remove carbon and metal filings.  Also clean the firing pin recess and the firing pin.

d.      When dry and before final assembly, apply a coat of CLP to the bolt body, rings and carrier key.  When bolt carrier group is reassembled apply a liberal amount of CLP to all exterior surfaces with particular emphasis to the friction points (i.e., rails and cam area).  PUT ONE DROP OF CLP IN THE CAM PIN TRACK AND TWO DROPS IN THE GAS PORTS.

4.      Cleaning and lubrication of the upper receiver.

a.       Clean the upper receiver until free of powder fouling with CLP.

b.      After cleaning, coat the interior surfaces of the upper receiver with CLP.  Pay particular attention to shiny surfaces which indicate areas of friction.

5.      Cleaning and lubrication of the lower receiver group.  

a.       Wipe any particles of dirt from the trigger mechanism with a clean patch or brush and place a drop of CLP on each of the pins for lubrication.

b.       Components of the lower receiver group can be cleaned with CLP and a brush.  Use a scrubbing action to remove all carbon residue and foreign material and then drain the CLP from lower receiver and wipe dry.

6.      Cleaning and lubrication of the magazine. 

a.       Disassemble the magazine, being careful not to stretch or bend the magazine spring.  Scrub the inside of the magazine with a bristle brush dipped in CLP and then wipe it dry.  CAUTION: The magazine is made of aluminum and does not need any lubrication.

b.      Scrub the spring clean of any foreign material using a bristle brush dipped in CLP.  Wipe dry and apply a very light coat of CLP to the spring.

K.    Weapons Commands.

1.      Execute "LOAD" taking the weapon from condition 4 to condition 3.

a.       Ensure the weapon is in condition 4.

b.      Withdraw the magazine from the magazine pouch.

c.       Ensure the magazine is filled.

d.      Fully insert magazine in the magazine well.

e.       Tug downward on the magazine to ensure that it is held into the rifle by the magazine catch.

f.        Close the magazine pouch.

g.       Close the ejection port cover.

2.      Execute "MAKE READY," taking the weapon from condition 3 to condition 1.

a.       Pull the charging handle fully to the rear and release.

b.      Check sights.

c.       Close ejection port cover (if time and situation permit).

NOTE:  To ensure that ammunition has been chambered, pull the charging handle slightly to the rear and visually inspect the chamber.  (You may tap the forward assist to ensure the bolt closes after inspecting the chamber.)

CAUTION:      Pulling the charging handle too far to the rear when inspecting the chamber may cause a double feed or ejection of one round of ammunition.

3.      Execute "FIRE"

a.       Take weapon off safe, and place finger on trigger.

b.      Engage target.

4.      Cease fire.  On the command "Cease Fire," perform the following:

a.       Place your trigger finger straight along the receiver.

b.      Place the weapon on safe.

5.      Execute "UNLOAD," taking the weapon from condition 1 to condition 4.

a.       Attempt to put the weapon on SAFE.

b.      Remove the magazine from the weapons and retain it on your person.

c.       Rotate weapon with ejection port down.

d.      Pull the bolt to the rear.

e.       Ensure the chamber is empty and no ammunition is present.

f.        Release the charging handle and observe bolt going forward on any empty chamber.

NOTE: Put the weapon on SAFE now if it would not go on SAFE earlier.

g.       Close ejection port cover.

h.       Check sights.

i.         Recover, inspect and insert any ejected ammunition into magazine (Omit this step at night).

j.        Return magazine to magazine pouch and close pouch.

6.      Execute "UNLOAD, SHOW CLEAR," taking the weapon from any condition to condition 4.

a.       Attempt to put weapon on SAFE.

b.      Remove the magazine from weapon and retain it on your person.

c.       Rotate weapon until ejection port is down.

d.      Lock the bolt to the rear.

e.       Ensure chamber is empty and no ammunition is present.

NOTE: Put weapon on SAFE now if it would not go on SAFE earlier.

f.        Have a second party inspect weapon to ensure no ammunition is present.

g.       Release bolt catch and observe bolt going forward on an empty chamber.

h.       Close ejection port cover.

i.         Check sights.

j.        Recover, inspect and insert any ejected ammunition into magazine (Omit this step at night).

k.      Return magazine to magazine pouch and close pouch.

REFERENCES

Rifle 5.56mm, M16A2, FM 23-9

Basic Rifle Marksmanship, FMFM 1-3

Field Firing Techniques, FMFM 1-3A

Basic Marksmanship, FMFM 0-8, 1993

Field Medical Service School
Camp Pendleton, California

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Operational Medicine 2001
Health Care in Military Settings

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