Lesson 9.pdf

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-84 Rifle Lesson 9. Mechanism of the Weapon, Immediate Action, and Stoppages Instructors Notes 1-235. Aim. To teach the mechanism of the weapon, the immediate action, and stoppages. a. How the weapon operates. b. How to recognise and remedy s...

Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-84 Rifle Lesson 9. Mechanism of the Weapon, Immediate Action, and Stoppages Instructors Notes 1-235. Aim. To teach the mechanism of the weapon, the immediate action, and stoppages. a. How the weapon operates. b. How to recognise and remedy stoppages. 1-236. Timings. Two 40-minute periods (to be covered in one training session). 1-237. Method. A basic indoor or outdoor instructional lesson. 1-238. Stores. Rifle fitted with iron sight and sling 1 per cadet/CFAV Magazines 2 per cadet/CFAV Magazine platform depressors 1 per magazine 5.56mm drill rounds 3 per cadet/CFAV Figure Targets/Representative Figure Targets as required Ground Sheets optional 1-239. Preparation. a. Site representative targets as required. b. Lay out drill rounds. c. Prepare posters (optional). 1-240. Miscellaneous. a. Further information concerning the mechanism can be found in the Army Equipment Support Publications (AESP). b. Allow the squad to use their weapons to aid any explanation they may make in answer to questions on the mechanism. c. At suitable opportunities the instructor should impress on the cadets that unauthorised modifications to the rifle or other tampering with the mechanism is dangerous and constitutes an offence. d. The squad are to test and adjust position, aim and fire as taught on completing any stoppage drill. e. To prevent the bolt carrier assembly being held to the rear, on cocking the weapon with an empty magazine fitted, all magazines used during stoppage drills must be fitted with depressors. f. During initial teaching and practice the following words of command should be used to indicate stoppages and the condition of the rifle: (1) “Rifle firing alright - Rifle stops”. (2) “Cocking handle fully forward”. (3) “Cocking handle NOT fully forward”. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 485 (4) “Rounds in the magazine - chamber clear”. (5) “Obstruction” (6) “Obstruction Clear”. (7) “Chamber clear” (8) “Empty Magazine” (9) After IA and attempted resumption of firing order - “Rifle still fails to fire”. (10) After remedial action and resumption of firing order - “Rifle firing alright”. g. When teaching the empty magazine drills tell the squad to cock the weapon and apply the holding open catch. Start the drill by ordering “Rifle Stops” then “Empty Magazine”. Subsequent drill is then realistic. h. Further practice can be conducted with the cadets working in pairs, one firer and one cocker. A stoppage is signified when the latter fails to cock the rifle after a dry shot is fired, or when they cock it and apply the holding open catch. Assistants are to watch the instructor for a signal to leave the bolt forward or held back. i. Actions on examining the body and chamber: The instructor can imply the cause of the stoppage/condition of the rifle by using the appropriate words of command or by showing an empty magazine, a magazine with rounds correctly in place or a magazine with the top round misplaced. Preliminaries 1-241. Safety Precautions. Normal. (to include checking of Drill Rounds). Fit magazines with depressors. Fill one magazine with three drill rounds 1-242. At night, weapons must be inspected using a white light torch to ensure that the chambers are clear. 1-243. Revision. Name parts which will assist in teaching the mechanism. At the end of revision load the weapons with the magazine containing the three drill rounds. Introduction 1-244. Explain: If the weapon, magazines, and ammunition are kept clean and correctly maintained, few stoppages will occur. It has been found that one of the principal causes of stoppages is inadequate lubrication. If the cadet knows how the weapon functions and is able to recognise the symptoms of a particular stoppage, they will be able to determine the cause and carry out the necessary remedial actions, thereby getting the weapon firing properly again as quickly as possible. No attempt should be made to tamper with the mechanism or carrying out unauthorised modifications. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-86 Conduct of the Lesson Basic Mechanism 1-245. The weapon should be loaded and made ready with the magazine containing drill rounds. In addition, the top cover should be opened when explaining the gas parts (see Figs 1-52 to 1-57). Explain and Demonstrate: a. When the safety catch is at Safe (S) the trigger cannot be fully operated. b. (Squad to look in through dust cover recess) When the safety catch is at Fire (F) and the trigger is pressed, the hammer is released and hits the rear of the firing pin, driving it forward on to the cap in the base of the round. The round is fired, and gases are produced which drive the bullet up the barrel. c. (Open the top cover). Some of this gas enters the gas block and is diverted by the gas plug into the gas cylinder driving the piston to the rear and compressing the piston spring. d. The rear of the piston strikes the carrier, forcing it backwards. The compressed piston spring re-asserts itself and forces the piston forward again. e. The bolt is unlocked by the rearward movement of the carrier forcing the cam stud down the cam stud slot. f. (Cock, then hold back and look in ejection opening). The carrier and the bolt go back together, cocking the hammer as they go. The empty case is withdrawn from the chamber by the extractor and ejected out of the weapon to the right. The shape of the cocking handle helps deflect the empty case away from the weapon. The return spring on the guide rod is also compressed at this stage. Rearward movement of the carrier and bolt ceases when the rear of the carrier strikes the buffer. g. The return spring will re-assert itself and aided by the buffer drives the carrier and bolt forward. As it does so, the bolt feeds the next round out of the magazine and into the chamber. The extractor grips the round, and the ejector is compressed. The bolt is rotated to lock into the barrel extension by the continuing forward movement of the carrier forcing the cam stud to slide up the cam slot. It is not before the parts are fully forward and locked that the safety sear can operate allowing the hammer into its ready position. This in turn can only happen on the trigger being released. A distinct click will be heard. h. The weapon is now ready to fire again. i. This action will continue each time the trigger is operated until the last round has been fired and rearward action takes place. The working parts will then be held to the rear by the holding open catch being lifted up by the magazine platform. 1-246. Confirm by questions. a. Safety Catch d. Bolt Release Catch AC 71807-C Aug 23 b. Trigger & Trigger Guard e. Holding Open Catch c. Trigger Bar f. Buffer Assembly Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-90 Fig 1-56 Forward Action Fig 1-57 Trigger Released Immediate Action (IA) 1-247. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: If the weapon fails to fire or stops firing, the following IA is to be carried out: a. Put the Safety catch to Safe (S), tilt the weapon to the left and look at the AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 491 position of the cocking handle b. Actions will depend on what is seen. 1-248. Confirm by practice. Cocking Handle Fully Forward 1-249. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: If the cocking handle appears to be fully forward, tap forward on the cocking handle with the left hand, test and adjust, put the safety catch to Fire (F) and continue firing at the rate ordered. 1-250. Confirm by practice. Loose Magazine 1-251. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: a. If the weapon still fails to fire after carrying out the drill for cocking handle fully forward, put the safety catch to Safe (S) tilt the weapon slightly to the right and cock the weapon, apply the holding open catch and look into the body and chamber. b. If there are rounds in the magazine and the chamber and body are clear, check the magazine is correctly fitted, operate the bolt release catch, tap forward on the cocking handle, test and adjust, put the safety catch to Fire (F) and continue firing at the rate ordered. 1-252. Confirm by practice. Obstruction 1-253. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: a. When carrying out the IA drill if the cocking handle is in any other position than fully forward or fully rearward, tilt the weapon slightly to the right and cock the weapon, apply the holding open catch and look inside the body and chamber. b. If there is an obstruction in the body or chamber, remove the magazine and attempt to shake the obstruction clear. If the obstruction cannot be cleared inform a CFAV. c. Visually inspect the chamber and body to ensure they are clear, replace the magazine. Then operate the bolt release catch, tap forward on the cocking handle, test and adjust, put the safety catch to Fire (F) and continue firing at the rate ordered. 1-254. Confirm by practice. Empty Magazine 1-255. The squad are to cock their weapons and apply the holding open catch, then Explain and Demonstrate the squad imitating: a. If the rifle stops firing carry out the IA drill and you find that the cocking handle is fully to the rear, the magazine is empty and the body and chamber are clear, change the magazine, operate the bolt release catch, tap forward on the AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 4-92 cocking handle, test and adjust, put the safety catch to Fire (F) and continue firing at the rate ordered. b. The magazine pouch is to be secured at the earliest opportunity. 1-256. Confirm by practice. 1-257. Instructors are to Explain: a. At night these checks must be conducted with white light. b. It is important that any round involved in a stoppage (live or blank), whether it appears damaged or not, is not to be loaded into a magazine, nor any attempt is made to fire it. Such rounds are to be returned to the ammunition compound by an CFAV for disposal. c. Stress the need to test and adjust position after any stoppage and before continuing firing. 1-258. Confirm by questions and practice. Further Action 1-259. Explain and Demonstrate, the squad imitating: If the obstruction in the chamber cannot be removed during the initial remedial action, the chamber is being repeatedly obstructed, the weapon is hard to cock or the weapon will not fire after carrying out an initial remedial action the cadet is to take no further action themselves. They are to inform an CFAV immediately, making sure that the safety catch is on Safe (S), raising their hand and calling for assistance. The instructor is then to carry out the following action: a. Unload the weapon, do not operate the trigger, or close the dust cover and remove the TMH, bolt and bolt carrier. b. Inspect the extractor, ejector, retaining pins, the firing pin protrusion, and the chamber. c. If the obstructed chamber is due to a broken or damaged extractor, consult an Armourer. d. If the chamber does not appear obstructed and there are no damaged parts, examine it for a separated case. If one is found or suspected consult an Armourer. e. Tools taken from the maintenance kit must be returned as soon as possible. f. If the bolt has to be continually forward assisted, cock the weapon, engage the holding opening device and lubricate liberally. Using the barrel extension cleaner, clean the chamber and locking splines. Liberally lubricate the exposed guide rods and bolt head, release the working parts, and allow the cadet to continue firing. g. If continual stoppages occur, the weapon is to be thoroughly cleaned and examined. Particular attention must be paid to the gas affected parts. The gas plug ports, gas plug bore, and gas cylinder should be reamed out using the reamers on the combination tool. The weapon is to be lubricated before re-assembly, regardless of the satisfactory function of the system. AC 71807-C Aug 23 Handling Instructions: For MOD Cadet Forces Use Only 493 Note: When teaching CFAV sub-paras a to g are to be taught. 1-260. Confirm by practice and questions. Conclusion 1-261. End of Lesson Drill. a. Questions from the squad on the entire lesson. b. Confirm by questions and practice as time permits, with cadets using their own rifle mechanisms to illustrate their answers. c. Remove all drill rounds. d. Remove depressors from magazines. e. Safety Precautions. Normal. f. Pack kit and check that the cleaning rolls are complete. g. Summary. To include the following: (1) The importance of maintaining the weapon and ammunition in a clean condition. (2) The importance of liberally lubricating the weapon to prevent stoppages in the first instance. h. A forecast of the squad’s next lesson on this subject. Rifle Lesson 10. Aiming Off and Alteration of Sights Instructors Notes 1-262. Aim. To teach how to correct errors by altering the POA. a. Factors Affecting Application of Fire. b. Range Targets. c. Aiming Off. d. Miss Drill. AC 71807-C Aug 23