3.7 Weapons Familiarization

American Airmen serve in many vital roles; they are leaders, defenders, guardians and warriors. They fly, fight and win as they continue to defend our great Nation. To accomplish these roles all Airmen must familiarize themselves with the use and operation of the M16 rifle.

To prepare, you are issued an M16 Trainer Weapon and will fire an M16 rifle later in training. The M16 Trainer Weapon is easily identified by its blue external parts. The M16 Trainer Weapon closely simulates the nomenclature (weapon parts) and functions of the M16 rifle, with a few exceptions.

For safety reasons the Trigger Assembly is non-existent, the barrel is not chambered and the Gas Tube is not present. These items are excluded to ensure the training environment is a safe one.

Safety

You must follow these seven rules concerning weapon safety at all times:

  1. Treat all weapons as if they are loaded!
  2. Do not point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to shoot, injure or damage.
  3. Horseplay is not tolerated.
  4. Do not get ahead of your instructor or anticipate instructions.
  5. Handle the weapon only when told to do so.
  6. Keep your finger off the trigger until your weapon is on target.
  7. If at any time, you do not understand the instructions or have difficulty learning an operation or procedure, ask questions!

Nomenclature (M16 Parts)

The external nomenclature will be continually reinforced as you handle and maintain the weapon. The M16 is broken down in the images below.

Characteristics

The M16 rifle is a lightweight, gas operated, air-cooled, magazine fed and shoulder fired weapon. It can be fired in semi-automatic or automatic (3-round bursts).

The M16 has maximum rate of fire for each mode of fire. The first mode is semi-automatic, which fires at a maximum rate of 45 rounds per minute (rpm). Next, the automatic mode (3-round burst) fires at a maximum rate of 90 rpm. Lastly, the sustained mode fires at a maximum rate of 12 - 15 rpm.

A final characteristic of the M16 is the maximum range of fire that has two elements.

  • Maximum range: describes how far the rifle will actually fire; 3,938 yards (3,600 meters)
  • Maximum effective range: the greatest distance a shooter may be expected to hit a target using the sighting system. The maximum effective range for a point target is 602 yards (550 meters) and for an area target it is 875 yards (800 meters)

Clearing Barrel Procedures

  • Place the weapon at port arms and when directed, enter the clearing barrel zone and place the muzzle of the weapon into the barrel
  • Ensure the weapon is on safe (put the selector lever on safe, if applicable)
  • Ensure the magazine is out, leaving the magazine well empty (physically check the magazine well)
  • Lock the bolt to the rear and visually inspect the chamber and receiver. State, “Clear,” and then release the bolt
  • Close the ejection port cover and ensure the weapon is on safe again
  • State, “All Clear, Sir or Ma’am,” sling the rifle over your shoulder and depart the clearing zone

Carrying Your Weapon

Sling your weapon over either shoulder when transiting in and around the squadron area. Ensure the muzzle of the weapon is pointed upward and under control at all times; and ensure the weapon does not interfere with your ability to salute.

Disassembly

To properly disassemble the M16 Trainer Weapon follow these steps:

  • Clear the weapon
  • Allow the bolt to go forward
  • Separate the upper and lower receivers
  1. Push the takedown pin from left to right and pull it out from the right side. This causes the upper and lower receivers to pivot
  2. Push in the second pivot pin from left to right and pull it out from the right side to separate the upper and lower receivers

You may press both the takedown pin and pivot pin at the same time (NOTE: takedown and pivot pins cannot be removed)

  • Remove bolt carrier group and disassemble
  1. Pull back the charging handle and bolt carrier
  2. Remove the bolt carrier and then the charging handle
  • Remove firing pin retaining pin
  • Remove firing pin from the rear of the bolt carrier
  • Push bolt and bolt carrier together, rotate bolt cam pin 1/4 turn, and then lift out or turn carrier to side, allowing the bolt cam pin to drop out
  • Remove bolt assembly from carrier
  1. DO NOT remove extractor in the squadron area
  2. Extractor will be removed at Combat Arms Weapons Training only
  • Remove buffer and action spring
  1. Press in buffer
  2. Depress retainer with tip or end of the charging handle or firing pin and release buffer

Reassembly

  • When installing the bolt, ensure the extractor is at the 11 o’clock position and the ejector is at the 5 o’clock position when looking at the face of the bolt (this will ensure the bolt cam pin goes in the hole of the bolt)
  • CAUTION: install the bolt cam pin in the bolt carrier group. If it is not installed, the M16 rifle, which is capable of live fire, may cause serious injury or death
  • Install the firing pin, retaining pin from the left (wide, concave opening) to right side
  • Firing pin SHOULd NOT fall out when the bolt carrier group is turned upside down
  • Ensure the bolt is pulled forward (unlocked) before inserting the charging handle and bolt carrier group into the upper receiver
  • Insert buffer and buffer spring
  • Selector lever must be on “safe” to prevent damage to the weapon when closing the upper and lower receivers
  • Perform clearing procedures

Miscellaneous Steps

The following steps ARE NOT done during the Progress Check:

  • Magazine - Do NOT disassemble the magazine during disassembly in the squadron area (disassemble only at CATM Weapons Training)
  • Sling
  • Hand guards
  1. Remove one hand guard at a time
  2. Place the butt of the stock on a hard surface with the barrel pointed up
  3. Press the slip ring down at an angle and pull one hand guard free
  4. Repeat previous step for second hand guard

Cleaning, Inspection and Lubrication

The Physical Training (PT) Supply Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) maintains and issues cleaning tools and supplies for the M16. Use the M16 Cleaning Rod Kit to clean the M16 Trainer Weapon. The components of this kit are listed below:

M16 CLEANING ROD KIT

  • Bore brush
  • Chamber brush
  • Handled section (which converts into a “T” handle), three rod, sections, swab holder and swab
  • Bore, chamber, small arms cleaning brush (nylon bristle toothbrush) and pipe cleaners
  • Cleaner, Lubricant and Preservative (CLP)
  • NOTE: the words “lube” or “lubricant” as used in this chapter are used synonymously with CLP
  • Other lubrications may be used depending upon geographic locations or availability
  • DO NOT mix lubricants on the same weapon. The weapon must be thoroughly cleaned before changing from one lubricant to another

Rules and Guidelines

Normal care and cleaning will result in proper functioning of all parts of the weapon and help to maintain accuracy. However, improper maintenance causes stoppages and malfunctions. All weapons must be CLEARED before cleaning them.

Inspection

Inspect the Trainer Weapon for any broken, missing, worn, bent, cracked or otherwise damaged parts. If you find any parts that are missing, worn, bent, cracked or damaged bring it to the attention of your instructor.

Cleaning Groups

Each of the four cleaning groups are listed with the proper cleaning and lubrication procedures. Properly disassemble the M16 Trainer Weapon before you clean the individual components.

Upper Receiver

  • Attach the chamber-cleaning brush to a section of the cleaning rod
  1. Dip it in CLP and insert it in the chamber
  2. Use five or six plunging strokes and three or four, 360-degree rotations of the brush to clean the chamber
  3. Remove the brush and dry the chamber thoroughly with clean patches
  • Clean the locking lugs in the barrel extension using a nylon bristle toothbrush dipped in CLP to remove all of the carbon deposits
  • Clean the protruding exterior of the gas tube in the receiver with the bore brush attached to a section of the cleaning rod
  1. The top of the gas tube can be cleaned by inserting the rod and brush in the back of the receiver
  2. The sides and bottom of the gas tube can be cleaned from the bottom of the receiver
  • Lightly lubricate the bore and locking lugs in the barrel extension with CLP to prevent corrosion after cleaning
  • If the hand guards are removed, lightly coat CLP on the surface of the barrel enclosed by the hand guards
  • Attach a bore brush to the cleaning rod, dip it in CLP and brush the bore thoroughly
  1. 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
  2. NEVER reverse the direction of the brush while it is in the bore
  • Remove the brush from the cleaning rod and dry the bore with clean M16 patches
  • DO NOT attempt to retract the patch until it has been pushed all the way out of the muzzle compensator
  • USE CAUTION and ensure your hand supports the cleaning rod; clean one section at a time to prevent flexing and damaging the bore
  • Clean the upper receiver with a nylon bristle toothbrush dipped in CLP until it is free of dirt and carbon
  • After cleaning it, coat the interior surfaces of the upper receiver with CLP. Pay particular attention to shiny surfaces that indicate areas of friction

Bolt Carrier Group

  • Remove the bolt carrier group from the upper receiver and disassemble it
  • Thoroughly clean all parts with a patch or nylon bristle toothbrush dipped in CLP—NEVER use a metal brush as it will damage the surface
  • Clean the locking lugs of the bolt, using nylon bristle toothbrush and CLP. Ensure all carbon and metal filings are removed, wipe the parts clean with dry patches and lightly lubricate the area
  • Use a nylon bristle toothbrush dipped in CLP to scrub the extractor to remove carbon and metal filings. Also, clean the firing pin recess and the firing pin
  • DO NOT BREAK DOWN THE CARRIER TO THE EXTRACTOR PIN—this is only done at CATM
  • When the parts are dry and before reassembly, 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 (e.g., rails and cam area)
  • Put one drop of CLP in the bolt cam pin track and two drops in the gas ports

Lower Receiver

  • Wipe any particles of dirt from the trigger mechanism with a clean patch or nylon bristle toothbrush and place a drop of CLP on each of the pins for lubrication
  • Clean the components of the lower receiver group with nylon bristle toothbrush and CLP
  • Use a scrubbing action to remove all carbon residue and foreign material, drain the CLP from lower receiver and wipe dry

Additional Preventative Maintenance & Inspection

Take these additional preventative maintenance measures to keep your weapon in top working order.

  • In extreme climates that are either very hot or very cold, perform maintenance more frequently.
  • Inspect hidden surfaces of the bolt carrier assembly, upper receiver, barrel assembly and lower receiver for corrosion. If any corrosion is found during this check, clean and lubricate the parts
  • To help fight corrosion, remove all handprints with a dry wiping rag and lubricate the area with CLP.
  • Ensure to unload and check the inside of magazines frequently for corrosion and moisture. This includes wiping ammunition dry before reloading. NEvER brush or polish ammunition or coat with lubricant.
  • Use a muzzle cap or other protective equipment to protect the weapon whenever the tactical situation permits.
  • Muzzle caps are provided for each trainer weapon and must be attached to muzzle during inclement weather.

Hearing Protection

Hearing is a natural threat monitor and environmental sensor. Your ears are the most technologically advanced communications equipment in your body. Hearing is a 24-hour function that will warn of danger and keep you in touch with your wingman and unit.

Good hearing improves survivability and lethality at war, and good relationships at work and at home. Protect your ears from noise. One unprotected exposure to high level noise can cause permanent damage. Wearing hearing protection devices are critical when exposed to hazardous noise.

Hazardous noise can occur both on and off duty and it is important to have a general understanding of those sources (i.e. M16 Rifle, jet engines, jackhammers, air compressors, lawnmowers, rock concerts, etc.) Two types of hearing protection are earplugs and earmuffs.

Summary

Becoming familiar with and eventually gaining your expertise with the M16 rifle will go a long way in helping you become a Warrior Airman, and completing your duty as a leader, warrior, guardian of freedom and defender of the Nation.

Whenever performing disassembly and reassembly of the M16 Weapon, utilize the AF Core Values paying close attention to Excellence In All You Do. Attention to detail is necessary when handling the M16 rifle and Excellence In All You Do demands your concentration to weapons safety and proper assembly and disassembly procedures.

It will also contribute to mission success and help our great AF continue to fly, fight and win and be the best in the world.

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