a. Trigger Manipulation. The trigger is pulled to the rear and then released. This gives the rifleman control of the number of rounds fired in each burst. The sustained rate of fire (100 rounds per minute) is delivered in bursts of 3 to 5 rounds which are fired 4 to 5 seconds apart. The rapid rate of fire (200 rounds per minute) is delivered in bursts of 6 to 8 rounds which are fired 2 to 3 seconds apart.
b. Traverse and Search
To make minor changes in direction, or traverse, the rifleman shifts his shoulders to the right or left to select successive aiming points in the target area. Major changes require him to redistribute his weight to his elbows and toes and raise his body off the ground. Using his toes, he shifts his body to the right or left to be in the opposite direction of the tar- get, and pivots on his elbows until he is once again aligned with the target. He rapidly assumes a steady Figure 2-50. Firing From Under the Arm.
position, obtains the proper sight picture, and en- gages the target.
A search is movement of the weapon’s muzzle up or down to distribute fire in depth. To make changes in elevation, the rifleman moves his elbows closer to- gether to lower the muzzle or farther apart to raise the muzzle. Gross errors in range are corrected by adjusting the range setting with the elevation knob. c. Prone Position, Bipod-Supported. This is the preferred position for employment of the SAW. This position provides the most stable platform for firing the weapon and affords the automatic rifleman the best opportunity to provide the most accurate fire possible out to the maximum effective range of the weapon. See figure 2-48.
Assume a prone position to the rear of the weapon and place the shoulder rest on the firing shoulder. An imaginary line drawn through the weapon should bisect the firing shoulder and but- tock and continue through the heel of the foot. Spread the legs a comfortable distance apart with heels as close to the ground as possible and yet still be comfortable.
Grasp the pistol grip with the firing hand with the fleshy end of the index finger resting lightly on the trigger. Place the non-firing hand on the small of the stock with the thumb curled underneath. Slide the non-firing hand forward until the little finger touches the receiver, so the aiming point will always be the same.
Place the cheek against the forefinger of the non- firing hand to form a stock weld. Try to position the non-firing hand and cheek at the same spot on
the stock each time the weapon is fired. The stock weld should provide for a natural line of sight through the center of the rear sight aperture to the front sight post and to the target. Relax the neck so that the cheek rests on the forefinger naturally. Apply a firm, steady pressure rearward and down, holding the weapon tightly into the hollow of the shoulder while aiming and firing.
Keep the shoulders level and elbows about an equal distance from the receiver of the weapon. d. Assault Fire Techniques. The bipod sup- ported prone position is the preferred firing position for the SAW; however, it may sometimes be neces- sary to employ the weapon from more hasty posi- tions. This should only be done when absolutely necessary because the accuracy of the fire is greatly diminished. For example, assault fire techniques may be used for initial bursts of suppression fire prior to assuming the prone position, in a chance en- counter with the enemy, or for suppression fire as the automatic rifleman moves quickly through an ob- jective toward consolidation.
(1) Firing from the hip. In the preferred assault fire technique, the automatic rifleman grasps the bipod legs close to the receiver, squeezes them together, and maintains pressure on them downward and to the left as he fires. Another technique is to grasp the handguard assembly, maintaining pressure down and to the left. With either technique he places the butt- stock firmly against his hip and holds it there by steady inward pressure from his right forearm while firmly gripping the trigger assembly with his right hand. He leans forward at the waist and bends his
knees slightly as he fires. His feet should be kept shoulder width apart when firing. See figure 2-49.
(2) Firing from under the arm. The automatic rifle- man grasps the handguard maintaining pressure downward and to the left during firing. He places the buttstock firmly under his arm and holds it in place with steady inward pressure from his upper arm while firmly gripping the trigger assembly with his
right hand. He leans forward at the waist and bends his knees slightly as he fires. His feet should be kept shoulder width apart when firing. See figure 2-50.
2805. Change Barrel Procedures
The ability to change the barrels of the SAW quickly provides a great advantage. It allows one barrel to be used while the other is cooling. Barrels should be changed when they are beginning to overheat. Changing a barrel only takes a few seconds and sig- nificantly improves rate of fire and accuracy, in- creases the life of each barrel, and ensures a continuous rapid rate of accurate fire. As a guide, change barrels after firing the rapid rate for 2 minutes.
The barrel can be changed with the bolt forward or to the rear. The weapon does not necessarily need to be unloaded; however, it must be placed on SAFE when the bolt is to the rear. The automatic rifleman depresses the barrel release latch and holds it down. The assistant automatic rifleman grasps the barrel changing handle, pulls forward and up and removes the barrel from the receiver. While the automatic ri- fleman continues to hold down on the barrel release latch the assistant inserts the new barrel into the re- ceiver, ensures that the gas system is aligned, and pulls to the rear on the barrel changing handle to fully seat the new barrel. The automatic rifleman re- leases the barrel release latch and the assistant gives a quick tug on the barrel to verify that it is locked in place. The automatic rifleman can now relay on tar- get and continue to fire. The automatic rifleman can easily change barrels by himself if the situation pre- cludes the assistant from helping him.