Sighting, Continued

Parts and

Function The table below lists the parts and function of the rear sight assembly.

Part Function

Windage Knob To make adjustments for the effects of wind, traverse the rear sight across the sliding scale.

· The sliding scale is marked with index lines that are equal to .5 mils.

· Each line on the sliding scale is equal and moves the strike of the round almost 2 (1.97”) inches at 100 meters.

Elevation Knob To make adjustments for range, move the rear sight to the range settings that are marked from 300 to 1,000 meters. · Even numbers are marked on the left side of the scale

and are numbered 4, 6, 8, 10.

· Odd numbers are on the right side and are marked with the number 3 and three index lines, representing 300, 500, 700, 900 meters.

Notes: For fine adjustments in range, you can move the peep sight nine 180-degree turns between range lines. Doing so moves the strike of the rounds almost 2 (1.97”) inches at 100 meters.

The table below shows at various distances what one click moves the strike of the round.

One click moves the strike… Distance from target in meters _{In centimeters In inches}

100 5 2 200 10 4 300 15 6 400 20 8 500 25 10 600 30 12 700 35 14 800 40 16 900 45 18

MCI Course 8017A 3-54 Study Unit 3, Lesson 4

Firing

Introduction Firing the M249 SAW actually consists of three procedures: · Loading (200-round box or 30-round magazine)

· Firing · Zeroing Loading the 200-Round Ammunition Box

To engage targets with the M249 SAW, you must first load ammunition into the weapon.

The table below lists the procedure to load the 200-round ammunition box into the M249 SAW.

Step Action

1 Charge the weapon.

2 Open the cover assembly by squeezing the cover latches.

3 Raise the feed tray and look into the chamber to be sure that there is no round chambered.

4 Lower the feed tray.

5 Align the box latch with the receiver dovetail and attach the 200- round ammunition box to the underside of the receiver.

6 Place the link belt in the feed tray; making certain the open side of the links is down with the first round against the cartridge stop as shown in the picture below.

7 Hold the belt in position and close the cover assembly.

Firing,

Emergency

Situations During emergency situations, a 30-round magazine may be loaded into the _{M249 SAW.}

Loading the 30- Round

Magazine

The table below lists the steps to load the 30-round magazine into the M249 SAW.

Step Action

1 Insert the magazine into the magazine well on the left side of the receiver as shown in the picture below.

2 Push the magazine firmly to the right until it bottoms in the well and the magazine release tab “clicks” into the recess in the magazine.

Note: You cannot insert the magazine while a 200-round ammunition box is attached to the weapon.

MCI Course 8017A 3-56 Study Unit 3, Lesson 4

Firing,

Using the Bipod in the Prone Position

If the automatic rifleman aims his weapon correctly and properly applies a steady hold he can become a formidable weapon on the battlefield. The table below lists the steps to fire the M249 SAW with the bipod in the prone position.

Step Action

1 Assume a prone position to the rear of the weapon with the shoulder rest on your firing shoulder.

2 Spread your legs a comfortable distance apart with heels as close to the ground as possible.

3 Grasp the pistol grip with your firing hand.

4 Place your nonfiring hand on the small of the stock with your little finger touching the receiver.

5 Place your cheek against the forefinger of your nonfiring hand and apply a firm, steady pressure rearward and down.

Firing,

Aiming the

M249 SAW To aim the M249 SAW, the automatic rifleman must align the sights, focus _{his eye, and obtain a correct sight picture for rounds to hit target. The}

fundamentals to be successful on the battlefield are listed below.

Sight

Alignment Align the hooded front sight post horizontally and vertically in the center of _{the rear sight aperture (peep sight).}

Sight Picture While applying sight alignment, place the front sight post on the center base of the target.

MCI Course 8017A 3-58 Study Unit 3, Lesson 4

Firing,

Field Zeroing To successfully engage targets, the automatic rifleman must zero the M249 SAW. The table below lists the steps to field zero the M249 SAW.

Step Action

1 Center the rear sight by

· Rotating the windage knob until the peep sight is completely to the right.

· Rotating the windage knob backwards 12 clicks.

Note: To check your sight, start with the sight all the way to the right. Rotate the windage knob backwards until it stops the left side. Count the clicks and divide this number by two.

2 Rotate the elevation knob to the desired range.

Note: A 300-meter range is recommended because of the ease to determine adjustments for the center of the beaten zone.

3 Fire a three- to five-round burst on the center of your target. 4 To make windage changes, moving the windage knob

· Forward (right) to move the impact to the right. · Backward (left) to move the impact to the left. 5 Change elevation by rotating the peep sight

· Clockwise to lower the impact. · Counterclockwise to raise the impact.