EVALUATION GUIDELINES TO BE USED DURING TRAINING:
Condition: Given a M249 SAW and dummy ammunition.
Standard: The Marine must handle the weapon safely at all times without violating the four safety rules while performing a five-point safety check, execution of firing commands, and application of immediate and remedial action per the references.
PERFORMANCE STEPS:
1. Handle the weapon safely.
a. Apply the following safety rules at all times to ensure that only the intended target is engaged.
SAFETY RULES Rule 1 Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
Rule 2 Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.
Rule 3 Keep your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.
Rule 4 Keep the weapon on safe until you intend to fire.
b. A weapon’s readiness/safety stat us is described by one of four conditions contained in performance step 4.
2. Demonstrate a five-point safety check.
- Raise the cover on the feed mechanism assembly and conduct the five-point safety check for brass, links, or ammunition.
(1) Check the feed pawl assembly under the feed cover.
(2) Check the feed tray assembly.
(3) Lift the feed tray assembly and inspect the chamber.
(4) Check the space between the bolt assembly and the chamber.
(5) Insert two fingers of the left hand in the magazine well to extract any ammunition or brass.
3. Demonstrate the four safety rules.
- Follow the four safety rules described in step 1.
4. Demonstrate the applicable weapons conditions codes.
- The steps in the loading and unloading process take the rifle through four specific conditions of readiness for live fire.
CONDITION CODES
Condition 1 The bolt is locked to the rear. The safety is on. The source of ammunition is in position on the feed tray or in the magazine well. The cover is closed.
Condition 2 Not applicable.
Condition 3 The bolt is forward. The chamber is empty. The safety is off. The source of ammunition is in position on the feed tray or in the magazine well. The cover is closed.
Condition 4 The bolt is forward. The safety is off. The feed tray is clear of ammunition and/or no magazine is inserted. The cover is closed.
5. Execute the six firing commands.
a. Load: This command is used to place the M249 in condition 3.
(1) Execute LOAD using the belt-fed technique.
(a) Ensure the weapon is in condition 4.
(b) Open the feed tray cover.
(c) Place the first round of the belt in the feed tray groove with the open side of the link down.
(d) Close the feed tray cover.
(2) Execute LOAD using the magazine-fed technique.
(a) Ensure the weapon is in condition 4.
(b) Withdraw the magazine from the magazine pouch.
(c) Ensure the magazine is filled with rounds.
(d) Fully insert the magazine into the magazine well.
(e) Tug downward on the magazine to ensure that it is held in the weapon by the magazine catch.
(f) Close the magazine pouch.
b. Make Ready: This command is used to place the M249 in condition 1.
(1) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(2) Pull the cocking handle fully to the rear.
(3) Push the cocking handle fully forward to the locked position.
(4) Place the weapon on SAFE.
c. Fire: This command is used to specify when a Marine may engage targets.
(1) Take the weapon off safe and place your finger on the trigger.
(2) Engage target.
d. Cease Fire: This command is used to specify when a Marine must stop target engagement.
(1) Stop firing at target.
(2) Remove your finger from the trigger and place weapon on safe.
e. Unload: This command is used to place the M249 in condition 4.
(1) Execute UNLOAD using the belt-fed technique.
(a) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(b) Pull the cocking handle to the rear.
(c) Put the weapon on SAFE.
(d) Open the feed tray cover.
(e) Remove all ammunition and belt links.
(f) Lift the feed tray and inspect the chamber to ensure that no ammunition is present.
(g) Close the feed tray cover.
(h) Take the weapon off safe.
(i) While holding the cocking handle to the rear, pull the trigger and ease the bolt forward to the closed position.
(2) Execute UNLOAD using the magazine-fed technique.
(a) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(b) Remove the magazine from the weapon and retain it on your person.
(c) Pull the cocking handle to the rear.
(d) Put the weapon on SAFE.
(e) Open the feed tray cover.
(f) Lift the feed tray and inspect the chamber to ensure that no ammunition is present.
(g) Close the feed tray cover.
(h) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(i) While holding the cocking handle to the rear, pull the trigger and ease the bolt forward to the closed position.
f. Unload, Show Clear: This command is used when a second individual must check the weapon to verify that no ammunition is present before the rifle is placed in condition 4.
(1) Execute UNLOAD using the belt-fed technique.
(a) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(b) Pull the cocking handle to the rear.
(c) Put the weapon on SAFE.
(d) Open the feed tray cover.
(e) Remove all ammunition and belt links.
(f) Lift the feed tray and inspect the chamber to ensure that no ammunition is present.
(g) Have a second individual inspect the chamber to ensure that no ammunition is present.
(h) Close the feed tray cover.
(i) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(j) While holding the cocking handle to the rear, pull the trigger and ease the bolt forward to the closed position.
(2) Execute UNLOAD using the magazine-fed technique.
(a) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(b) Remove the magazine from the weapon and retain it on your person.
(c) Pull the cocking handle to the rear.
(d) Put the weapon on SAFE.
(e) Open the feed tray cover.
(f) Lift the feed tray and inspect the chamber to ensure that no ammunition is present.
(g) Have a second individual inspect the chamber to ensure that no ammunition is present.
(h) Close the feed tray cover.
(i) Take the weapon off SAFE.
(j) While holding the cocking handle to the rear, pull the trigger and ease the bolt forward to the closed position.
6. Demonstrate the bipod firing position.
a. Ensure the M249 is properly assembled and functioning for firing.
b. Set up bipod.
c. Hold legs together and pull them down from the handguard.
d. Release the legs so that they lock into the vertical position.
e. To extend bipod legs, push in on the latches and slide legs out.
f. Assume a prone position to the rear of the weapon and place the shoulder rest on your firing shoulder. An imaginary line drawn through the weapon should bisect the firing shoulder and buttock and continue through the heel of your foot.
g. Spread your legs a comfortable distance apart with your heels as close to the ground as possible and yet still be comfortable.
h. Grasp the pistol grip with your firing hand with the fleshy end of the index finger resting lightly on the trigger.
i. Place your nonfiring hand on the small of the stock with your thumb curled underneath.
j. Slide your nonfiring hand forward until your little finger touches the receiver, so your aiming point will always be the same.
k. Place your cheek against the forefinger of your nonfiring hand to form a stock weld. Try to position your nonfiring hand and cheek at the same spot on the stock each time you fire the weapon. 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.
l. Relax your neck so that your cheek rests on your forefinger naturally.
m. Apply a firm, steady pressure rearward and down, holding the weapon tightly into the hollow of your shoulder while aiming and firing.
n. Keep your shoulders level and elbows about an equal distance from the receiver of the weapon.
NOTE: The M249 ejects expended brass and links at a 90-degree angle to the RIGHT and downward from the weapon. Left-handed firers should roll their sleeves down to avoid the brass.
7. Apply immediate action.
a. Immediate action is the action taken to correct a stoppage without investigating its cause and quickly returning the weapon to action. Hang fire and cook off are two terms used to describe ammunition condition in conjunction with immediate action procedures.
(1) A hang fire occurs when the cartridge primer has detonated after being struck by the firing pin but some problem with the propellant powder causes it to burn too slowly and this delays the firing of the projectile.
(2) A cook off occurs when the heat of the barrel is high enough to cause the propellant powder inside the round to ignite even though the primer has not been struck.
WARNING: If a round is not ejected and the barrel is hot (200 rounds fired in a 2-minute period), DO NOT open the feed tray cover. Put the weapon on safe and allow 15 minutes for cooling. After 15 minutes, unload the weapon.
b. The immediate action procedures for the SAW are:
(1) Wait 5 seconds after the misfire to guard against a hang fire.
(2) Within the next 5 seconds (to guard against a cook off) pull and lock the cocking handle to the rear while observing the ejection port to see if a cartridge case, belt link, or round is ejected.
(3) Ensure the bolt remains to the rear to prevent double feeding if a round or cartridge case is not ejected.
(4) If a cartridge case, belt link, or around is ejected, push the cocking handle to its forward position, take aim on the target, and press the trigger.
(a) If the weapon does not fire, take remedial action.
(b) If a cartridge case, belt link, or round is not ejected, take remedial action.
NOTE: During combat, the pace of the battle will dictate how long you will be able to wait until attempts are made to clear the round.
8. Apply remedial action.
a. Remedial action is any action taken to determine the cause of a stoppage and to restore the weapon to an operational condition.
b. This action is taken only after immediate action did not remedy the problem.
c. Cold Weapon Procedures. When a stoppage occurs with a cold weapon and immediate action has failed, use the following procedures:
(1) While the weapon is on the shoulder, grasp the cocking handle with the right hand, palm up, and pull the cocking handle to the rear locking the bolt.
(2) While holding the resistance on the cocking handle, move the safety to SAFE and return the cocking handle forward.
(3) Place the weapon on the ground or away from the face, open the feed cover, and perform the five-point safety check in outlined in performance step 2.
(4) Reload and continue to fire.
(5) If the weapon does not fire, clear the weapon and inspect it and the ammunition.
d. Hot Weapon Procedures. If the stoppage occurs with a hot weapon (200 or more rounds in 2 minutes or less), move the safety to SAFE, let the weapon cool for 15 minutes, and use the same procedures as outlined for cold weapon procedures.
REFERENCE(S):
FM 23-14, Squad Automatic Weapon, M249
MCWP 3-15.1, Machinegun and Machinegun Gunnery AMMUNITION:
INITIAL PER ANNUAL DODIC NOMENCLATURE PROFICIENCY ITERATION SUSTAINMENT
A060 CTG 5.56MM, DUMMY 10.000 EA 10.000 EA 10.000 EA
Dummy ammunition is considered non-expendable.
TASK: MCCS.11.17 (CORE) MAINTAIN THE M249 SAW