Improper lube. Failure to feed. M249 Automatic Rifle

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course
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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• OVERVIEW
• I
• Orientation and Mechanical Training
• II
• Techniques of Fire and Employment
• III
• Preparatory Marksmanship Training

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• OVERVIEW CONTINUED
• IV
• Performance Evaluation
• VI
• LIVE FIRE (Practice Evaluation)

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• OPRENTATION AND MECHANICAL TRAINING
• Basic Weapons Safety Rules
• 1. Treat every Weapons as if it were Loaded!
• 2. Never point a weapon at anything you dont
  intend to shoot.

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• 3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your
  weapon is pointed down range and your sight are
  on target.
• 4. Dont shoot anything you cant positively
  identify know what is behind it.

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• 5. Always carry your weapons so that you can
  control the direction of the muzzle, even if you
  stumble.

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• CLASSROOM SAFETY RULES
• AND PROCEDURES
• 1. Do not intentionally point the weapon at
  yourself or others during weapon handling
  exercises
• (some pointing during training is unavoidable as
  weapons are cleared and made safe).

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• 2. Handle the weapon only when told to do so.
• 3. No horseplay of any kind allowed.
• 4. Do not get ahead of the instructor or
  anticipate instructions.
• 5. Dont let the bolt slam forward on an empty
  chamber

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• 6. During disassembly, ensure the bolt is forward
  before removing operating rod assembly.
• 7. If at any time, you dont understand the
  instruction or have difficulty or have difficulty
  understanding an operation or a procedure, ask
  questions.

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• M249 Automatic Rifle Characteristics
• Description
• 1. Air cooled
• 2. Disintegrating metallic split link belt fed or
  magazine fed (Emergency situations only)
• 3. Gas operated
• 4. Fixed headspace.
• Allows for quick barrel changes for cooling and
  Maintenance

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• 5. Fires from the open bolt position.
• 6. 5.56mm NATO
• 7. Weight 16.5 lb.

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• Performance
• Range
• Maximum 3,600 meters
• Maximum effective range
• 1. Point target 600 meters
• 2. Area target 800 meters
• 3. Suppression 1,000 meters
• 4. Maximum extent of grazing fire- 600 meters
• 5. Tracer burnout 900 meters
• 6. Basic load 800 rds

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• Rates of Fire
• Sustained 50 RPM (3-5 rd. burst with4-5 sec.
  between bursts). Barrel change every 200 rds.
• Rapid 100 RPM (8-10 rd. burst with 2-3 seconds
  between bursts). Barrel change every 200 rds.
• Cyclic 800 RPM.

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• AMMUNITION TYPES, CARE HANDLING

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• AMMUNITION TYPES, CARE HANDLING

  Storage. Ammunition is stored under cover. If
ammunition is in the open, it must be kept at
least 6 inches above the ground and covered with
a double thickness of tarpaulin. The cover must
be placed so that it protects the ammunition yet
allows ventilation. Trenches are dug to divert
water from flowing under the ammunition.   Care,
Handling, and Preservation. Ammunition should not
be removed from the airtight containers until
ready for use. Ammunition removed from the
airtight containers, particularly in damp
climates, may corrode.
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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• AMMUNITION TYPES, CARE HANDLING

  Packaging The ammunition case contains 1600
rounds. Inside the case is two metal cans
containing 800 rounds ( 4 assault packs with
200round each.
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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course

• NOMENCLATURE
• Eight Major Groups
• 1. Operating Rod Group
• 2. Barrel Group
• 3. Hand guard Group
• 4. Buttstock and Buffer Assembly Group
• 5. Trigger Mechansm Group
• 6. Gas Cylinder Group
• 7. Bipod Assembly Group
• 8. Receiver Group

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course
Nomenclature
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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course External
Nomenclature

• 1. Barrel Assembly
• 2. Heat Shield
• 3. Rear Sight Assy.
• 4. Cover Assembly
• 5. Feed Tray
• 6. Cocking Handle Assy.
• 7. Buttstock Assy.
• 8. Bolt Assembly
• 9. Slide Assembly
• 10.Return Rod /Transfer Mechanism Assy.
• 11. Reciever Assy.
• 12. Trigger Assembly
• 13. Handguard
• Sling
• Bipod Assembly
• Gas Cylinder Assy.
• Gas Cylinder Piston
• Return Rod Spring

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course Clearing
Procedures

• 1. Pull cocking handle to the rear and lock bolt
  into rear position, return cocking handle to the
  forward position
• 2. Place safety to safe

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course Clearing
Procedures cont.

• 3. Raise the cover and inspect the Five Safety
  Points
• 1) Feed Pawl Assembly under cover
• 2) Feed Tray Assembly
• 3) Lift feed tray assembly and check chamber
• 4) Check the space between the bolt assembly
  and chamber
• 5) Check the magazine well
• 4. Close the cover ,place to fire, pull the
  cocking handle to the rear and ride the bolt
  forward while pressing the trigger to the rear

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M249 Automatic RifleOperators Course LOADING

• Full-Load
• Lock bolt to rear and return cocking handle
  forward
• Safety to Safe.
• Raise Cover clear Chamber
• Place link belt in feed tray with first round
  against cartridge stop
• Close cover, make sure it locks shut.
• NOTE DO NOT PLACE WEAPON TO FIRE UNTIL YOU
  ARE READY TO USE IT

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M249 Automatic RifleField Strip (Disassembly)

• Clear Weapon
• 1. Pull upper retaining pin to the left, butt
  stock will pivot downward
• 2. Push in and up on the back of transfer
  mechanism (TM)
• 3. Remove TM , spring, and return rod. Separate
  spring from the rod.
• 4. Pull cocking handle to the rear removing the
  operating group
• 5. Rotate the bolt and pull it out of slide
  assembly.
• 6. Separate slide assembly from piston by
  depressing retaining pin to the left

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M249 Automatic Rifle Field Strip (Disassembly)

• 7. Remove the barrel group.
• 8. Remove gas regulator and collar

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M249 Automatic Rifle Field Strip (Disassembly)
9. Remove the handguard assembly 10. Remove butt
stock
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M249 Automatic Rifle Field Strip (Disassembly)

• 11. Remove the gas cylinder and bipod group

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M249 Automatic Rifle Assembly

• In Reverse Order

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M249 Automatic Rifle Function Check

• Pull the cocking handle to the rear, locking the
  bolt to the rear of the receiver.
• While keeping positive control of the cocking
  handle place to safe and squeeze trigger( should
  not fire)
• Place to fire, squeeze trigger and ride the bolt
  forward

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M249 Automatic Rifle Malfunctions, Stoppages,
Misfiresand Immediate actions

• Definitions
• Malfunction A malfunction occurs when a
  mechanical failure causes the weapon to fire
  improperly.
• Stoppage Any interruption in the cycle of
  operation of the gun.
• Immediate Action Prompt actions taken to
  overcome the stoppage.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Malfunctions, Stoppages,
Misfiresand Immediate actions

• Definitions
• Remedial Action Action taken to identify
  stoppage, in immediate action fails.
• Cook-off Ignition of a chambered round of
  ammunition due to the heat of the weapon.
• Hot or Cold gun (Peacetime classification only
  in the interest of safety)
• Hot gun- more than 200 rounds fired within a 2
  minute period

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M249 Automatic Rifle Malfunctions, Stoppages,
Misfiresand Immediate actions

• Warning
• If nothing is ejected and you have a hot gun (200
  rounds within a 2 minute period). Do not open the
  cover. Place safety to safe, keep machine gun
  pointed down range, and remain away from the
  weapon for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes clear the
  machine gun. The climate conditions can also
  affect how fast the weapons becomes hot

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M249 Automatic Rifle Malfunctions

• Uncontrolled Fire (Runaway Gun)
• Uncontrolled fire (the weapon continues to fire
  after the trigger is released). This is usually
  caused by, the gunner not pulling and holding the
  trigger all the way to the rear. The following
  are immediate actions for uncontrolled fire
• (1)   The gunner holds the weapon on target and
  fires the remaining ammunition.
• (2)   The gunner stops the weapon from firing by
  breaking the belt of ammunition.
• (3)   The gunner as a last resort pulls the
  cocking handle to the rear thus, locking the bolt
  to the rear of the receiver.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Malfunctions

• Sluggish Operation
• Sluggish operation is due to excessive
  friction caused by carbon build-up, improper
  lubrication, or burred parts. Corrective action
  includes cleaning, lubricating inspecting, and
  replacing worn parts.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Stoppages

• STOPPAGE PROBABLE CAUSE CORRECTIVE
  ACTION

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M249 Automatic Rifle Stoppages

• STOPPAGE PROBABLE CAUSE
  CORRECTIVE ACTION

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M249 Automatic Rifle Stoppages

• STOPPAGE PROBABLE CAUSE
  CORRECTIVE ACTION

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M249 Automatic Rifle Stoppages

• STOPPAGE PROBABLE CAUSE
  CORRECTIVE ACTION

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M249 Automatic Rifle Immediate Action

• Immediate action is action taken to reduce a
  stoppage without looking for the cause. Immediate
  action should be taken in the event of either a
  misfire or a cook off. A misfire is the failure
  of a chambered round to fire. Such failure can be
  due to an ammunition defect or faulty firing
  mechanism.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Immediate Action

• A cook off is the firing of a round by the
  heat of a hot barrel and not by the firing
  mechanism. Cookoffs can be avoided by applying
  immediate action within 10 seconds after a
  failure to fire. If the M249 stops firing, the
  gunner performs the following immediate actions
  are taken. (An effective memory aid is POPP,
  which stands for pull, observe, push, and press.)

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M249 Automatic Rifle Immediate Action

• a. Pulls and locks the cocking handle to the rear
  while observing the ejection port to see if a
  cartridge case, belt link, or round is ejected.
  Ensures that the bolt remains to the rear to
  prevent double feeding if a round or cartridge
  case is not ejected.
• b. If a cartridge case, belt link, or a round is
  ejected, returns cocking handle to forward
  position, aim on the target, and presses the
  trigger. If the weapon still does not fire, takes
  remedial action. If a cartridge case, belt link,
  or round is not ejected, takes remedial action.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Remedial Action

•   Cold Weapon Procedures
• When a stoppage occurs with a cold weapon and
  immediate action has failed, the gunner uses the
  following procedures.
• (1)   Pulls the cocking handle to the rear,
  locking the bolt. Returns the cocking handle and
  places the safety to SAFE.
• (2)   Places the weapon on the ground or away
  from his face and opens the cover, performs the
  five-point safety check. Reloads and continues to
  fire.
• (3)   If the weapon does not fire, clears the
  weapon and inspects it and the ammunition.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Remedial Action

• Hot Weapon Procedures
• If the stoppage occurs with a hot weapon (200
  rounds or more in 2 minutes or as noted above for
  training), the gunner moves the safety to SAFE,
  waits 5 seconds (during training, lets the weapon
  cool for 15 minutes), uses the same procedures as
  outlined for cold weapon procedures.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Remedial Action

• Jammed Cocking Handle
• If a stoppage occurs and the cocking handle
  cannot be pulled to the rear by hand (the bolt
  may be fully forward and locked or only partially
  forward), the gunner takes the following steps.
• (1)   Tries once again to pull the cocking handle
  by hand.
• WARNING
• Do not try to force the cocking handle to the
  rear with your foot or a heavy object. This could
  damage the weapon.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Remedial Action

• (2)   If the weapon is hot enough to cause a cook
  off, moves all personnel a safe distance from the
  weapon and keeps them away for 15 minutes.
• (3)   After the gun has cooled, the gunner will
  pull the cocking handle to the rear. Ensures
  rearward pressure is kept on the cocking handle
  until the TM is removed. Opens the cover and
  disassembles the gun.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Remedial Action

• (4)   Removes the round or fired cartridge. Uses
  cleaning rod or ruptured cartridge extractor if
  necessary.
• (a)   In a training situation, after completing
  the remedial action procedures, the gun should
  not be fired until an inspection by an CA
  intructor has been made.
• (b)   In a combat situation, after the stoppage
  has been corrected, the gunner changes the barrel
  and tries to fire. If the weapon fails to
  function properly, the gunner sends it to Combat
  Arms personnel.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• Warning
• Be sure weapons is cleared before disassembly,
  cleaning, inspecting, transporting and storing.
• Using gasoline, kerosene, hydraulic oil, benzene,
  bensol, high-pressure water, steam, or air for
  cleaning is PROHIBITED

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• Caution
• Do not use abrasives to clean the bore, piston,
  gas cylinder, or gas regulator plug.
• Do not submerge buffer in any liquid. Wipe clean
  with wiping rag only.
• Do not apply lubricants to composite/rubber
  components.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication
The M249 machine gun should be cleaned
immediately after firing. At a minimum, the M249
should be cleaned after firing a basic load of
900 to 1,200 rounds. The gunner disassembles the
M249 into its major groups for cleaning. All
metal components and surfaces that have been
exposed to powder fouling should be cleaned using
CLP on a bore-cleaning patch. CLP is used on the
bristles of the receiver brush to clean the
receiver. After the M249 is cleaned and wiped
dry, a thin coat of CLP is rubbed on using a
cloth. This lubricates and preserves the exposed
metal parts during all normal temperature ranges.
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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• CAUTION
• When using CLP, do not use other cleaners.
  Never mix CLP with RBC or LSA. When cleaning the
  barrel, avoid getting CLP or RBC in the gas
  regulator. Damage could occur to the weapon.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• (1)   Clean the bore using CLP or RBC and a bore
  brush with a cleaning rod. Do not reverse
  direction of the bore brush while it is in the
  bore.
• (a)   Run the brush through the bore several
  times until most of the powder fouling and other
  foreign matter has been removed.
• (b)   Swab out the bore several times using a
  cleaning rod and a swab wet with CLP.
• (c)   Swab out the bore several times using a
  cleaning rod and a dry swab.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• (2)   Clean the chamber using CLP and a chamber
  brush attached to a cleaning rod.
• (a)   Run the brush through the chamber several
  times until most of the powder fouling and other
  foreign matter has been removed.
• (b)   Swab out the chamber several times using a
  cleaning rod and a swab wet with CLP.
• (c)   Swab out the chamber several times using a
  cleaning rod and a dry swab.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• (3)   Clean the receiver using a receiver brush
  and CLP.
• (a)   Brush the receiver until most of the powder
  fouling and other foreign matter is removed.
• (b)   Swab out the receiver several times using a
  cleaning rod section and a swab wet with CLP.

(c)   Swab out the receiver several times using
a cleaning rod section and a dry swab.
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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• (4)   Clean the gas regulator plug with special
  tools (scraper tool). Remove all carbon dust. Do
  not use CLP on the collar, gas piston, or body.
• (a)  Clean The gas inlet hole of the gas
  regulator plug.
• (b)   Clean the central hole of the gas plug by
  inserting the scraper tool down to the bottom of
  the hole and twisting firmly.
• (c)   Clean the two grooves by inserting the
  scraper tool into the grooves and applying
  pressure as firmly as possible.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Cleaning and Lubrication

• (5)   Clean the gas cylinder and piston with the
  scraper tool. Do not use CLP on the cylinder or
  piston
• (a)   Clean the front interior of the gas
  cylinder by inserting and turning the flat side
  of the scraper in a 360-degree circular motion.
• (b)   Clean the internal grooves of the front
  side of the gas cylinder the same as the
  interior, except insert the scraper farther into
  the gas cylinder.
• (c)  Clean the three groves of the piston using a
  360-degree circular motion. Remove all carbon
  dust from the inside and outside of the piston.
• (d) Clean the hole in front of the piston by
  using the flat side of the scraper in a circular
  motion.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

• Inspection begins with the weapon disassembled
  into its eight major assemblies. Note that a
  shiny surface on a part does not mean the parts
  are unserviceable. The gunner inspects each area
  of the weapon and related equipment for the
  conditions indicated. Any broken or missing parts
  should be repaired or replaced.
• The gunner should perform PMCS every 90 days. If
  the weapon has not been used in 90 days, the PMCS
  in the operator's manual should be performed
  regardless. If you see rust on a weapon, the PMCS
  should be done immediately. Inspect all of the
  components for broken or missing parts. Inspect
  parts for cracks, dents, burrs excessive wear,
  rust, or corrosion. Inspect external surfaces for
  adequate finish.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

•   Barrel Assembly
• Check barrel for bulges, bends, burrs,
  obstructions and obstructions or pits in the
  chamber or bore. Disassemble, inspect, and clean
  the gas collar and plug. Ensure the flash
  suppressor is fastened securely. Inspect the
  front sight for damage or looseness. Inspect
  carrying handle assembly for bent, broken, or
  missing parts. Assure the heat shield is present,
  on the barrel assembly, and is not bent or
  broken, and does not have any missing parts.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

•   Buttstock and Buffer Assembly.
• Check for burrs and rough edges on mating
  grooves and flanges. Check to be sure the back
  plate latch locks the buffer assembly securely to
  the receiver assembly when installed. Make sure
  the buffer plug sticks out through the back plate
  and is flush or higher than the protrusion below
  it. Make sure there is no rattling sound when the
  buffer is shaken and that the plug cannot rotated
  by finger pressure. Inspect the butt stock for
  cracks. Check to make sure the back plate locks
  the butt stock securely to the receiver assembly
  when installed.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

•  

Bolt And Operating Rod Assembly. Inspect entire
area of the bolt and operating rod assembly for
missing parts, broken or cracked areas, burrs,
bends, or pits on the surface. Looking at the
bolt, you can see if the firing pin is broken.
The extractor should not move. The operating rod
piston should have a slight movement from left to
right (about 1/8-inch turn). When the bolt and
operating rod are pulled to the rear, the piston
should move freely without binding
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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

• Trigger Mechanism/Housing Assembly. Inspect
  the tripping lever and sear for burrs on edges.
  Push the tripping lever back to raise the sear,
  put the safety on "S," and pull the trigger. The
  sear should not drop down far enough to lock in
  the downward position. Place the safety on "F,"
  and pull the trigger. The sear should drop down
  and lock in the downward position. Check the sear
  spring, ensuring the leg of the spring is behind
  the trigger pin and not between the trigger and
  the pin. Check grip assembly for loose or missing
  grip screws. Check trigger guard for bends or
  cracks. Check trigger spring pin for bends, and
  or broken or missing spring.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

• Cover Assembly. Pivot the feed lever back and
  forth to ensure it operates smoothly without
  binding. Push in on the cover latches to make
  sure the retaining clip is not weak or missing
  and that they do not bind in the housing. Push
  down on the cartridge guides and feed pawls to
  make sure the springs are not weak or missing.
  Inspect accessory mounting rail for nicks or
  burrs.

Feed Tray. Check for cracks, deformation,
broken welds, or loose rivets.   Handguard. Check
handguard for cracks, broken or missing parts.
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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

• Receiver Assembly.
• Check that the rear sight assembly is
  securely mounted to the receiver and operates
  properly. Check that the cocking handle operates
  the slide properly. Pull the cocking handle to
  the rear and allow it to slowly return forward,
  making sure that the slide does not bind in the
  receiver. Check for damaged or missing ejection
  port cover, spring, and pin. Lower and raise the
  bipod legs, ensuring they move freely without
  binding. Check bipod legs for cracks, or twisted
  or incomplete assembly. Check the exterior
  surface of the M249 for the exterior protective
  finish.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Preventive
MaintenanceInspection

• Machine Gun.
• Assemble the weapon. Be sure parts are
  installed correctly and are in good working
  condition. When installing the barrel, move the
  barrel release slowly to the right and count the
  number of clicks. Fewer than two and more than
  seven clicks indicate defective parts. Check both
  barrels. Check weapon functioning with belted
  dummy ammunition by performing a function check.
  If weapon does not function properly and the
  cause cannot be determined using troubling
  shooting procedures, notify direct-support
  maintenance.

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M249 Automatic Rifle TE Nomenclature
M122A1 Tripod
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M249 Automatic Rifle TE Nomenclature
M249 Automatic rifle Mounted on Tripod and TE
1. Front receiver bushing 2. Pintle Assembly 3.
Quick release pin 4. T E Mechanism 5. T E
Fork Assembly 6. Spring Pin
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operators Course

• Zero the T E Mechanism
• Installation of Equipment (Tripod, Pintle(s), T
  E

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Blank Fire Attachment

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

•   Attach the BFA. Unscrew the shaft until it
  slides all the way to the rear. Install the
  chamber device over the flash suppressor. Slide
  the shaft into the throat of the flash
  suppressor. Engage the threads on shaft into the
  body of the chamber device turn clockwise until
  it is hand tight.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• DESTRUCTION

Destruction of any military weapon is only
authorized as a last resort to prevent enemy
capture or use. This paragraph discusses the
field-expedient means of this destruction it
does not replace published policies. In combat
situations, the commander has the authority to
destroy weapons, but he must report this
destruction through channels.
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator CourseDESTRUCTION

• a.   Disassemble the weapon as completely as time
  permits. Use the barrel or tripod mount to
  destroy the bolt and operating rod assembly,
  barrels, rear and front sights, and mounts.
• b.   Bury the disassembled weapon or dump the
  parts into a stream, a sump, or a latrine.
• c.   Burn the weapon by placing an incendiary
  grenade on the receiver group over the bolt (with
  the cover resting on the grenade) and detonating
  the grenade.
• d.   Smash the traversing and elevating mechanism
  and pintle assembly. Bend the tripod legs.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• MOUNTING THE NIGHT SIGHT

VEHICULAR MOUNTS
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• TECHNIQUES OF FIRE AND EMPLOYMENT
• Roles of the Machine gun
• 1. Supports rifleman in offensive and defensive
  mode
• 2. Provides heavy volume of close and continuous
  fire.
• 3. Can engage target beyond the capability of
  rifleman.
• 4. Marking or locating target.
• 5. Aerial defense when necessary.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course
CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE Trajectory and maximum
ordinate. Trajectory- path of projectile. Almost
flat at 300 meters or less, beyond 300 meters
trajectory is curved and becomes greater as range
increases. Maximum ordinate- Highest point
trajectory reaches from muzzle to target. Occurs
at 2/3 of distance between gun and target.
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• CONE OF FIRE AND BEATEN ZONE
• Cone of Fire- Patter formed by several rounds in
  a burst, each round taking a slightly different
  trajectory.
• Primary cause vibration of gun
• Other causes Variations in ammunition, and
  atmospheric conditions.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• BEATEN ZONE- Area where cone of fire strikes the
  ground.
• Will change when range to target changes.
• On uniformly sloping or level terrain, the beaten
  zone is long and narrow.
• As range increases beaten zone becomes shorter
  and wider.
• With terrain sloping down and away from the gun,
  the beaten zone becomes longer.
• With terrain rising, the beaten zone becomes
  shorter
• Terrain has no great effect on the width of the
  beaten zone.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Danger Space Space between gun and target
  where trajectory does not rise above 1.8 meters.
• Fired over level or uniformly sloping terrain
• Over 700 meters trajectory will rise over 1.8
  meters.
• Some areas between gun and target may not have
  danger space.
• Dead Space- area that cant be seen or covered by
  gun position. Caused by depression, rises,
  obstructions, etc.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator CourseCLASSES OF
FIRE

• Respect to ground
• 1. Grazing- Center of cone of fire does not rise
  above 1 meter above the ground.
• Maximum extent of fire over level of
  uniformly sloping terrain is 600 meters
• 2. Plunging- Danger space is practically confined
  to beaten zone
• Obtaining Plunging Fire-
• Target range greater than 600 meters.
• Fire from high to low ground.
• Fire into abruptly rising ground.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator CourseCLASSES OF
FIRE
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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course CLASSES OF
FIRE

• Respect to Target
• 1. Frontal- firing directly into front of target,
  long axis of the beaten is at right angle to
  front of target.
• 2. Flanking- firing directly against flank (right
  angle) of target.
• 3. Oblique- firing at an angle other a right
  angle to target.
• 4. Enfilade- long axis of beaten zone may or may
  not coincide with long axis of target.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course CLASSES OF
FIRE

• Respect to gun
• 1. Fixed- firing at a stationary target which the
  beaten zone covers target.
• 2. Traversing- firing distributed in width by
  successive changes in direction.
• 3. Searching- firing distributed in depth by
  successive changes in elevation.
• 4. Traversing and searching- amount of adjustment
  is determined by slope of terrain and angle of
  target.
• 5. Free gun- fire delivered against massive
  targets.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator CourseRange
Determination and Lateral Distance Measurement

• Uses.
• 1. Accurate determination affects gunners
  marksmanship abilities.
• 2. Is required in reporting of information and
  the adjustment of artillery and mortar fire
• Methods.
• 1. 100 meter unit-of-measure
• 2. Pacing- 115 paces approx. 100 meters
• 3. Appearance of objects- Most common method
  used.
• 4. T E method.

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Principles of Fire
• Types of targets
• 1. Point targets- require single aiming points.
• 2. Area targets- having considerable width and
  depth.
• Rates of fire
• Sustained- 100 rpm, barrel change (10 Min.)
• Rapid- 200 rpm, barrel change (2 Min.)
• Cyclic- 550 rpm, barrel change every minute

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Engagement of visible targets
• Engagement of targets during limited visibility
• Predetermined fires
• Range Cards
• Night vision sight
• Zeroing PVS-4 night vision sight
• Estimating range sighting and aiming

85
M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• PREPARATORY MARKSMANSHIP TRAINING
• 1. Firing positions- gunner gets into prone
  position behind gun right shoulder and right hip
  pocket should be directly behind gun. Spread legs
  with heels down.
• 2. Grip- Bipod
• Right hand on grip and index finger on
  trigger.
• Left palm down on cover.
• Both hands firmly pressed down and rearward.
• 3. Tripod - Right hand on grip and index finger
  on trigger.
• Left hand on T E

86
M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Aiming
• Sight Alignment
• Sight Picture
• Trigger Manipulation
• Pull do not squeeze trigger
• Sight Adjustment
• Windage knob- one click equals 1 mil
• Push forward strike moves right
• Pull back- strike moves left

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Sight Adjustment continued
• Elevation knob- four clicks equals 1 mil
• Turn left- strike moves up
• Turn right- strike moves down
• Adjusted Aiming Point
• Rapid/accurate adjustment without adjusting
  sights

88
M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• Target Analysis
• Chemical Warfare Defense Ensemble (CWDE)
• Firing from Vehicles

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M249 Automatic Rifle Operator Course

• PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
• GO/NO GO CHECKLISTS
• LIVE FIRE
• PRACTICE PHASE/EVALUATION