W3: M249

W3: M249
Part One-Maintain an M249
Clear and Disassemble:
1. Clear the weapon.
a. Point weapon in a safe direction. Ensure safety is on FIRE.
b. With the right-hand palm up, pull and hold the charging handle completely to the rear. While still holding the charging handle, place the weapon on SAFE.
c. Return the charging handle forward to the locked position.
d. Look away from the feed tray cover. Squeeze the cover latches and open the feed tray cover assembly upwards to open it. Remove ammunition belt and any loose links in the feed tray if present.
e. Conduct a five-point safety check.
f. Lower and close the feed tray cover assembly ensuring it securely locks.
g. With the right-hand palm up, pull and hold the charging handle completely to the rear. Place the
weapon on FIRE.
h. Press the trigger with the left hand and ease the bolt forward with the right hand until it locks in the
forward position. Release the trigger.
2. Disassemble weapon into the following groups, ensuring all parts are on the correct nomenclature labels.
a. Driving spring and return rod transfer mechanism assembly. Separated.
b. Bolt, slide, and piston assemblies. Separated.
c. Heat shield, gas regulator, barrel.
d. Handguard and receiver assembly.
e. Buttstock and buffer assembly.
f. Trigger mechanism assembly.
g. Gas cylinder.
h. Bipod.
Assemble and Perform a Functions Check:
1. Assemble the weapon.
2. Perform a functions check.
a. Point weapon in a safe direction. Ensure safety is on FIRE.
b. With the right-hand palm up, pull and hold the charging handle completely to the rear. While still holding the charging handle, place the weapon on SAFE.
c. Squeeze the trigger. The weapon should not fire.
d. Place the weapon on FIRE.
e. Press the trigger with the left hand and ease the bolt forward with the right hand until it locks in the
forward position. Release the trigger.
Time will stop when the Candidate returns to the standing position with the weapon on the flat surface.
Part Two-Operate an M249
Candidate will start in the prone position not touching the weapon.
1. Clear the chamber area.
a. Point weapon in a safe direction. Ensure safety is on FIRE.
b. With the right-hand palm up, pull and hold the charging handle completely to the rear. While still holding the charging handle, place the weapon on SAFE.
c. Return the charging handle forward to the locked position.
d. Look away from the feed trey cover. Squeeze the cover latches and open the feed trey cover assembly upwards to open it. Remove ammunition belt and any loose links in the feed trey if present.
e. Conduct a five-point safety check. Check the feed pawl assembly under the feed trey cover assembly; check the feed tray assembly; lift the feed trey assembly and inspect the chamber; inspect the
magazine well; inspect the space between the bolt face and the chamber as well as the space under the bolt and operating rod.
2. Load the weapon.
a. Cant the M249 to the right.
b. Place the first round of the belt, with the open side of the links facing downward, in the feed trey groove against the cartridge stop.
c. Hold the ammunition belt in place on the feed trey with your left hand and close the feed trey cover assembly with your right hand.
3. Place the weapon on FIRE and engage your target.
4. Take immediate action to correct a failure to fire.
a. Keep the M249 on your shoulder. Pull the charging handle (right hand/palm up) to the rear.
b. Observe the ejection port to see if a cartridge case, belt link, or round ejects. If nothing ejects, lock
the bolt to the rear and proceed to clear the M249.
c. If a cartridge case, belt link, or round ejects, push the charging handle forward.
d. Squeeze the trigger and continue to engage your target. Proceed to clear the weapon if it does
not fire.
5. Unload and clear the weapon.
a. Point weapon in a safe direction.
b. If the bolt is forward, ensure the safety is on FIRE before moving the bolt/operating rod assembly.
If the bolt is fully locked to the rear, ensure the safety is on SAFE and proceed to (step e).
c. With the right-hand palm up, pull and hold the charging handle to the rear and place the weapon on SAFE.
d. Return the charging handle forward to the locked position.
e. Look down and away from the feed trey cover. Squeeze the cover latches and open the feed trey cover assembly. Remove ammunition belt and any loose links in the feed trey if present.
f. Conduct a five-point safety check.
g. Lower and close the feed trey cover assembly ensuring it securely locks.
h. With the right-hand palm up, pull and hold the charging handle to the rear. Place the weapon on FIRE.
i. Press the trigger with the left hand and ease the bolt forward with the right hand until it locks in the
forward position. Release the trigger.