Kevp
Ultimate Member
- Apr 17, 2008
- 1,874
Picking up on an old thread where this was an arguement- it just takes the Army a little while to catch up.
Lubricating Small Arms in Desert Environments
PS Magazine
PEO Soldier recently fielded an inquiry as to what the Army’s position was on lubricating small arms in desert environments. Should Soldiers use light lube, or generous lube? The answer, which is backed up by numerous Army and Joint test results, is for Soldiers to use generous lube.
The June 2010 M16/M4 Operator’s Manual (TM 9-1005-319-10) states that “In a desert environment, generous amounts of lubrication should be applied to the internal working surfaces and functional parts of the weapon only. Unload and dry ammunition and the inside of magazines daily. DO NOT lubricate magazines.”
Generously lubricated is defined as applying MIL SPEC CLP heavy enough so that it can be spread with a finger. According to USAMC Logistics Support Activity, CLP is the only authorized solvent. The training manual states that the use of other solvents will wash away the teflon lubricant that CLP imparts.
There are four rules for all small arms in the desert
GENEROUSLY lube internal moving parts only
CLEAN the gun often, paying special attention to moving parts
Keep the gun COVERED as much as possible. Overall weapon protection cover, muzzle cap, and spare magazine protective bags will help protect the weapon. Keep the bolt and ejection port cover closed and a magazine in the weapon.
Unload and dry ammo and inside of magazines daily. Do NOT lube magazines.
Protective covers for the M4 and M16 are shipped with every new weapon. If you need to procure additional covers, look into the supply system for the following:
Protective cover: NSN 1005-00-809-2190
Spare magazine protective bags: NSN 1005-00-193-8306
Muzzle cap: NSN 5340-00-880-7666
For more information on cleaning weapons, check out the PS Magazine Article, “Make Sure it’s Clean.”
Lubricating Small Arms in Desert Environments
PS Magazine
PEO Soldier recently fielded an inquiry as to what the Army’s position was on lubricating small arms in desert environments. Should Soldiers use light lube, or generous lube? The answer, which is backed up by numerous Army and Joint test results, is for Soldiers to use generous lube.
The June 2010 M16/M4 Operator’s Manual (TM 9-1005-319-10) states that “In a desert environment, generous amounts of lubrication should be applied to the internal working surfaces and functional parts of the weapon only. Unload and dry ammunition and the inside of magazines daily. DO NOT lubricate magazines.”
Generously lubricated is defined as applying MIL SPEC CLP heavy enough so that it can be spread with a finger. According to USAMC Logistics Support Activity, CLP is the only authorized solvent. The training manual states that the use of other solvents will wash away the teflon lubricant that CLP imparts.
There are four rules for all small arms in the desert
GENEROUSLY lube internal moving parts only
CLEAN the gun often, paying special attention to moving parts
Keep the gun COVERED as much as possible. Overall weapon protection cover, muzzle cap, and spare magazine protective bags will help protect the weapon. Keep the bolt and ejection port cover closed and a magazine in the weapon.
Unload and dry ammo and inside of magazines daily. Do NOT lube magazines.
Protective covers for the M4 and M16 are shipped with every new weapon. If you need to procure additional covers, look into the supply system for the following:
Protective cover: NSN 1005-00-809-2190
Spare magazine protective bags: NSN 1005-00-193-8306
Muzzle cap: NSN 5340-00-880-7666
For more information on cleaning weapons, check out the PS Magazine Article, “Make Sure it’s Clean.”