A clean, properly lubricated and maintained rifle loaded with clean ammunition will fire when needed. In order to keep the rifle in good condition, it must have care and cleaning. Under bad weather conditions, some key parts may need care and cleaning several times a day. The cleaning material, as shown in figure 3-27, used for the care of the rifle, is carried in the rifle stock Special attention must be given to the following areas:

Figure 3-27.-M16A1 and M16A2 rifle cleaning material.

Figure 3-28.-Disassembly of the 20-round magazine.

1. BARREL BORE and CHAMBER. After dipping a bore brush in the bore cleaner, brush from the chamber to the muzzle, using straight-through strokes. Do NOT reverse the brush while it is in the bore or it may jam. A jammed brush is hard to remove, and it can possibly damage the bore when you do this. After dipping the brush in bore cleaner, clean the chamber with the chamber brush. Replace the bore brush with a slotted cleaning patch tip, and push the dry patches through the bore and chamber until they come out clean. After cleaning the bore, lightly lubricate the bore and chamber to prevent corrosion and pitting, using the recommended lubricant on a patch. Lightly lubricate the lugs in the barrel extension.

2. BOLT CARRIER GROUP. Dip the bore brush in the bore cleaner, and clean the inside of the carrier key. Dry with a pipe cleaner. Clean the locking lugs, bolt, extractor ejector, and bolt rings with the bore brush. Remove any accumulation of dirt, carbon, or oil from the firing pin and the external and internal surfaces of the bolt and bolt carrier. Be sure to wipe all parts dry; then lubricate them with the recommended lubricant.

3. UPPER RECEIVER GROUP. With the bore brush or a swab coated with bore cleaner, remove the powder fouling collected on the group. Clean the protruding gas tube inside and outside. After cleaning these components, wipe them dry, and apply alight coat of the recommended lubricant.

4. LOWER RECEIVER GROUP. With the bore brush or a swab coated with bore cleaner, remove dirt, carbon, and sand from the lower receiver group. Dry and apply alight coat of the recommended lubricant.

5 AMMUNITION MAGAZINES. After removing all cartridges from the magazine, depress the spring steel lock band on the bottom of the magazine, using the nose of a cartridge (fig. 3-28, view 1). Slide the base until it is free of the tabs, and remove it from the magazine body (fig. 3-28, view 2). Remove the magazine spring and follower (fig. 3-28, view 3), but do not remove the follower from the spring (fig. 3-28, views 4 and 5). Clean the exterior and interior of the magazine with a dry rag or swab. Apply a light coat of the recommended lubricant to the magazine spring only; otherwise, keep the magazine dry. You assemble the magazine in reverse order and test it to ensure that the follower is free to move without binding. If the magazine and the ammunition in it gets wet, be sure to wipe them dry as soon as possible. When left wet, both the magazine and the ammunition can become corroded and are dangerous to use. Remember not to use oil or grease on any cartridge. If you do this, injurious abrasives can collect in the weapon or produce excessive and hazardous

Figure 3-29.-45-caliber semiautomatic service pistol-(A) assembled and (B) sectional view in recoil position.

chamber pressures when the weapon is freed. Whenever practical, ammunition should be stored under cover. This applies particularly to tracer ammunition.