LESSON PLAN Before stripping carry out NSP, (do not fire off the action)
Subject Skill at Arms Stores - Required - need If locking pin is stiff, use toe of magazine or combination tool.
Lesson Cleaning 1 556 Sling off, TMH, Recoil assembly, Cocking handle Assembly, Bolt Carrier
APC Basic 2 magazines Assembly, gas parts. The rifle is not stripped any further for normal daily
cleaning.
References Vol. I - Page 4-45 3 Cleaning kit complete
Location Outside 4 All parts should be place in the order they were removed, off the ground,
use Beret, groundsheet or other kit to rest parts on.
Length 40 minutes (approx) 5
Explain
Beginning of Lesson (5 minutes) The cleaning kit, how each component is used, Nylon brush, Wire brush
Prelims NSPs, Roll Call, Tick off Subject on record sheet (wire brush is for rust only), pull through, oil bottle and flannelette.
Revision Sight setting Cleaning before firing
Aim To be able to maintain the weapon The barrel must be dry with the working parts lightly oiled.
Introduction Cleaning After firing
There will be a build up of carbon from the rounds/blanks fired. This must
Middle of Lesson (30 minutes) be removed. The barrel will be lightly oiled with pull through/flannelette.
The Lesson next column Cleaning in Adverse Conditions
Heavy Rain and Damp Conditions. Inspect frequently for rust and remove
End of Lesson (5 minutes) rust as normal.
Dry, Sandy or Dusty Conditions. In such conditions the rifle must be kept
Questions from class; ? (oil) dry, as the weapon heats up it will ‘sweat’ ensure more time to strip
Questions/test to class: Remember - Ask - Pause - Pick and dry.
1 What do you do before stripping? Flannelette size 45 mm x 45 mm use from line to line.
2 Hold cleaning kit parts for naming.
Explain
3 Size Flannelette When cleaning, look for wear or damage to the parts.
4 What is the function test? Assembling.
5 Confirm by practice No part is to be forced into position, they should all slide / drop into position.
Pack up, everything tidy
After Assembling
Summary; To do the function test,
How to clean and maintain rifle. Cock weapon two to three times, ................Spreads oil over moving parts.
Lock open, .................................................Hold open device works.
Look forward to; Bolt release, ................................................Bolt release works.
Magazine filling, ammunition Fire with Safety catch on, ............................Safety catch works.
Release safety and fire, ..............................Rifles fires.
Tell them where they’re going next. Safety catch on, close dust cover.
When you are issued with a weapon it is your responsibility to look after it.
To make sure it is safe and working correctly.
Instructors Notes j. The barrel extension cleaner, (a disposable foam swab) is used to
Use of the Cleaning Equipment. Explain and demonstrate: clean/ lubricate inside the difficult to clean barrel extension, it can also
a. The cleaning rod is used only in conjunction with the chamber brush. be used to clean/lubricate other difficult to reach areas.
The sections of rod screw together to form a rigid unit with a handle. If Confirm by questions.
at any time the sections do not form a close, smooth joint they are not
to be used. The flat surfaces in the rod fit into the combination tool Cleaning.
which can be used to unscrew the rod. Explain and demonstrate, the squad imitating: To clean carry
b. The bore brush is only to be used to clean the bore; oil may be out the following:
applied to assist in removing fouling and stains from within the bore. It a. Ensure that the weapon is unloaded and stripped as taught.
can only be attached to the pullthrough; when used it is only to be b. Using the GP soft brush remove any loose fouling or debris from the
drawn from the chamber end of the barrel. weapon and its components.
c. The chamber/barrel extension brush is not to be used for any other c. With a piece of lightly oiled flannelette clean the outside of the
purpose than cleaning the chamber, the barrel extension or interior of weapon, wipe dry.
the gas block and cylinder. It is to be used only with the cleaning rod. d. Fit the chamber/barrel extension brush to the cleaning rod and insert
d. The pullthrough can be used to draw a swab or the bore brush it into the chamber ensuring that the brass flange at the rear of the
through the barrel; it must first be unravelled and stretched to remove brush is up against the rear face of the barrel extension. Using a
any kinks. A swab can be fitted, folded in half/lengthways, into the clockwise rotating action dislodge any fouling and debris. If the weapon
eyelet; an equal amount of swab should protrude either side. is held muzzle pointing up, the fouling will fall out when the brush is
e. Swabs are mainly used to dry clean and lubricate the bore. They are removed. Remove the brush, wrap a flannelette patch around the
the optimum size for this purpose, if they are any larger than 45 x 45 bristles and re-insert it for a final clean. If necessary use the barrel
mm they may jam in the barrel. They may also be used for general extension cleaner to remove any residue left.
cleaning. e. Using the barrel extension cleaner clean the fouling from inside the
f. The carbon removing pad’s primary purpose is to remove the carbon barrel extension.
fouling after firing, they can also be used with oil to remove rust. They f. Using the GP soft brush and flannelette, clean the inside of the body.
are not to be used on the parts of the weapon that are coated with a g. Wipe clean the piston, the gas cylinder and the gas plug. Carbon
protective finish as they will remove it. fouling is removed by the GP wire brush, gas block cleaning brush and
g. The general purpose soft brush is used to clean dust and dirt from scrapers on the combination tool and will be practised after the
the internal areas of the weapon, in particular the TMH. Introductory Shoot.
h. The gas block cleaning brush is used to clean carbon deposits from h. Clean the barrel, first with a lubricated bore brush, then pull it through
inside the gas block. It may also be used to assist in cleaning the inside with a dry clean swab.
of the gas cylinder. It is not to be used for functions fulfilled by the GP i. Examine the barrel for cleanliness. To do this hold it up towards the
wire brush. light about 150 mm away from the head, muzzle to the eye; keep both
i. The toothbrush-like general purpose wire brush is used to clean any eyes open and follow the lands and grooves throughout their length.
gas affected parts for which no specific item of the kit is provided. It is j. If necessary clean the barrel again. If after a thorough cleaning the
most effective on carbon after heavy deposits have first been scraped barrel does not appear to be clean or there is something unusual
off using a part of the combination tool. The removal of burn marks apparent show it to an NCO.
around the gas vent areas and final clean are still best achieved by the k. Dry clean the whole of the weapon.
use of the carbon removal pads.
l. Magazines should be stripped and dry-cleaned. Abrasive materials
should not be used, i.e., Scotchbrite, as this will remove the coating on
the magazine body.
Confirm by questions and practice.
Additional Cleaning After Any Firing. Explain and demonstrate: As soon
as possible after any firing, a light film of oil should be applied to all gas
affected parts. If possible the oil should be allowed to work on the rifle
for a minimum of 30 minutes after which daily cleaning should be
carried out. Gas affected parts should be cleaned with the issued
brushes together with an oily carbon removing pad. In addition the
reamers on the combination tool should be used to clean: (see Fig 40)
a. The gas plug ports using the gas port reamer.
b. The gas plug bore using the drill.
c. The gas cylinder using the gas cylinder reamer.
Lubrication.
Explain and demonstrate, the squad imitating: For normal daily use
lubricate the weapon as follows
a. TMH. Lubricate the outside of the TMH. Place a few drops of oil on
the safety catch, front locking pin, magazine release catch, holding
opening device and change lever. Move them a few times to spread the
lubrication. Place a few drops of oil on the springs in the trigger
mechanism.
b. Body. Lubricate the inside and outside of the body. Using the swab
and a drop of oil lubricate the barrel extension. Oil the barrel and
chamber, place a few drops of oil on both locking pins and move them a
few times to spread the lubrication. Place some oil on the cocking
guide.
c. Bolt and Carrier. Lubricate the firing pin and firing pin recess in the
bolt, cam stud area and the outside of the bolt body. Place a few drops
of oil under the extractor and move it a few times to spread the
lubrication. Lubricate the base of the bolt carrier. Lightly lubricate the
cocking handle. Lubricate the recoil rod assembly.
d. The Gas System. Lubricate the gas piston spring, gas plug and gas
cylinder.
01142. Confirm by practice.