How Do You Maintain An M249 Machine Gun?
The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) is the primary base-of-fire element for an infantry squad. The SAW is prone to jam when it is dirty. Give your M249 a good wipe down as often as you can. Here are some tips for a quick field-cleaning that can be performed in a few minutes anywhere. Ensure that the SAW is clear, then place the weapon on “fire” and ride the bolt forward. Pull the two pins that hold the butt stock in place to remove the butt stock assembly. The hand grip and trigger will come off as the bottom butt stock pin holds them in place. Push in on the spring drive assembly to release it from its catch and remove it. Push the bolt and piston assembly out of the back of the weapon and catch it as it comes out. Depress the barrel release latch and pull up on the carrying handle to remove the barrel. Run barrel swabs on a barrel rod from breech to muzzle until the swabs come clean. Wipe down the inside and outside of the receiver with a clean rag, remove all of the dust and oil.
