Weapons Clearing Barrel Procedures

M16-series and M4 RIFLES M249 Squad Automatic Weapon

M9 PISTOL Point weapon into clearing barrel for all steps.
1. Place the weapon on “fire”.
Point weapon into clearing barrel for all steps.
2. Lock the bolt to the rear.
1. Remove the magazine from the rifle. 3. Place the weapon on “safe”.
2. Place the weapon on “safe”. 4. Return and lock the coking handle to the forward position.
3. Lock the bolt/slide to the rear. 5. Raise the cover and feed mechanism assembly and conduct 5-point
4. Visually inspect the chamber/remove any ammunition. ammo check:
5. Let the bolt/slide go forward. a. Check feed pawl assembly under the feed cover.
6. Place the weapon on “fire”. b. Check the feed tray assembly.
7. Pull the trigger. c. Lift feed tray assembly and check the chamber.
d. Check the space between the bolt assembly and the chamber.
e. Insert 2 fingers of left hand into magazine well to extract ammo.
For M16-series Rifles:
6. Close the cover and feed mechanism.
8. Charge the weapon.
7. Place the weapon on “fire”.
9. Place the weapon on “safe”. 8. Return the cocking handle to the rear position.
9. Pull the trigger, ease the bolt forward.
For M9 Pistols:
8. Place the weapon “safe”.
9. Return weapon to holster.
M60 Machine Gun
Point weapon into clearing barrel for all steps.
1. Place the weapon on “fire”.
M240B Machine Gun 2. Pull the cocking handle to the rear.
Point weapon into clearing barrel for all steps.
1. Place the weapon on “fire”. 3. Place the weapon on “safe”.
2. Lock the bolt to the rear. 4. Return and lock the coking handle to the forward position.
3. Return the cocking lever to the forward position. 5. Raise the cover and feed mechanism assembly and conduct 4-point
4. Place the weapon on “safe”. ammo check:
5. Raise the cover assembly and conduct 4-point check for ammo: a. Check feed pawl assembly under the cover.
a. Check the feed pawl assembly under the cover. b. Check the feed tray.
b. Check the feed tray.
c. Lift feed tray and hanger assembly and inspect the chamber.
c. Lift the feed tray and inspect the chamber.
d. Check between the face of the bolt and the chamber d. Check the space between the face of the bolt and the chamber.
(including under the bolt and operating rod 6. Close the cover.
assembly). 7. Place the weapon on “fire”.
6. Close the feed tray and cover assembly. 8. Pull the cocking handle to the rear position.
7. Place the weapon on “fire”. 9. Pull the trigger, and at the same time ease the bolt forward.
8. Pull the coking handle to the rear and hold it. 10. Place the weapon on safe.
9. Pull the trigger, ease the bolt forward.
10. Close the ejection port cover.
- per FM 23-68 & STP 21-12-SMCT