SAFE WEAPONS HANDLING

WPN 1002

• Weapons conditions and safety rules• Reloads• Weapon Commands• Weapon Carries• Weapon Transports• Weapon Transfers• Indicators for Remedial Actions/Remedial

Actions

OVERVIEW

CONDITION 1: Magazine inserted, round in the chamber, bolt forward, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe.

CONDITION 2: Does not apply to the M16A4.

CONDITION 3: Magazine inserted, bolt forward on an empty chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe.

CONDITION 4: No magazine inserted, bolt forward on an empty chamber, ejection port cover closed, weapon on safe.

WEAPON CONDITIONS FOR THE M16A4

FOUR SAFETY RULES

• RULE #1: TREAT every weapon as if it were loaded.

• RULE #2: NEVER point a weapon at anything that you do not intend to shoot.

• RULE #3: KEEP your finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire.

• RULE #4: KEEP your weapon on safe until you intend to fire.

TYPES OF RELOADS

• Condition 1 Reload

• Dry Reload

• Load• Make Ready• Fire• Cease Fire• Unload• Unload, show clear

WEAPON COMMANDS

• Ensures that the chamber is clear– Point the muzzle in a designated SAFE DIRECTION. – Attempt to place selector lever on SAFE. If weapon is not cocked, lever

cannot be placed on SAFE.– Remove the magazine by depressing the magazine catch button and pulling

the magazine down.– To lock bolt open, pull charging handle rearward. Press bottom of bolt

catch and allow bolt to move forward until it engages bolt catch. Return charging handle to full forward position. If you have not done so before, place the selector lever on SAFE.

– Visually (not physically) inspect the receiver and chamber to ensure these areas contain no ammo.

– Allow inspector to view empty chamber, when confirmed– With the selector lever pointing toward SAFE, allow the bolt to go forward

by pressing the upper portion of the bolt catch.

“SHOW CLEAR”

TACTICAL CARRY

• Used in tactical situation where no immediate threat is present

• Used in tactical situations in which enemy contact is likely

• “Alert to the Dirt”

ALERT CARRY

READY CARRY

• Used in tactical situations in which contact with the enemy is imminent

STRONG SIDE SLING ARMS (MUZZLE UP)

• Administrative carry used in garrison/non-tactical environment

WEAK SIDE SLING ARMS (MUZZLE DOWN)

• Administrative carry used during inclement weather

CROSS BODY SLING ARMS (MUZZLE DOWN)

• Used when both hands are required for work during inclement weather. Also ensures barrel is pointed in safe direction

CROSS BODY SLING ARMS (MUZZLE UP)

• Used when both hands are required for work.

TRANSFERRING THE RIFLE

• Proper weapons handling is required every time a weapon is passed to another person

• It is the responsibility of the person receiving or taking charge of a weapon to determine its condition.

SHOW CLEAR TRANSFER

Person handing off the weapon• Ensure the rifle is on safe• Remove the magazine if it is present, then lock the bolt to the rear• Visually inspect the chamber• State “CLEAR”• Leave the bolt locked to the rear and hand the weapon to the other

MarinePerson receiving the weapon must• Ensure the rifle is on safe• Visually inspect the chamber• State “CLEAR”• Release the bolt catch and observe the bolt going forward on an empty

chamber• Close the ejection port cover

CONDITION UNKNOWN TRANSFER

• Conducted by a person when he takes charge of an unmanned rifle in any situation

• To properly pass a rifle between persons when its condition is unknown, the person receiving the weapon must conduct the same steps as in the show clear transfer

• If rounds are present, and time permits, count the rounds.

REMEDIAL ACTION

The process of investigating the cause of a stoppage, clearing the stoppage and returning the weapon to operation

BOLT FORWARD OR EJECTION PORT COVER CLOSED

CORRECTIVE ACTION

• Seek cover if situation permits• Finger straight and off the trigger• Observe ejection port cover• Tap-the bottom of the magazine• Rack-pull charging handle to the rear and

release it • Bang-sight in and attempt to fire

BRASS OBSTRUCTING CHAMBER

• Seek Cover if tactical situation permits• Finger straight and off the trigger• Observe ejection port cover• Remove the magazine• Lock Bolt to the rear

– If bolt does not lock: • Rotate rifle with ejection port cover down• Hold charging handle back and shake rifle • If rounds don’t shake free, strike butt on the

ground, or pry them out manually• Reload, sight in, attempt to fire

CORRECTIVE ACTION

BOLT LOCKED TO REAR

CORRECTIVE ACTION

• Seek Cover if tactical situation permits

• Finger straight and off the trigger

• Observe ejection port cover

• Conduct a dry reload

• Sight in and attempt to fire

• Seek Cover if tactical situation permits• Finger straight and off the trigger• Place rifle in condition 4• Remove bolt carrier group• Inspect bore for obstruction• Insert cleaning rod into bore from muzzle• Reassemble the rifle• Conduct Reload• Sight in and attempt to fire

AUDIBLE “POP” OR REDUCED RECOIL

• Weapons conditions and safety rules• Reloads• Weapon Commands• Weapon Carries• Weapon Transports• Weapon Transfers• Indicators for Remedial Actions/Remedial

Actions

SUMMARY