URGENT M2 .50 Caliber Shooters Read This: SAFETY ALERT

Jeff White · November 16, 1999, 01:04 PM

I just received an urgent safety message from Armament Command at Rock Island Arsenal regarding the M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun. Text Follows:

URGENT
DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ARMY EQUIPMENT WILL OCCUR IF ACTIONS SPECIFIED IN THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED.

1. Distribution: Note this is a safety of use message that has not been transmitted to your subordinate units. MACOM commanders will immediately retransmit this message to all subordinate units, activities, or elements affected or concerned. Retransmittal shall reference this message. MACOM commanders will immediately verify receipt and retransmission of this message by sending an info copy of the retransmittal to Director, Tank-Automotive and Armament Command. Rock Island (TACOM-RI)ATTN: XXXXX-XX-XXXX, Rock Island, IL XXXXX-XXXX EMAIL XXXXXXXXX

2. Problem Discussion: Investigation of Quality Deficiency reports from Camp Pendleton indicates that there are unacceptable (soft) M2 Machine gun breech locks in the supply system. A safety hazard is present when the M2 Machine gun is fired with a soft breech lock. The hardness for a new breech lock should be Rockwell C53 to C59 (HRC53 to HRC59). Hardness testing performed on some samples has shown the hardness is below HRC20. Continued firing of the M2 Machine gun with a nonconforming "soft" breech lock will cause rapid headspace growth. Excessive headspace growth will result in ammunition case rupture, weapon damage, and/or serious injury to the users.

3. User actions: The breech lock, P/N 7161302, NSN 1005-00-716-1302 shall immediately be removed from the M2 Machine guns IAW TM 9-1005-213-23, TM 9-1005-213-10, and TM 9-1090-214-23&P. All breech locks exhibiting any crack, chip, burr or excessive wear should be replaced. Check the breech locks identification marking. Any breech locks marked with 7161302 only or no marking at all shall not be used until its hardness has been checked. All other breech locks are acceptable for use.

REST OF MESSAGE CONTAINING ARMY SPECIFIC DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS HAS BEEN DELETED BY ME IN THE SAKE OF BREVITY.

If you shoot an M2 or know someone who does, check the breech lock. I'd hate to see someone injured or an expensive weapon damaged.

Jeff

November 16, 1999, 01:04 PM	#1
Jeff White Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1998 Location: Kinmundy, IL, USA Posts: 1,397	I just received an urgent safety message from Armament Command at Rock Island Arsenal regarding the M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun. Text Follows: URGENT DEATH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DAMAGE TO ARMY EQUIPMENT WILL OCCUR IF ACTIONS SPECIFIED IN THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED. 1. Distribution: Note this is a safety of use message that has not been transmitted to your subordinate units. MACOM commanders will immediately retransmit this message to all subordinate units, activities, or elements affected or concerned. Retransmittal shall reference this message. MACOM commanders will immediately verify receipt and retransmission of this message by sending an info copy of the retransmittal to Director, Tank-Automotive and Armament Command. Rock Island (TACOM-RI)ATTN: XXXXX-XX-XXXX, Rock Island, IL XXXXX-XXXX EMAIL XXXXXXXXX 2. Problem Discussion: Investigation of Quality Deficiency reports from Camp Pendleton indicates that there are unacceptable (soft) M2 Machine gun breech locks in the supply system. A safety hazard is present when the M2 Machine gun is fired with a soft breech lock. The hardness for a new breech lock should be Rockwell C53 to C59 (HRC53 to HRC59). Hardness testing performed on some samples has shown the hardness is below HRC20. Continued firing of the M2 Machine gun with a nonconforming "soft" breech lock will cause rapid headspace growth. Excessive headspace growth will result in ammunition case rupture, weapon damage, and/or serious injury to the users. 3. User actions: The breech lock, P/N 7161302, NSN 1005-00-716-1302 shall immediately be removed from the M2 Machine guns IAW TM 9-1005-213-23, TM 9-1005-213-10, and TM 9-1090-214-23&P. All breech locks exhibiting any crack, chip, burr or excessive wear should be replaced. Check the breech locks identification marking. Any breech locks marked with 7161302 only or no marking at all shall not be used until its hardness has been checked. All other breech locks are acceptable for use. REST OF MESSAGE CONTAINING ARMY SPECIFIC DISPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS HAS BEEN DELETED BY ME IN THE SAKE OF BREVITY. If you shoot an M2 or know someone who does, check the breech lock. I'd hate to see someone injured or an expensive weapon damaged. Jeff