Firing Range carbine cleaning & maintenance

All of our Firing Range carbines were post-WWII rebuilds.

We had a substantial inventory of carbines - I cannot remember the exact number (it has been so long ago) - but sufficient to allow frequent rotation in order to provide carbines in optimum condition for each day's training and qualification firing. The great majority were M1 models although we did have several M2 (semi-automatic/automatic select fire) models that we used for Security Police/Marksmanship Instructor training and qualification firing.

Firing Range storage rack of twenty M1 Carbines

Our Range Instructor staff (normally consisting of about three NCOs and four Airmen - variable due to overseas assignment rotation) conducted annual Marksmanship training and qualification firing for Base enlisted personnel usually five days per week (morning and aftertnoon relays - Monday through Friday) almost every week of the year.

They were also responsible for Range Carbine inspection and maintenance.

Prior to annual qualification firing, airmen were routed to the range classroom where a refresher course in safe handling of the carbine, firing range pocedures and principles of marksmanship (position, sight alignment, trigger squeeze and breath control) was provided.

FIRING RANGE CARBINE USAGE

Our carbines were in constant hard use but they were maintained in excellent condition.

CLEANING, LUBRICATION, PROTECTION & INSPECTION

After annual qualification firing, relays were routed to the range classroom where each individual was required to disassemble (field strip), clean, lubricate and re-assemble the carbines they had just fired IAW the provisions of FM 23-7/AFM 50-4, January 1952 and under the supervision of Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors.

Operations

Disassembly - into major groups: Barrel and Receiver, Trigger Housing, Operating Slide, Bolt, Stock and Handguard.

Cleaning & Lubrication - all metal parts (including bore) were cleaned and lubricated using cleaner, rifle bore and oil, lubricating, preservative, special..

Assembly - groups were re-assembled in reverse order and carbine exterior wiped down using soft dry rags.

Stock and handguard maintenance - Oil, linseed, raw was applied to wood as determined by Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors.

Inspection - for correct assembly & function by Small Arms Marksmanship Instructors and for identification of worn or damaged parts requiring replacement by the range staff. We regularly perfomed Field Maintenance IAW TM 9-1276/TO 39-A-5AD-2 on our M1 and M2 Carbines. We maintained an inventory of up-to-date parts and assemblies which we used to replace worn or broken existing ones as needed. Those identified in the TM as requiring Depot replacement such as receivers, barrels, front sights, etc. were shipped to designated facilities.