Small Arms: How Often Should Weapons Be Cleaned?

Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Osvaldo Sanchez
 

This article initially appeared in PS 784 (Mar 18), p. 41.       

 

Dear Half-Mast,

Page 37 in PS 764(Jul 16) said that at least every 90 days an M16 rifle or M4 carbine should be cleaned and lubed. Is that true for all the weapons?

 

SPC B.M.

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Dear Specialist,

Yes! No matter if it’s a pistol, rifle or machine gun, it needs to be cleaned and lubed at least every 90 days, whether it’s been fired or not. And that goes for every Army unit: Active, Reserves and National Guard.
 
But particularly in very humid areas where corrosion is more of a problem, cleaning and lubing will need to be done more often. If you wait until 90 days are up, you may find corrosion has ruined the weapon.
 
When it’s time to take the weapon to the field, a complete BEFORE PMCS also needs to be done by the operator. All of this is spelled out in most of the weapons’ -10 TMs. And if it isn’t, it will be in the TM’s next revision.