115 Weapons

Question 1

Discuss the characteristics of the Service rifle and its ammunition.

Answer 1

The M16-/M4-series weapons are 5.56-mm, magazine-fed, gas-operated, air-cooled, shoulder-fired weapons

Components of the Service rifle:

• ​Bolt-carrier assembly
• Charging handle assembly
• Lower receiver and buttstock assembly
• Magazine
• Sling
• Upper receiver and barrel assembly

Ammunition:

• Ball (M855) - primary ammo; identified by a green tip
• Tracer (M856) - bright red tip; observation firing & signaling
• Dummy (M199) - six grooves along side of case; dry fire & other training applications
• Blank (M200) - case mouth closed with 7-petal rosette crimp; violet tip; used for training purposes
• Lightweight, Air-cooled, Gas-operated, Magazine-fed, Shoulder or hip fired
• Automatic fire (3 round bursts)
• Semi-automatic fire (single shot)
• Magazine capacity……………30 rounds
• Measurements:
  
  • Length: 39.63 in
  • Weight, with 30 round magazine……..8.79 lbs
  • Bore diameter…………………… 5.56mm
• Maximum effective range:
  
  • Area Target ……………………800 meters
  • Point Target/Individual ……….550 meters
• Rate of Fire:
  
  • Cyclic………………….800 rounds per minute
  • Sustained…………..12-15 rounds per minute
  • Semiautomatic…………..45 rounds per minute
  • Burst…………………….90 rounds per minute

Question 2

Discuss the safety rules operating procedures for Weapons.

Answer 2

1. RULE #1 - Treat every weapon as if it were loaded.
2. RULE #2 - Never point a weapon at anything you do not intend to shoot.
3. RULE #3 - Keep finger straight and off the trigger until you are ready to fire
4. RULE #4 - Keep weapon on safe until you intend to fire

RULE #5 (unofficial) – Know your target and what lies beyond

Question 3

Weapons Conditions

Answer 3

• Condition 1: Safety on, magazine inserted, round in chamber, bolt forward, & ejection port cover closed
• Condition 2: Not applicable to the Service rifle
• Condition 3: Safety on, magazine inserted, chamber empty, bolt forward, & ejection port cover closed
• Condition 4: Safety on, magazine removed, chamber empty, bolt forward, & ejection port cover closed

Question 4

Discuss the characteristics of the T/O service pistol and use of the lanyard.

Answer 4

The M9 pistol is a semiautomatic, magazine fed, recoil operated, double/single action pistol, chambered for the NATO 9mm round

• To fire the first chambered round in single action, the hammer must be manually locked to the rear before pulling the trigger. All shots after the first one will be fired single action because the slide automatically re-cocks the hammer after each shot
• For double action, pulling the trigger will cock the hammer & immediately release it, discharging the first chambered round.
• The lanyard aids in pistol retention
• Magazine (1). Has a 15 cartridge capacity
• Caliber………………….………..9x9mm (9mm NATO)
• length …….………………………..217 mm (8.54 in)
• Width………………………………….38mm(1.50 in)
• Height…………..…………………..140 mm (5.51 in)
• Weight (w/empty magazine)……………960 gr (33.86 oz.)
• Weight (w/15 round magazine)………..1145 gr (40.89 oz.)
• Barrel Length…………………..125mm (4.92 in)
• Maximum effective range………..50 meters (54.7 yards)
• Maximum range…………….1800 meters (1969.2 yards)

Question 5

Name the major components of the M9 pistol.

Answer 5

Name the major components of the M9 pistol.

• Slide assembly
• Barrel assembly
• Recoil spring and recoil spring guide (rod)
• Receiver assembly
• Magazine assembly

Question 6

Discuss the immediate action to clear a stoppage for the T/O Service pistol.

Answer 6

Discuss the immediate action to clear a stoppage for the T/O Service pistol.

• TAP: slap the bottom of the magazine
• RACK: pull the slide to the rear and release
• BANG: sight and fire

Question 7

Discuss the (K-Bar) fighting knife.

Answer 7

Discuss the (K-Bar) fighting knife.

• Marines must be trained in knife fighting techniques to defend against attacks when an opponent is either unarmed or armed with a held-held weapon.
• Marines experienced in offensive knife techniques can cause enough damage and massive trauma to stop an opponent. When engaged against each other, experienced knife fighters employ various maneuvers and techniques that are specific to knife fighting.
• Seldom, if ever, will Sailors engage an opponent in a classical knife fight

Question 8

Discuss the safe handling procedures and use of:

Fragmentation grenades

Handheld signals/flares

Answer 8

Discuss the safe handling procedures and use of:

Fragmentation grenades

• Know where all friendly forces are located.
• Know the sector of fire.
• Use the buddy or team system.
• Ensure the projected arc of the fragmentation hand grenade is clear of obstacles

Hand held signals/flares

• Keep away from fire.
• Don’t handle if damaged or if parts are missing.
• Handle carefully and use basic issue leather work gloves and full helmet when possible.
• Aim at all times away from face, body, and friendly troops.
• Before items are launched check wind to achieve height for visibility.
• Avoid overhead obstacles (foliage and so forth).
• Avoid fallout (rocket parts and so forth).
• Maintain at least a 45-degree elevation to launch.
• Check wind to avoid fire, smoke inhalation, or irritation with all pyrotechnic items
• Discuss the purpose, employment, and characteristics of the following weapons:

Question 9

Answer 9

M203 Grenade Launcher

• lightweight, single-shot, breech-loaded, pump action, shoulder-fired weapon attached to an M16A1 or A2 rifle
• Weight of launcher unloaded……..1.4 kg (3.0 pounds)
• Caliber…………………………………..40 mm
• Maximum range…………………..400 meters (1,312 feet)
• Maximum effective range:
  
  • Area target. ……..350 meters (1,148 feet)
  • Point target. …… .150 meters (492 feet)
• The M203 fires high-explosive, illuminating, signaling, CS, and training ammunition

Question 10

Answer 10

M249 machine gun

• Machine gun, light, squad automatic weapon - M249 (SAW) is air-cooled, belt or magazine-fed, gas-operated automatic weapon. The weapon fires from the open-bolt position and is fed by a disintegrating belt of metal links.
  
  • Weight of SAW: with bipod & tools - 17 lbs
  • with 200 round drum - 23.92 lbs
  • Ranges:
    
    • Max - 3,600 meters
    • mex effective point targets - 800m
    • area targets - 1,000 m
    • grazing fire - 600 m
    • ammunition - 5.56 mm
• SAW has greater effective range and higher rate of fire than any other weapon in the present rifle squad

Question 11

Answer 11

M240G machine gun

• M240G machine is an air-cooled, belt-fed, gas-operated automatic weapon.
• able to provide heavy, controlled volume of accurate, long-range fire that is beyond that of small arms
• fires from the open-bolt position and is fed by disintegrating belt of metal links
• The traversing and elevating (T&E) mechanism permits controlled manipulation in both direction and elevation, and makes it possible to engage predetermined targets during darkness or reduced visibility
  
  • Total system weight (gun & tripod complete) - 45.6 lbs
  • weight of machine gun - 25.6 lbs
  • weight of barrel - 6.6 lbs
  • Ranges:
    
    • max - 3,275 m
    • max effective - 1,800 m
    • grazing fire - 600m
    • caliber - 7.62 mm
• versatile weapon that can support both offensive and defensive operations

Question 12

Answer 12

M2 .50 cal machine gun

• The machine gun, caliber .50, Browning, M2HB (M2 .50 cal), is a belt-fed, recoil-operated, air- cooled, crew-served machine gun. The gun is capable of single shot as well as automatic fire
• ammunition can be fed from right or left, but infantry generally uses only left side feed
• disintegrating metallic link belt used in feeding
• Suppress and destroy enemy fortifications, vehicles and personnel
• Defend against low-flying hostile aircraft. Destroy lightly armored vehicles
  
  • Ammunition: Caliber………………………..50 caliber
• Weights/measurements:
  
  • Total system weight (gun& tripod complete) 128 lbs
    
    • Weight of receiver………………….60 lbs
    • Weight of barrel…………………….24 lbs
  • Length of barrel………………… 45 inches
• Ranges:
  
  • Maximum (M2 ball) ……………7,400 meters (approx)
  • Maximum effective………………………..1,830 meters
  • Grazing fire ……………………………………700 meters

Question 13

Answer 13

MK-19 machine gun

• The MK-19 is an air cooled, blowback-operated, fully automatic weapon
• The ammunition is fed into the gun by a disintegrating metallic link belt
• The MK-19 is employed from a tripod or from a variety of vehicles
• Suppress and destroy enemy personnel, fortifications, and vehicles
• Can be used to:
  
  • Protect motor movements, assembly areas, and supply trains in bivouac
  • Defend against hovering rotary aircraft
  • Destroy lightly armored vehicles
  • Fire on suspected enemy positions
  • Provide high volumes of fire into an engagement area
  • Cover obstacles
  • Provide indirect fires from defilade positions
• Weights/measurements:
  
  • Total system weight (gun, cradle & tripod) 140.6 lbs
  • Weight of gun ……………….. 75.6 lbs
  • Weight of gun cradle (MK64 MODS) ….. 21 lbs
  • Weight ofM3 tripod……………….. 44 lbs
  • Length of gun ………………….. 43.1 inches
  • Caliber…………………………………….. 40 millimeter
• Ranges:
  
  • Maximum …………………………..2,212 meters

Question 14

Answer 14

81mm mortar

• The immediate objective is to deliver a large volume of accurate and timely fire to inflict as many casualties as possible on the enemy
• The 81-mm mortar, M29Al, is a smooth-bore, muzzle-loaded, high-angle-of-fire weapon
• The components of the mortar consist of a cannon, mount, and base plate
• Weights (pounds):
  
  • The System (including basic issue items - 121.5 (total in three loads)
• Range
  
  • (Minimum to maximum) 70 to 4,737 meters
  • Rate of Fire:
    
    • Sustained: 3 to 5 Rds per minute for 1 minute
  • Maximum for 2 minutes: 12 rounds per minute
  • Maximum for 5 minutes: 12 rounds per minute
• The following are authorized cartridges for the 81-mm mortar, M29A1:
  
  • High explosive–M374 series and M362 series
  • White phosphorus–M375 series, M370 series, and M57 series
  • Illuminating–M301 series
  • Training practice–M68 and M880 (SRTR)

Question 15

Answer 15

60-mm MORTAR, M224

• Mortar units must be prepared to accomplish multiple fire missions
• can provide an immediate, heavy volume of accurate fire for sustained periods
• Mortars are suppressive indirect fire (high-angle-of-fire) weapons. They can be employed to neutralize or destroy area or point targets, screen large areas with smoke, and to provide illumination or coordinated HE/illumination.
• The 60-mm mortar, M224, can be fired in the conventional mode or handheld mode
• The mortar is a muzzle-loaded, smooth-bore, high-angle-of-fire weapon. It can be drop-fired or trigger-fired and has four major components:
  
  • The Canon
  • The bi-pod assembly
  • The sight unit
  • The base plate M8or M7
• Weights:
  
  • Complete mortar………………….46.5 lbs
  • Cannon, M225…………………..…18 lbs
  • Bipod Assembly M170………….…15.2 lbs
  • Sight unit, M64Al …………………14.4 lbs
  • Base plate…………………………..3.6 lbs
• Range: 70 to 3,490 meters

Question 16

Answer 16

M777, 155mm howitzer

• The M777 is smaller and 42% lighter, at less than 4,100 kg (9,000 lb), than the M198 it replaces. Most of the weight reduction is due to the use of titanium. The lighter weight and smaller size allows the M777 to be transported by MV-22 Osprey, CH-47 helicopter or truck with ease, so that it can be moved in and out of the battlefield more quickly. The smaller size also improves storage and transport efficiency in military warehouses and Air/Naval Transport.
• The gun crew required is an Operational Minimum of five (compared to a previous size of nine).
• General characteristics:
  
  • Crew: 5 enlisted
  • Bore diameter: 155mm
  • Max effective range:
    
    • 24 km (15mi) w/ M109 ammunition
    • 40 km (25mi) w/ Excalibur
  • Rates of Fire:
    
    • Max: 5 round/min
    • Sustained: 2 round/min

Question 17

Answer 17

M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)

• The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a highly mobile artillery rocket system that offers MLRS firepower on a wheeled vehicle, making it an ideal system for the medium-weight brigades under the Marine Corps.
• The HIMARS launcher, a wheeled vehicle, is lighter in weight compared to the Army MLRS M-270 launcher. It weighs approximately 15 tons, compared to 27 tons for the M-270
• General characteristics:
  
  • Operational range: 480 km (298 mi)
  • Speed: 85 km/h (52.8 mph)
  • Armament: 6 M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System Series Rockets or 1 MGM 140 ATACMS missile
  • Crew: 3 enlisted

Question 18

Answer 18

Targeted Optical Wire-guided (TOW) weapon system

• The TOW is a crew portable, vehicle-mounted, heavy anti-armor weapon system consisting of a launcher and one of five versions of the TOW missile.
• It is designed to defeat armored vehicles and other targets such as field fortifications from ranges up to 3,750 meters.
• After firing the missile, the gunner must keep the cross hairs of the sight centered on the target to ensure a hit. The system will operate in all weather conditions in which the gunner can see a target throughout the missile flight by using either a day or night sight