How to Maintain M2 .50 Caliber Machine Gun

The M2 .50 Caliber Heavy Barrel Machine Gun is one of the oldest and most reliable weapons on the battlefield today. The proper care and maintenance of the M2, like any other weapon, requires a regular regimen of cleaning. Breaking this weapon down to its most base components is a long and exacting process, but for a quick clean to ensure proper operation nothing is simpler to clean than the big old "Ma Deuce."

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Clean rags
• Brush

1. Check that the weapon is clear of ammunition and the bolt is forward. Remove the back plate by pulling out on the lever below the trigger while lifting the lever below that. With the back plate removed, wipe it down with a clean rag.
2. Look in the back of the weapon. Find the drive-spring assembly. Push the spring in until it clears its post and remove. Wipe it down with a rag.
3. Slide the bolt back till you can see the stud bolt in the charging handle slide. Line the bolt up with the grooves in the rail so you can slide it out. Wipe down the stud bolt.
4. Jerk the charging handle back to remove the rest of the inner workings of the weapon. These will come out in three sections; the bolt, the bolt extension and the barrel buffer assembly. Clean all of these with a dry rag and use a brush on built-up carbon.
5. Reach into the receiver and scrub the insides with a clean rag. Be thorough, as a dirty weapon can hamper operation and cost a life.
6. Reassemble the weapon. Be sure that the teeth on the barrel buffer assembly point to the top of the weapon when attached to the bolt extension. When inserting the bolt, be sure that the cocking lever is forward.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your Ma Deuce well-oiled. She likes to be "wet" when fired.
• Never remove the back plate while the bolt is locked to the rear.
• Keep track of the stud bolt. It is very small and easily lost and the weapon will not function without it.