TM 9-1275

7. Purpose
a. Fundamentally, inspection is for the purpose of determining whether the materiel is serviceable and dependable, or the extent of its serviceability. Serviceability, as interpreted in this section, is the ability of the rifle to perform its intended functions completely.

b. In the event the rifle is found unserviceable, the cause and extent of unserviceability is determined. For weapons in the hands of troops, such deficiencies as are found will be corrected on the spot, if practicable. If the rifle is being rebuilt by an ordnance shop, it is thoroughly and completely inspected and put into the best possible condition that time, materials and tactical circumstances allow, and returned to the using arm ready for use.

8. Reports
a. Forward suggested improvements in design, maintenance, safety and efficiency of operation prompted by chronic failure or malfunction of the weapon, spare parts, accessories, or equipment to the Chief of Ordnance, Field Service, Maintenance Division, Washington 25 D.C., with all available pertinent information necessary to initiate corrective action. Report this information on WD AGO Form 468 (Unsatisfactory Equipment Report). Such suggestions are encouraged so that other organizations may benefit.

b. Report to the responsible officer any pertinent carelessness or negligence in the observation of preventive maintenance procedures and safety precautions. This report should be accompanied by recommendations for correcting the unsatisfactory conditions.

Note. The inspector's aim is not to find fault with the using arm, but to be helpful.

9. Inspection Procedure
a. General. (1) Each rifle to be inspected is held with the muzzle pointed to the floor, cleared at once, and the chamber inspected for a live round. Be certain that there are no obstructions in the bore or chamber. Do not touch the trigger until after rifle has been cleared.
(2) Before inspection the materiel is to be thoroughly cleaned to remove any grease, dirt, or other foreign matter which might interfere with its proper functioning or the use of the gauges and tools used in inspection.
(3) Inspection, maintenance, and repair of the rifle is to be thorough and exacting, for the malfunction of one small part may cause malfunction of the rifle.
(4) The rifle is to be visually inspected for general condition, operation, and functioning before disassembling for detailed inspection. In such inspection, dummy cartridges are used.

b. Serviceability Standards And Special Requirements For Oversea Shipment (1) When performing inspection, the future disposition of the rifle must be considered, as certain serviceability standards have been established (fig. 23) based upon whether the weapons are for user organizations, for oversea shipment, or to be placed in storage for reissue.

(2) In addition to the limits of serviceability which have been established, the following additional special requirements must be adhered to for those rifles which are to accompany troops overseas:

(a) All safety devices are to operate satisfactorily.
(b) While it is desirable to have a perfect finish on each weapon, no weapon is to be rejected for oversea use unless the exterior parts have a distinct shine.
(c) All spare parts and accessories are to be in good condition and on hand.
(d) Stocks are to have no cracks or splits. All screws are to fit tightly and their slots are to be in good condition.
(e) The front sight must be properly and securely assembled and have no burs or malfunctions. Rear sight adjustment for both windage and elevation must function smoothly and show no excessive wear.
(f) The rifle must not have a shiny gas cylinder. Refer to paragraph 22b for correction of shiny gas cylinders.
(g) The rifle must be equipped with a new type butt plate which includes a trap.
(h) The rear sight aperture must have a dull black or grey finish on all surfaces.
(i) The rifle must function properly when operated by hand.
(j) Check to be certain that all cleaning and preservative equipment authorized by the standard nomenclature list, oiler, thong case, and combination tool are provided with each rifle.

c. Inspection (1) Bolt. Place the clip containing eight dummy cartridges in the receiver of the rifle in the normal manner, and allow the bolt to close. Check the operating rod handle to make certain that the bolt is in the fully closed position. Then slowly retract the bolt to note whether the extractor has fully engaged the cartridge and whether the ejector throws the cartridge from the receiver. Retract the bolt fully and repeat the operation until the entire clip of eight cartridges has been fed through the successive cycle of operations. As the last cartridge is ejected, the empty clip should also be thrown firmly upward and away from the receiver. The operating rod handle should then remain in the retracted position.

(2) Trigger pull. The trigger, when pulled, should move to the rear without stopping or gritting. Trigger pull must be greater than 5 1/2 pounds but is not to exceed 7 1/2 pounds for the M1 rifle; and is not to be less than 4 1/2 pounds or more than 6 1/2 pounds for the M1C and M1D rifles. Trigger pull is determined by using the trigger pull weights. (See fig. 15) With the rifle cocked and the safety in the forward position, rest the weight on the floor or ground and hook the trigger weight wire onto the trigger so that the rod and the barrel are vertical and parallel; then carefully raise the rifle from the floor. In testing the M1 rifle if the 5 1/2 pound weight trips the hammer or the 7 1/2 pound weight fails to trip the hammer, correct the rifle in accordance with instructions contained in paragraph 26c. Test the M1C and M1D rifles in a similar manner, using the 4 1/2 pound and 6 1/2 pound weights.

(3) Clip ejector. Inspect function and spring tension of clip ejector with loaded clip in rifle.

(4) Rear sight. Try the rear sight elevation and windage knobs for operation. (See fig. 5) To verify the setting of the rear sight, set the 100-yard elevating knob graduation opposite the index line on the receiver. With this setting it should be possible to depress the aperture from one to nine clicks. Check the cover for tightness and tension relative to the aperture.

(5) Gas cylinder group. Check the parts of the gas cylinder group for dents, burs, etc. Check the front sight for looseness, bent or burred wings, and check the blade for "shine".

TM 9-1275