FUNshoot News - Military Handgun Shooting and Maintenance
A newsletter for the modern pafisto.
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Handgun Maintenance
This covers the M9, which has been replaced by the M17/M18 (SIG 320) but is still in active service. I'll cover the M17/M18 in a future issue.
The M9 pistol should be disassembled into its major components and cleaned immediately after firing. All metal components and surfaces that have been exposed to powder fouling should be cleaned using CLP on a bore-cleaning patch. The same procedure is used to clean the receiver. After it has been cleaned and wiped dry, a thin coat of CLP is applied by rubbing with a cloth. This lubricates and preserves the exposed metal parts during all normal temperature ranges. When not in use, the pistol should be inspected weekly and cleaned and lubricated when necessary.
CAUTION: When using CLP, do not use any other type cleaner. Never mix CLP with RBC or LSA.
Clear and disassemble the weapon.
Place the decocking/safety lever in the SAFE down position.
Hold the pistol in the raised pistol position.
Depress the magazine release button and remove the magazine from the pistol.
Pull the slide to the rear and remove any chambered round.
Push the slide stop up, locking the slide to the rear.
Look into the chamber to ensure that it is empty.
To disassemble the pistol, perform the following procedures.
Depress the slide stop and let the slide go forward.
Hold the pistol in the right hand with the muzzle slightly raised.
Press the disassembly lever button with the forefinger.
Rotate the disassembly lever downward until it stops.
Pull the slide and barrel assembly forward and remove it from the receiver.
Carefully and lightly compress the recoil spring and spring guide. At the same time, lift up and remove them.
Separate the recoil spring from the spring guide.
Push in on the locking block plunger while pushing the barrel forward slightly.
Lift and remove the locking block and barrel assembly from the slide.
Wipe or brush dirt, dust, and carbon buildup from the disassembled pistol.
Use CLP to help remove carbon buildup and stubborn dirt and grime. Pay particular attention to the bolt face, guide rails on the receiver, grooves on the slide, and other hard-to-reach areas.
NOTE: Do not use mineral spirits, paint thinner, or dry cleaning solvent to clean the pistol. Use only issued lubricants and cleaners, such as CLP or LSA.
Clean the bore and chamber using CLP and fresh swabs.
Lubricate the pistol by covering all surfaces including the bore and chamber with a light coat of CLP.
In extremely hot or cold weather, refer to the technical manual for lubricating procedures and materials.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
To assemble the M9 or M11 pistol, simply
reverse the procedures used to disassemble the pistol.
Grasp the slide with the bottom facing up.
With the other hand, grasp the barrel assembly with the locking block facing up.
Insert the muzzle into the forward end of the slide and, at the same time, lower the rear of the barrel assembly by aligning the extractor cutout with the extractor. NOTE: The locking block will fall into the locked position in the slide.
Insert the recoil spring onto the recoil spring guide. CAUTION: Maintain spring tension until the spring guide is fully seated in the cutaway on the locking block.
Insert the end of the recoil spring and the recoil spring guide into the recoil spring housing. At the same time, compress the recoil spring guide until it is fully seated on the locking block cutaway. CAUTION: Do not pull the trigger while placing the slide on the receiver.
Ensure that the hammer is unlocked, the firing pin block is in the DOWN position, and the decocking/safety lever is in the SAFE position.
Grasp the slide and barrel assembly with the sights UP, and align the slide on the receiver assembly guide rails.
Push until the rear of the slide is a short distance beyond the rear of the receiver assembly and hold. At the same time, rotate the disassembly latch lever upward. A click indicates a positive lock.
FUNCTION CHECK:
Always perform a function check after the pistol is reassembled to ensure it is working properly. To perform a function check:
Clear the pistol
Depress the slide stop, letting the slide go forward.
Insert an empty magazine into the pistol.
Retract the slide fully and release it.
The slide should lock to the rear.
Depress the magazine release button and remove the magazine.
Ensure the decocking/safety lever is in the SAFE position.
Depress the slide stop. When the slide goes forward, the hammer should fall to the forward position.
Squeeze and release the trigger. The firing pin block should move up and down and the hammer should not move.
Place the decocking/safety lever in the fire position.
Squeeze the trigger to check double action. The hammer should cock and fall.
Squeeze the trigger again. Hold it to the rear. Manually retract and release the slide. Release the trigger. A click should be heard and the hammer should not fall.
Squeeze the trigger to check the single action. The hammer should fall.
Locking Block
Broken locking blocks can be mitigated by replacing the recoil spring regularly (every 5,000 rounds or so) and replacing an old (Gen 1) locking block.