071-312-4028 (SL1) - Unload an M249 Machine Gun
Standards: Removed all ammunition, expanded brass, links, and the magazine from the weapon.

1.   Pull the cocking handle to the rear, locking the bolt in the rear position.

2.   Place the safety in the safe mode (the red band will not show) and return the cocking handle to its forward position.

3.   Remove ammunition and links.

a. Belt-fed. Raise the cover and remove any ammunition or links from the feed tray.

b. Magazine-fed. Push down on the magazine release tab and pull the magazine out. Then raise the cover.

4.   Raise the feed tray and inspect the chamber to ensure that it contains no ammunition. If it contains ammunition, remove the ammunition.

5.   Close the cover.

6.   Place the safety in the fire mode (the red band will show).

7.   Pull the cocking handle to the rear, and pull the trigger while manually easing the bolt forward to the closed position.

1.   Pulled the cocking handle to the rear, locking the bolt in the rear position.

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2.   Placed the safety in safe mode (the red band will not show) and returned the cocking handle to its forward position.

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3.   Removed ammunition and links.

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a. Belt-fed.  Raised the cover and removed any ammunition or links from the feed tray.

b. Magazine-fed.  Pushed down on the magazine release tab and pulled the magazine out.  Then raised the cover.

4.   Raised the feed tray and inspected the chamber to ensure that it contained no ammunition. If it contained ammunition, removed the ammunition.

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5.   Closed the cover.

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6.   Placed the safety in the fire mode (the red band will show).

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7.   Pulled the cocking handle to the rear, and pulled the trigger while manually easing the bolt forward to the closed position.

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FM 3-22.68