Posted Monday, January 2, 2006 A misfire is a complete failure to fire caused by a procedural or mechanical failure. Choosing the proper misfire procedure depends on whether the firer is in a combat or training environment. Point misfired M136 AT4 launchers away from personnel and equipment, and notify EOD. Do not return misfired M136 AT4 launchers to the ASP. Disarm (uncock) the M136 AT4 launcher and insert the transport safety pin. If the transport safety pin cannot be reinserted or if the pin is missing, notify EOD.
Causes:
A misfire is usually caused by one of the following factors:
- The forward safety is not depressed far enough to disengage the safety.
- The firing mechanism is faulty.
- The propelling charge explosive train is faulty.
WARNING: Keep your weapon pointed toward the target.
Combat Environment:
If a misfire occurs in combat, the firer responds as follows:
- If the M136 AT4 launcher is armed (cocked), keep it pointed away from personnel and equipment at all times.
- Release the forward safety.
- Remove your right hand from the firing mechanism and cock the weapon again.
- Try to fire again. If the launcher still does not fire, maintain the same firing position and return the cocking lever to the SAFE (uncocked) position.
- Move the launcher from your shoulder, keeping the launcher pointed toward the enemy. Reinsert the transport safety pin.
- Break off the sights to identify the misfired launcher.
- Place the launcher on the ground, pointed toward the enemy, and use another launcher. As soon as you can, dispose of the misfired launcher IAW unit SOP.
Training Environment:
If a misfire occurs on a live-fire training range, the firer responds as follows (the trainer later disposes of the launcher IAW local SOP):
- If the M136 AT4 launcher is armed (cocked), keep it pointed away from personnel and equipment at all times.
- Shout “Misfire” as soon as the launcher fails to fire, while maintaining the original sight picture.
- Release the forward safety.
- Recock the launcher. Immediately remove right hand from the firing mechanism and push the cocking lever forward with the heel of the right hand until the lever locks with a loud clicking noise.
Note. Because performing immediate action takes so little time, you need not recheck the backblast area.
- Press the forward safety all the way down and try to fire again. If the launcher still fails to fire, shout misfire, release the forward safety, and move the cocking lever to the SAFE (uncocked) position. Move the launcher from shoulder, keeping the weapon pointed toward the target and cradle the weapon in the left arm.
- Reinsert the transport safety pin, wait two minutes, then carefully lay the launcher on the ground with the muzzle toward the target.
Note. Notify the local ammunition supply and issue point of any unusual occurrence, regardless of whether the weapon fires or not. Examples include excessive overpressure, recoil, or heat on your face after you have fired the weapon (caused by the propellant burning after the round leaves the muzzle). |
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