Misfire Procedures for the M72 Series LAW
Procedures from FM 3-23.25 for both combat and training environments

Posted Monday, May 15, 2006

A misfire is a complete failure to fire caused by a procedural or mechanical failure. The misfire procedures used depends on whether the firer is in a combat or training environment.

Causes

A misfire is usually caused by one of the following factors:

• The launcher may not be fully extended.
• The trigger arming handle may not be armed.
• The firing mechanism or the propelling charge explosive train may be faulty.

Combat Environment

Use the following procedures if a misfire occurs in combat:

• Squeeze the trigger again immediately.
• If the launcher still fails to fire, place the trigger arming handle on SAFE.
• Partly collapse the launcher, than extend it to cock it again.
• Place it on your shoulder, check the backblast area again, and then arm, aim, and fire the launcher.
• If the LAW still fails to fire, squeeze the trigger again and return the trigger arming handle to SAFE. Collapse the launcher, set it aside, and try another one. As soon as possible, dispose of the misfired LAW IAW unit SOP.

Use the following procedures if an M72A2, M72A3, or M190 subcaliber device misfires on a livefire training range:

• Squeeze the trigger again.
• If the launcher still fails to fire, keep the launcher on your shoulder, announce “Misfire,” and wait 10 seconds. Place the trigger arming handle on SAFE.
• Move the launcher from your shoulder and wait one minute.
• Extend the launcher to cock it again, check the backblast area, place the launcher back on your shoulder, pull the arming handle to the ARM position, aim, and squeeze the trigger bar.
• If the launcher again fails to fire, wait 10 seconds before returning the trigger arming handle to the SAFE position.
• Keep the launcher trained on the target area at least one minute; DO NOT collapse the launcher.
• Move the launcher to a safe area and dispose of it IAW unit SOP.