Maintain an M249 Machine Gun Reviews
Operating Rod Group
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&pageText=The seventh and last step in the assembly of the M249 machine gun involves placing the operating rod group back in with the receiver group, by:& &label1=Place slide assembly onto the rear of piston& &label2=Place firing pin spring on firing pin& &label3=Insert face of piston into receiver& &label4=Place operating rod tip into operating rod spring& &label5=Pivot the buttstock upward and push retaining pin to the right& &popText1=Hold the piston in one hand with the face of the piston facing outward and the sear notches downward. With the other hand, place the slide assembly onto the rear of the piston with the firing pin toward the front of the piston. Check to be sure that the slide assembly retaining pin is out. Push the slide assembly retaining pin to the right. This locks together the piston assembly and the slide assembly.& &popText2=Put the firing pin spring on the firing pin located on the slide assembly. Place the bolt on the slide assembly, aligning the driving lug of the bolt with the slot of the slide assembly. Apply pressure to the face of the bolt to compress the firing pin spring. Then, rotate the bolt to hook the driving lug into the slide assembly.& &popText3=Open the cover assembly on the receiver. Insert the face of the piston into the receiver, aligning the bolt lugs onto the receiver rails. Pull the trigger and push the moving parts forward until the bolt is seated into the chamber.& &popText4=Place the operating rod tip into the operating rod spring. Then insert the free end of the operating rod and spring into the rear of the piston. Depress the rear of the operating rod assembly until the two lugs on the buffer are positioned in the receiver grooves.& &popText5=Pivot the buttstock upward into position and push the upper retaining pin to the right, locking the buttstock to the receiver. This completes the assembly of the operating rod group and the assembly of the entire weapon. Click the Next button to continue.&