Be safe with safety.

Dear Editor,

During our recent arms room inspections in Bosnia, we found a number of M9 pistols that had safeties that were dangerously worn. We think it is because pistols in that environment are continually cleared for loading and unloading.

All armorers with M9S should do the safety/function check on Page 2-22 in TM 9-1005-317-23&P before their M9s go to the field, but this is critical for units using their pistols on a daily basis. Pay special attention to Step 5:

* Rotate the decocking/ safety lever to the SAFE (down) position.

* Depress the slide stop allowing the slide to return fully forward.

* At the same time, the hammer should fall to the full forward position.

After you've finished the safety/ function check, put the safety lever in the SAFE position and try to cock the hammer to the fully cocked position with your thumb. You shouldn't be able to.

If the pistol flunks the function check, it needs to go to direct support for repair or replacement.

SSG Joseph Dutton

Co A, 229th MSB 

MDARNG

M2 Machine Gun Boresight Telescope

A boresight telescope is now available for use with the M2 machine gun when it's mounted on the M1A1, M1A2 and M1A2 SEP tanks. The telescope, NSN 1240-01-499-7958, is being added to the additional authorization list for each of the tanks' operator TMs.