TB 23-7-1
CARBINE, CAL. .30, M1
SECTION IV

CARE, CLEANING AND LUBRICATION

Paragraph
In garrison and camp
30
Preparatory to firing
31
After firing
32
On the range or in the field
33
Preparation of carbines for storage
34
Cleaning carbines as recieved from storage
35
Care and cleaning in cold climates
36
Care and cleaning in hot climates
37
Field inspection
38

    30.  IN GARRISON AND CAMP. -- a. Care and cleaning in garrison and camp include the care of the carbine necessary to preserve its condition and appearance during the periods when no firing is being done. Carbines in the hands of troops should be inspected daily to insure proper condition and cleanliness. Training schedules should allow proper time for cleaning carbines on each day when carbines are used in training. for special care in extreme climates refer to paragraphs 36 and 37.
     b. (1) The bore of the carbine will always be cleaned by inserting a cleaning rod into the muzzle end. When cleaned, with carbine fully assembled, the bolt should be held in the open position by inserting a piece of wood between the forward face of operating slide cam lug and right rear face of hand guard (or receiver). The operating slide stop is designed for holding the bolt in its rearmost position, but if a cleaning rod longer than the authorized one is used the end of the rod may strike the face of the bolt and release it. To protect the face of the bolt, a piece of rag should be stuffed into the receiver. The magazine should be removed before cleaning the bore.
     (2) To clean the bore, assemble a cloth patch to the cleaning rod and insert the rod into the bore at the muzzle end. Move it forward and backward several times the entire length of the bore and chamber and replace with a new patch. Repeat until a patch comes out clean. When issue patches are not available, patches should be cut to approximately 2 ½  inches square to permit their being forced through the bore without bending the cleaning rod. Then saturate a patch with the oil currently used for lubrication and preservation of small arms and push it through the bore, holding the carbine, top up, so that some of the oil will flow into the gas port. (OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, is a good preservative when available).
    CAUTION: In cleaning the bore, care must be taken not to foul the cleaning patch in the gas port.
     c. To clean the screw heads and crevices, use a small cleaning brush or a small stick. To clean the metal surfaces, wipe& with a dry cloth to remove moisture, perspiration, and dirt, then wipe with a clean cloth containing a small quantity of OIL, lubricating, preservative, light. This protective film will be maintained at all times. To clean the outer wood surfaces of the carbine, wipe off the dirt with a lightly oiled cloth and clean with a soft dry one.
     d. After cleaning and protecting the carbine as described above, place it in the gun rack without covering and without a plug in the muzzle or bore. Muzzle covers, gun covers, rack covers, and plugs must not be used because they cause sweating and promote rust. However, when squad rooms are being swept, the gun racks may be covered to protect the carbines from dust. Covers must be removed after the rooms have been swept.

    31. PREPARATORY TO FIRING. -- Before firing, the following procedure will be observed to assure the efficient functioning of the carbine. (Refer to paragraphs 36 and 37).
     a. Dismount the main groups.
     b. Remove all dirtand oil from bore and chamber with clean patches.
     c. Remove any carbon on the piston head and in the gas cylinder.
     d. Thoroughly clean and lightly oil all metal parts using OIL, lubricating, preservative, light.
     e. Do not oil the bore or chamber, as hazardous chamber pressures may develop. (See paragraph 51).
     f. Lightly lubricate the following points, with a drop of oil from oiler rod.
     (1) Bolt lugs (locking and cam).
     (2) Bolt guideways in reciever.
     (3) Cocking cam on rear of bolt, and firing pin tang recess.
     (4) Operating slide spring guide.
     (5) Operating slide guideways in barrel.
     (6) Operating slide (handle) guideway in receiver.
     (7) Contacting surface of reciever and operationg slide.
     (8) Operating slide (handle) camming aperature.
     (9) Piston shank.
     CAUTION: Do not oil face or underside of bolt as oil may thus get into chamber of the barrel.
     g. A drop of oil should occasionally be placed on the operating slide stop, magazine catch and magazine retainer plunger, trigger pin, hammer pin and hammer plunger.
     h. Lubrication should be applied lightly, as too much oil cllects grit  and foriegn matter which will cause undue abrasive wear and possible malfunction.
     i. When bore and mechanism have been cleaned and oiled as described, assemble the carbine and rub all outer surfaces with a lightly oiled rag.

    32. AFTER FIRING. -- The bores of all carbines must be thoroughly cleaned by the evening of the day on which they are fired. They should be cleaned in the same manner for the next 3 days. (Refer to paragraphs 36 and 37).
     CAUTION: Under no circumstances will metal fouling solution be used in this carbine.
     a. Immediate cleaning after firing, or as soon as possible. -- Hold the carbine bottom side up, so that no cleaning fluid (or water) will enter the gas port in the bore. Run several patches saturated with CLEANER, rifle bore, through the bore. If rifle bore cleaner is not available, warm soapy water (issue soap) or warm water alone should be used. Remove pache from cleaning rod and assemble the cleaning brush to the rod end. Run brush back and forth through the bore several times while bore is still wet. Care should be taken to insure that the brush goes all the way through the bore before the direction is reversed, and that the chamber is thoroughly cleaned its entire length. The diameter of the chamber in the carbine is so neat that of the bore, that additional cleaning should not be, as a rule, necessary. After using the brush, run several wet patches through bore and chamber, removing them from the breech end. Following this by dry, clean patches until patches come out clean and dry. Saturate patch in OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, and push it through the bore and chamber, holding the carbine, top side up, so that some of the oil will flow into the gas port in the bore.
CAUTION: In cleaning the bore care must be taken not to foul the cleaning patch in the gas port.
     b. Complete cleaning. -- This cleaning should be done with the groups dismounted, and as soon as possible after that described in subparagraph a above. If the carbine is to be fired the next day, proceed as in paragraph 31. If the carbine is not to be fired in the next few days, repeat procedure in subparagraph a above for 3 days. In addition, the following instructions will be observed:
     (1) Gas cylinder and piston. -- After extensive firing, remove the piston. Clean out all excess carbon from gas cylinder and from head of piston. Care should be used when removing carbon not to scratch gas cylinder or piston unnecessarily. Check gas port in barrel after cleaning to make sure it is free, a test piston for freedom of action in gas cylinder and through piston nut when reassembled. In rearward position, piston should protrude about ¼ inch.
     (2) Exterior surfaces. -- Wipe off the exterior of the carbine with a dry cloth to remove dampness, dirt, and perspiration. Wipe all metal surfaces with OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, and the stock and hand guard, with OIL, linseed, raw.

    33. ON THE RANGE OR IN THE FIELD. -- The carbine must be kept clean and free from dirt and properly lubricated with lubricating oil. To obtain its maximum efficiency the following points must be observed. (Refer to paragraphs 36 and 37).
     a. Never fire a carbine with any dust, dirt, mud, or snow in the bore.
     b. Keep the chamber clean and free from oil and dirt.
     c. Never leave a patch, plug, or other obstruction in the chamber or bore. Neglect of this precaution may result in serious injury.
     d. If the carbine gives indications of lack of lubrication and excessive friction, apply additional lubricating oil to the parts listed in 31 f. Excessive friction exists if the empty cases are being ejected to the right rear, and oil should be applied at the first opportunity as failures to feed and eject will occur if the condition is not corrected.
     e. Keep a light coating of oil on all other metal parts.
     f. Remove the carbon the gas cylinder and the piston head when necessary. (Sluggish action of carbine may indicate clogged piston).
     g. In general, it should not be necessary to remove any of the parts of the carbine in the field for cleaning, except to dismount the barrel, receiver and trigger housing group from the stock. Due to position of gas port, the gas cylinder and piston should not require cleaning often. However, if the mechanism becomes very dirty, the part groups may be removed from the carbine (paragraph 14) and the necessary cleaning and lubrication accomplished.
     h. During range firing, a selected and qualified man should be placed in charge of the cleaning of carbines at the cleaning racks or tables.

    34. PREPERATION OF CARBINES FOR STORAGE. -- a. OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, is the most suitable oil for preserving the mechanism of carbines. The oil is efficient for preserving the mechanism of carbines. This oil is efficient for preserving the polished surfaces, the bore, and the chamber for a period of from 2 to 6 weeks, dependent on the climatic and storage conditions. Carbines in short term storage should be inspected every five days and the preservative film renewed if necessary.
     b. COMPOUND, rust preventive, light, is a semisolid material. This compound is efficient for preserving the polished (metal) surfaces, the bore, and the chamber for a period of 1 year or less, dependent on the climatic and storage conditions.
     c. The carbines should be cleaned and prepared with particular care. The bore, all parts of the mechanism, and the exterior of the carbines should be thoroughly cleaned and then dried completely with rags. In damp climates, particular care must be taken to see that the rags are dry. After drying a metal part, the bare hands should not touch that part. All metal parts should then be coated either with OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, or rust preventive compound, depending on the length of storage. (See a and b above). Application of the rust preventative compound to the bore of the carbine is best done by dipping the cleaning brush in rust preventative compound and running it through the bore two or three times. (Cleaning brush must be clean). Before placing the carbine in the packing chest see that the bolt is its forward position and that the hammer is released. Then, handling the carbine by the stock and hand guard only, it should be placed in the packing chest, the wooden supports at the butt and muzzle having previously been painted with rust preventative compound. Under no circumstances should a carbine be placed in storage contained in a cloth or other cover or with a plug in the bore. Such articles collect moisture which causes the weapon to rust.

    35. CLEANING OF CARBINES AS RECIEVED FROM STORAGE. -- a. Carbines which have been stored in accordance with paragraph 34 will be coated with either OIL, lubricating, preservative, light,or COMPOUND, rust preventative, light. Carbines recieved from ordnance storage will, in general, be coated with heavy rust preventative compound. Use a light oil or SOLVENT, dry cleaning, to remove all traces of the compound, or oil, particular care being taken that all recesses in which springs or plungers operate are cleaned thoroughly. After using the dry cleaning solvent, make sure it is completely removed from all parts. Then follow instructions contained in paragraph 30. If the carbine is to be fired immediately, follow instructions contained in paragraph 31.
    NOTE: Failure to clean the firing pin and the recess in the bolt in which it operates may result in gun failure at normal temperatures, and will most certianly result in serious malfunctions if the carbines are operated at low temperature areas, as rust preventative compound and other foreign matter will cause the lubricating oil to congeal or frost on the mechanism.
     b. Dry cleaning solvent is a petroleum distillate, of low inflammability and noncorrosive, used for removing grease. It is generally applied with rag swabs to large parts and as a bath for small parts. The surfaces must be thoroughly dried immediately after removal of the solvent. To avoid leaving finger marks, which are ordinarily acid and induce corrosion, gloves should be worn by persons handling parts after such cleaning. Dry cleaning solvent will attack and discolor rubber.

    36. CARE AND CLEANING IN COLD CLIMATES. -- a. In temperatures below freezing, it is necessary that the moving parts of the carbine be kept absolutely free from moisture. It has been found that excess oil on the working parts will solidify to such an extent as to cause sluggish operation or complete failure.
     b. The metal parts of the carbine should be taken apart and completely cleaned with SOLVENT, dry cleaning, before use in temperatures below 0° F. The working surfaces of parts which show signs of wear may be lubricated by rubbing with an oiled cloth. At temperatures above 0° F, the carbine may be oiled lightly after cleaning by wiping with a slightly oiled cloth using OIL, lubricating, preservative, light.
     c. (1) Immediately upon bringing indoors, the carbine should be thoroughly oiled, using OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, because moisture condensing on the cold metal in a warm room will cause rusting. After the carbine has reached room temperature, it should be wiped free of condensed water vapor and oiled again.
     (2) If carbine has been fired, it should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled. The bore may be swabbed out with an oily patch and when the weapon reaches room temperature, thoroughly cleaned and oiled as prescribed in paragraph 32.
     (3) Before firing, the carbine should be cleaned and oil removed as prescribed in paragraph b above. The bore and chamber should be entirely free of oil before firing.

    37. CARE AND CLEANING IN HOT CLIMATES. -- a. Tropical climates. (1) In tropical climates where temperature and humidity are high, or where salt air is present, and during rainy seasons, the carbine should be thoroughly inspected at frequent intervals and kept lightly oiled when not in use. The groups should be dismounted at regular intervals and, if necessary, disassembled sufficiently to enable the drying and oiling of parts.
     (2) Care should be exercised to see that unexposed parts and surfaces are kept clean and oiled, such as the underside of the barrel, recoil plate recess, gas cylinder, piston, spring wells and like parts and surfaces.
     (3) In hot climates, OIL, Lubricating, preservative, light, should be used for lubrication.
     (4) Wood parts should also be inspected to see that swelling due to moisture does not bind working parts. (In such cases shave off wood only enough to relieve binding). A light coat of OIL, linseed, raw, applied at intervals and well rubbed in, withthe heel of the hand, will help to keep moisture out. Allow oil to soak in for a few hours and then wipe and polish wood with dry clean rag.
    NOTE: Care should be taken that linseed oil does not get into mechanism or on metal parts as it will gum up when dry. Stock and hand guard should be dismounted when oil is applied.
     b. Hot, dry climates. -- (1) In hot dry climates where sand and dust are apt to get into the mechanism and bore, the carbine should be wiped clean daily or oftener if necessary. Groups should be dismounted and disassembled as far as necessary to facilitate thorough cleaning.
     (2) Oiling and lubrication should be kept to a minimum, as oil will collect dust which will act as an abrasive on the working parts and foul the bore and chamber. OIL, lubricating, preservative, light, is best for lubrication where temperatures are high, and should be lightly applied only to surfaces of working parts showing signs of wear.
     (3) In such climates, wood parts are apt to dry out and shrink, and a light application of raw linseed oil applied as in subparagraph a (4) above, will help to keep wood in condition.
     (4) Perspiration from the hands is a contributing factor to rust on account of acid present in perspiration, and metal parts should be wiped dry frequently.
     (5) During sand or dust storms, breech and muzzle should be kept covered if possible.

    38. FIELD INSPECTION. -- The carbine should be inspected at intervals for operation and functioning. In such inspections, dummy cartridges should be used if available; use of live ammunition is prohibited.
     a. With dummy cartridges in the magazine, retract and release the operating slide, to load and eject the dummy cartridges. During the operation check the following points:
     (1) Smooth functioning of operating slide and bolt; they should reciprocate smoothly and easily, without undue looseness.
     (2) Conplete locking of bolt, and continued forward movement of the operating slide; the slide should continue to move forward about  5/16 inch after the bolt is fully locked.
     (3) Grip of extractor on cartridge and action of ejector; extractor should grip base of cartridge firmly and ejector throw it off the bolt as soon as cartridge is clear of reciever; if cartidge is not extracted or is carried to rear before ejection, extractor claw may be damaged, extractor plunger or spring broken or missing, or ejector spring weak or broken.
     (4) Position of cartridge in mouth of magazine; magazine follower should position cartridge in line with bolt and fully up against lips of magazine. If otherwise, the magazine spring may be weak or tube or follower dented or burred.
     (5) Engagement of sear with hammer; sear should engage with sear notch in hammer when bolt is about halfway retracted. A distinct click may be heard as sear slides forward into the sear notch in hammer under force of sear spring. The bolt should always be fully retracted to insure copmplete engagement and retention of sear. If click is not heard or trigger pull appears to be light or excessively heavy, the sear and sear notch in hammer should be examined for burs, foreign matter in the searnoch or weak or broken sear spring. Trigger pull should not be under 4 pounds nor over 6 pounds.
     b. Functioning of the parts given below should be checked as indicated.
     (1) Bolt. -- With operating slide assembled to bolt, and spring and guide disassembled from slide, reciprocate bolt by means of the operating slide handle. The bolt and slide should move freely in their guideways. The bolt will check slightly (with hammer cocked) as it rides over the hammer on its rearward movement. If binding of bolt and slide is apparent, disengage slide from bolt and operate individually to ascertain point of binding. Burs may occur in bolt, or operating slide guideways, on bolt locking shoulders in reciever, lugs of bolt or operating slide. Such burs should be removed (stoned to a polish) with a fine grained sharpening stone.
     (2) Trigger. -- Trigger should move forward under force of trigger spring when released from rearward position. If trigger does not move forward positively, trigger spring may be broken, disengaged, or bent.
     (3) Safety. -- Safety should block trigger when pushed fully to the right and release trigger when pushed fully to left.
     (4) Magazine catch. -- Magazine catch should return to position smartly when released after it is pressed to left to disengage from magazine. If action is sluggish, examine for burs, foreign matter or lack of lubrication.
     (5) Front band. -- Front band should be secured at all times, with screw drawn down snugly and locking spring engaged positively with front band lying behind nose of locking spring. If spring will not depress, look for foreign matter in stock aperature. If spring does not engage positively with front band, look for bent spring.
     (6) Rear Sight. -- Force of rear sight leaf spring should hold one segment of leaf upright at all times. If spring action is not positive, spring may be broken or foreign matter present under leaf or spring.
     (7) Recoil plate. -- Recoilplate should be snugly seated in its aperature and screw drawn down tightly. Looseness of recoilplate or reciever retaining lug in plate aperature will cause barrel and reciever group to become loose and eventually damage stock and/or reciever. Burs arising from improper positioning of lug in plate, when assembling, should be peened down before stoning so as not to reduce metal on lug.
     (8) Piston. -- Piston may reciprocate sluggishly due to excess carbon on piston head or in gas cylinder. Piston should reciprocate in gas cylinder and through piston nut (about ¼ inch) when barrel is shaken. The piston nut should be kept tight at all times.
    NOTE: If piston becomes "frozen" in gas cylinder, due to rust or carbon, soak with penetrating oil for about one hour, and then work loose and shake out. Loosening may be helped by working with a prick punch or similar tool through gas port hole in outside of gas cylinder. When removed, piston and gas cylinder should be thoroughly cleaned, oiled and examined for burs, and gas port examined for foreign matter.
     (9) Operating slide spring guide. -- Operating slide spring and guide should work freely in well in reciever. If binding is apparent, look for bent guide or foreign matter in well.
     (10) Operating slide. -- Operating slide should not become disengaged from reciever when reciprocated. If this happens, look for bent handle or excessively worn retaining lugs on operating slide body.
     (11) Operating slide stop. -- Operating slide stop is for the purpose of "hanging" the bolt in the open position. If stop spring becomes broken, stop may catch in retention aperature in reciever when slide reciprocates. If nose of stop or edge of retaining aperature becomes worn, stop is apt to slip and fail to hang bolt. In such a case stop or spring should be replaced and/or carbine sent to ordnance unit for repair.