BMG Timing - The War Wagon

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Project .50/.50 -/- The War Wagon

M2 Caliber .50 BMG Timing

Warning: The following information is provide for reference use only. Proper Training as well as the appropriate Technical Manuals are required to operate this or any weapon system that you are unfamiliar with. Gun Safety is you responsibility.

Note: Due to the maximum range of this weapon (over 2 miles) special safeguards and control measures need to be planned and applied. Range selection is critical. Proper Gun Safety is your responsibility.

Max Range = 7,440 YARDS = 2.35 Miles or 6,765 METERS = 6.75 Km!

TIMING: Timing is the adjustment of the gun so that firing takes place when the recoiling parts are in the correct position for firing.

Setting Timing

Step 1. Check headspace first as previously described.

Step 2. Pull the bolt to the rear with the retracting slide handle and then ease bolt forward to cock the machine gun.

Step 3. Grasp the retracting slide handle and retract the bolt just enough (1116 inch) to insert the no fire gage between the barrel extension and the trunnion block. Release the retracting slide handle slowly.

Note: Insert timing gage with bevel against barrel notches.

Step 4. Depress the trigger. Gun should not fire.

Note: if the gun does not fire, go to step 5. If the gun does fire, you have early timing. Go on to steps 7 through 14.

Step 5. Grasp the retracting slide handle and retract the bolt just enough to remove the no fire gage and insert the fire gage between the barrel extension and the trunnion block. Release the retracting slide handle slowly.

Step 6. Depress the trigger. Gun should fire. If it does, timing adjustment is now complete.

Note: if the gun does not fire, you late timing. Go to steps 7 'through 14.

Step 7. Remove the gage, cock the gun, return the bolt forward as before.

Step 8. Remove the backplate.

Step 9. Screw the timing adjustment nut all the way down (to the left).
Step 10. Insert the fire gage. Warning: never cock the gun with the backplate off.

Step 11. Try to fire the gun by pushing up on the rear of the trigger bar. Gun should not fire.

Step 12. Screw the timing adjustment nut up (to the right) one click at a time. Push up on the trigger bar after each click. Keep doing this until the gun fires.

Step 13. Turn the timing adjustment nut n more than two more clicks up (to the right}.
Step 14. Remove the gage, replace the backplate, and pull the bolt to the rear to cock the machine gun. Ease the bolt forward with the charging handle. Do not allow the bolt to slam forward unassisted.

Step 15. Recheck the timing with the go/no go gage twice after the backplate is installed to insure that the setting is correct.

USING FIELD EXPEDIENT METHODS

When a GO/NO GO gage is not available, you can still set the headspace and timing, using field expedient methods.

To set timing:
Use one dog tag, or one new dime as a FIRE gage. Use one nickel and one dime or four dog tags, as a NO FIRE gage. Set the timing using the normal procedure.

To check for correct settings:
Attempt to fire the weapon. If it fires sluggishly, unscrew the barrel one more notch. Recheck the rate of fire, unscrewing the barrel one notch at a time until normal fire is achieved. Do not unscrew the barrel more than one notch between test firings.

Max Range = 7,440 YARDS = 2.35 Miles or 6,765 METERS = 6.75 Km!

Back To: More on the Caliber .50 BMG

Ammunition Info & Ballistics Charts M2 BMG Operation M2 BMG Headspace M2 BMG Timing

Project .50/.50 -/- The War Wagon