Weapons Lane
W1

M4/M16 RIFLE + GRENADE LAUNCHER

30 sec (rifle) 20 sec (grenade launcher)

Conditions: You are a member of a team conducting combat operations. You have a stoppage while engaging targets with your M4/M16.

Understanding This Task

The M4 carbine and M16 rifle are the standard individual weapons for every Soldier. This task tests your ability to clear, load, fire, handle a stoppage, and clear the weapon — all in 30 seconds.

Immediate Action (Tap-Pull-Reassess): Your weapon stopped firing. Without diagnosing the problem:

  1. TAP the magazine firmly
  2. PULL the charging handle fully and release
  3. REASSESS — attempt to fire again

Functions Check: After reassembly, confirms the weapon is mechanically operational — fires on SEMI, safety engages correctly.

This is also the Final Event — performed after the 12-mile foot march when fatigue is at its peak.

Common NO-GO Mistakes

  • Riding the bolt forward instead of letting it slam home
  • Forgetting to tap the forward assist after chambering
  • Wrong sequence: pulling before tapping
  • Not placing on SAFE before clearing
  • Not closing the ejection port cover as the final step
  • Exceeding the 30-second time standard

Starting Configuration

Weapon: Free of ammunition, bolt forward, on FIRE, trigger pulled.

Equipment: M4/M16 with blank adaptor and sling. Magazine loaded with 4 blank rounds + 1 inert round. Candidate at low ready.

Task Basis: 071-COM-0028, 071-COM-0027, 071-COM-0030

Video Resources

Introduction to the M4 Carbine — Army ROTC

Basic introduction to the M4 carbine: parts, terminology, and handling for those new to the platform.

M4 Disassembly, Reassembly & Functions Check
Official U.S. Army video on DVIDS — full walkthrough.
Part I Timer: 30 Seconds
0:30
Critical Notes
  • Immediate action = Tap-Pull-Reassess. This exact sequence is graded.
  • Do NOT ride the bolt forward when chambering a round.
  • All steps must be completed in 30 seconds for Part I.

PART I: PERFORMANCE MEASURES

0/5 GO
  1. 1

    Clear the weapon

    • Keep weapon pointed in safe direction. Attempt to place on SAFE.
    • Lock the bolt to the rear — pull charging handle rearward, press bottom of bolt catch.
    • Allow bolt to engage bolt catch. Return charging handle forward.
    • Ensure receiver and chamber are free of ammunition. Place on SAFE.
  2. 2

    Load the weapon

    • Insert magazine and push upward until magazine catch engages.
    • Tap upward on bottom of magazine to ensure it is seated.
    • Chamber a round — press upper portion of bolt catch. Do NOT ride the bolt forward.
    • Tap forward assist to ensure bolt is fully forward and locked.
  3. 3

    Engage the target

    • Place weapon on SEMI and begin engaging your target.
  4. 4

    Perform immediate action (Tap-Pull-Reassess) CRITICAL

    • Remove trigger finger from trigger — straight and pressed along frame.
    • TAP: Tap the bottom of the magazine firmly.
    • PULL: Rapidly pull charging handle and release to extract/eject and chamber new round.
    • REASSESS: Continue shot process. If weapon does not fire, proceed to clear.
  5. 5

    Clear the weapon (final)

    • Point weapon in safe direction. Attempt to place on SAFE. Remove magazine.
    • Lock bolt open. Pull charging handle rearward, press bolt catch.
    • Ensure receiver and chamber are free of ammo.
    • Return bolt to closed position: press upper bolt catch, place on SEMI, pull trigger.
    • Close the ejection port cover.

PART II: GRENADE LAUNCHER

Part II Timer: 20 Seconds
0:20

Option I: M320 Grenade Launcher

Task Basis: 071-031-0002, 071-031-0003  |  Starting config: Weapon at low ready, grenade in pouch.

  1. 1

    Load the weapon

    • Point weapon safe direction. Ensure on SAFE.
    • Remove muzzle cap. Press barrel release, pivot barrel out.
    • Insert cartridge into barrel, ensure fully seated.
    • Pivot barrel into receiver until locking lever engages (audible click).
  2. 2

    Engage the target

    • Place weapon on FIRE. Engage target.
  3. 3

    Unload and clear

    • Keep weapon pointed safe direction, finger outside trigger guard.
    • Place on SAFE. Press barrel release, pivot barrel out.
    • Inspect barrel. Grasp rim of round, pull rearward to remove.
    • Dispose per SOP. Pivot barrel closed. Ensure on SAFE.

Option II: M203 Grenade Launcher

Task Basis: 071-COM-2127, 071-COM-2128

  1. 1

    Clear, load, and fire

    • Point weapon safe direction. Ensure safety in SAFE position.
    • Depress barrel latch. Slide barrel assembly forward.
    • Ensure bore and chamber are clear. Insert single round.
    • Slide barrel closed until it locks (audible click).
    • Place on FIRE. Engage target.
  2. 2

    Unload and clear

    • Point muzzle safe direction. Attempt to place on SAFE.
    • Depress barrel latch, slowly slide barrel forward, grasp round.
    • Secure round in pouch. Close barrel. Place on SAFE.
All Weapons Tasks W2: M249 SAW