Australian F88 'Clear Weapon Drills'

[1feral1]

Bringing a bull-pup into service had it's growing pains in regards to traditional unloading drills from the L1A1 SLR. Although not first done in F88 doctrine, after several NDs/UDs, and finally a death while deployed in the early 90's, the ADF adopted this method of clearing your weapon. It was in fact overkill, and a pain, causing unnecessary wear/tear over time, to the front of the alloy receiver as the barrel would hit the front while being inserted into the receiver. So much that a RAEME fix was incorporated using a file and black primer etch to touch up weapons while going thru their ATIs. The NZDF never bothered with the Australian method of clearing the F88, sticking to the traditional unload/clear method.

Before the EF88 came into service, this doctrine was changed back to the traditional method to prepare for the EF88 coming into service, as the EF88 though an hybrid 'AUG', had a design change which the barrel was no longer removable.

 

[enbloc8]

I assume one can't see the end of the chamber from the ejection port?

 

[1feral1]

I assume one can't see the end of the chamber from the ejection port?

You can, but it is not as easy as a standard rifle. This change of doctrine was a knee-jerk reaction. ND's/UD's still caused deaths after the fact.

 

[raubvogel]

Before the EF88 came into service, this doctrine was changed back to the traditional method to prepare for the EF88 coming into service, as the EF88 though an hybrid 'AUG', had a design change which the barrel was no longer removable.

I was not aware of that. WTF?

 

[1feral1]

Yup, WTF indeed.

 

[Andy the Aussie]

This barrel issue was a carch 22 event. The continued removal and replacement of the barrel accelerated wear on the receiver but the issue was doctrine not design.

I remember one of the UDs well, as I recall the cocking handle was ridden forward so that the bolt didn't lock up, then the round did not discharge and the IA drill saw the shooter rack and release the cocking handle (properly) and the incoming round discharge the round still in the chamber...

 

[moonbat60]

This barrel issue was a carch 22 event. The continued removal and replacement of the barrel accelerated wear on the receiver but the issue was doctrine not design.

I remember one of the UDs well, as I recall the cocking handle was ridden forward so that the bolt didn't lock up, then the round did not discharge and the IA drill saw the shooter rack and release the cocking handle (properly) and the incoming round discharge the round still in the chamber...

......the results of which I would not like to see.

 

[NZ L1A1 Collector]

The first major exercise we had in New Zealand with the Steyr AUG A1 was Exercise Golden Fleece in 1988 IIRC. This was the first large deployment of the AUG. There were dozens of UDs all over the place even though the correct drills were being done (Cock, Hook, Look) The problem was the use of black plastic blank. For some reason it wouldn't eject when cocked and when looked into the rear of the ejection port you couldn't see the black plastic blank. You release the working parts, squeezed the trigger BANG. Another to the orderly room on charge. With the soldier pleading that there wasn't anything there. The solution for us was to still Cock, Hook, Look.... and Feel. We would then run our trigger and middle finger forward and backwards through the ejection port feeling for any ammunition. The system also changed and we never used black plastic blank again, it was replaced with brass, which was easier to see.

 

[C2A1]

AUG had issues not ejecting polymer cased ammo also. It worked just fine in M16/4, FNCs and AR-70 rifles but for some some reason not the AUG.