There have been some questions from the field about shipping weapons. Here’s what you need to know for your weapons to arrive at their destination ready for use:
Clean
The first step is to make sure the weapons are thoroughly cleaned before packing them for shipment. Always follow the cleaning instructions in the -10 TM and
don’t ever steam clean weapons!
Lubricate
Make sure to use a generous amount of CLP on the inside and outside of all weapons
except the MK19. Check out the table below for the MK19’s lubricant.
Wrap
Never use bubble wrap! Bubble wrap traps in moisture and can cause corrosion.
Use volatile corrosion inhibitor (VCI) barrier paper to wrap each weapon. One side of the barrier paper has a coating that helps keep the lubricant in. Place the weapon on this side and then just fold the barrier paper and tape the seams. The barrier can also be heat sealed but it’s not necessary. You can also goose neck (pull the ends together and twist) the barrier and tie it off.
Pack
Place the wrapped weapons in the box. If the weapons need to be layered, put at least one sheet of greaseproof paper between each layer. The best way to layer is to sandwich a sheet of corrugated fiberboard between two sheets of greaseproof paper. Make sure there’s no room for the weapons to shift during transport. Finally, add a desiccant pouch to the weather-resistant fiberboard box or hard container.
Here are the materials you’ll need:
Preservatives
| Item |
Used on |
Size |
NSN |
| MIL-PRF-16173, grade 3 cut 50% with mineral spirits |
MK 19 |
1 gal |
8030-00-244-1296 |
| MIL-PRF-16173 (see above) |
MK 19 |
5 gal |
8030-00-244-1293 |
| MIL-PRF-3150 |
MK 19 |
1 qt |
9150-00-231-2361 |
| MIL-PRF-3150 |
MK 19 |
5 gal |
9150-00-231-2356 |
| MIL-PRF-32033 (used only with VCI) |
MK 19 |
1 qt |
9150-00-231-6689 |
| General purpose lubricating oil |
M2,
MK 19 |
5 gal |
9150-00-231-9062 |
Wrap (used on all weapons)
| Item |
Length |
NSN |
| VCI, greaseproof |
36-in x 600-ft |
8135-00-664-0015 |
| Stretchable wrap, non-VCI, greaseproof |
3-in x 300-ft roll |
8135-00-753-4661 |
| Desiccant pouches |
1 per cubic foot inside the wrap |
6850-00-856-7955 |
| Greaseproof paper (heavy duty) |
3 ft x 300 ft |
8135-00-753-4661 |
| Greaseproof paper (medium duty) |
3 ft x 600 ft |
8135-00-233-3871 |
| Greaseproof paper (light duty) |
3 ft x 600 ft |
8135-00-224-8885 |
Weather-Resistant Fiberboard Boxes
| Weapon |
Size (inches) |
NSN |
| MK 19 |
32 in x 15 in x 15 in |
8115-00-079-8989 |
| M2 |
38 in x 14 in x 20 in |
8115-00-579-8461 |
| M16, M4, M249, M240 |
47 in x 39 in x 16 in |
8115-00-142-9594 |
Check the weapon’s -10 TM to see if the sight is radioactive. If it is, the weapon
must be shipped in accordance with appropriate regulations. Contact the radiation safety officer (RSO) and transportation officer to coordinate the shipment of these weapons.