CMP As-Issued Military Rifle
Clinics and Matches
RIFLE INSPECTION CHECKLIST
When CMP-sanctioned Rifle Clinics or As-Issued Military Rifle Matches are
attended by large numbers of new and inexperienced shooters, the CMP
recommends that the host shooting club set up a rifle inspection station where all rifles brought to the range to be fired in the clinic or match can be inspected.
The inspection steps recommended in this “Rifle Inspection Checklist” will help to detect many rifles that are not safe to fire. Specially trained armorers or gunsmiths are not required to complete these simple inspection steps, although it is recommended that the inspectors be experienced in handling As-Issued Military Rifles. Inspectors should follow these inspection steps:
STEP 1 -- CLEAR THE RIFLE
When receiving a rifle from a competitor (or anyone for that matter) keep the
muzzle pointed in a safe direction while you verify that the bolt is open, the
chamber is clear and the magazine is empty.
STEP 2 -- CHECK THE RIFLE’S TRIGGER PULL WEIGHT
This ensures that the trigger meets minimum trigger pull weight requirements. A light trigger pull may also be a sign of an improper trigger job. Cocked triggers on As-Issued Military Rifles must be capable of lifting the following minimum weights:
• Semiautomatic rifles----4 ½ lb minimum
These include the MI Garand, M14/M1A, M16/AR and M1 Carbine. The
only exception to this is the 1941 Johnson that has a minimum trigger pull
of 3 1/2 lbs.
• Bolt action and straight pull rifles----3 ½ lb minimum
These include the U. S. Krag, 1903 Springfield, 1917 Enfield, Swiss K31
and Swedish Mauser M96 as well as many others.
The process of checking trigger weights should follow this guideline:
1. Once the rifle is confirmed to be unloaded, manually close the bolt on an
empty chamber.
2. Verify that the rifle’s safety is in the “off” position.
3. Hold the rifle in a vertical position, with the muzzle up. Hold the rifle above
a trigger weight with the correct amount of weight on it. Engage the rifle’s
trigger with the trigger weight hook. Note: Minimum trigger weight should
be checked with a weight set like Brownell’s Universal Trigger Weight
System (Stock# 678-650-000AE).
4. Slowly raise the rifle until the trigger slack is completely taken up.
Continue to raise the rifle until the trigger weight is lifted off of the ground.
The trigger must lift and hold the weight to pass the test.
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5. If the rifle fails to lift and hold the weight it should NOT be fired in the
match due to safety concerns. Note: If a qualified armorer or gunsmith is
available, the trigger may be adjusted and reweighed. Unqualified
personnel should not attempt to make trigger adjustments.
STEP 3 -- CHECK FOR A TWO-STAGE TRIGGER
• Almost all older military rifles, particularly semiautomatics, have two-stage
triggers.
• A two-stage trigger can be identified by feel. When you apply pressure to
the trigger you will feel initial movement or “take up” (this is the first stage).
You will then come to a point of increased resistance where you have to
press harder to cause the trigger to release the hammer or striker.
• A single stage trigger only has only one step or pressure level to
overcome.
• If a rifle does not have a two-stage trigger, this can be a sign that
something is broken or missing or that a bad trigger job was done on the
rifle. Such a rifle could be dangerous and should NOT be fired in the
match.
STEP 4 -- CHECK SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLES FOR PROPER
DISCONNECTOR OPERATION
The purpose of this inspection step is to minimize the likelihood of unintended
multiple rounds being fired with the single pull of the trigger. Semiautomatic rifles use a disconnector to do this. The disconnector is a device that prevents the continued firing of the gun while the trigger remains depressed. The disconnector holds the gun at full cock as long as the trigger is held back. To check for proper disconnector operation in a semiautomatic rifle:
1. Keep the rifle pointed in a safe direction.
2. Verify that the rifle is unloaded and place the safety in the “off” position.
3. Close the bolt.
4. Pull the trigger and hold the trigger to the rear without releasing it.
5. Open the bolt to reset the hammer (while continuing to hold the trigger to
the rear), then close the bolt.
6. Release the trigger (listen for the disconnect click), then pull the trigger
again, the hammer should drop if the disconnector is working properly.
7. If you hear the click and the hammer drops when you pull the trigger, it
passes the test.
8. If you did not hear the click and the hammer does not drop when you pull
the trigger (because it has already followed the bolt forward), the
CMP Rifle Clinic Rifle Inspection Checklist Update: 8Oct11, Page 3
disconnect function Is not working correctly and the rifle should NOT be
fired in the match.
Note: CMP Staff finds 15 to 20 rifles every year at the National Matches that
fail this test. These competitors often decided the night before the match to
adjust their trigger or do a “trigger job” on it. In the process they caused their rifle to be left in an unsafe condition. Others simply had a part break or wear out that caused this condition.
Step 5 -- General Visual Inspection
The purpose of this last inspection step is to detect obvious problems where the competitor may not realize the rifle violates certain rules or where there are other safety concerns. A minimum list of things this check should cover is as follows:
• Safety Compliance: Are there any issues with the rifle’s condition that
might create a safety concern?
• Rule Compliance: Does the rifle meet the requirements for competing in
the match to be fired?
• Bore Obstructions: Verify that the bore is clear and unobstructed (no
grease, patches or other objects)
• Correct Ammunition: Verify that the chambering of the rifle and the
ammo intended for use in it are compatible.
Step 6 – Empty Chamber Indicators (ECIs)
• If the rifle did not come to the
inspection station with an ECI in it,
issue an ECI and explain how it is
used to confirm that the action is
open and the chamber is empty.
• Explain that the ECI must remain in
the rifle at all times except when
the rifle is on the firing line and the
Range Officer has authorized the
removal of ECIs during preparation
or firing periods.
• CMP Rule 5.5.1. Empty Chamber
Indicators (ECIs) must be placed in all rifles and pistol when they are
brought onto a range. ECIs must remain in the rifles or pistol at all
times, except during preparation and firing periods.
