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Originally Posted by Cyclops
Gentleman,After that the weapon mis-fired every other round. I wanted to take that M107 and throw it in a ditch with an incendiary grenade. We learned the limitations of that particular weapon system early and I didn't really use it again unless we were overwatching a TCP and were planning on using it for stopping vehicles at 500m or so. It is also important to note that it was our experience that the API and Mk211 Mod 0 is very corrosive and if you don't scrub the shit out of your chamber/barrell every 10-20 rds or so you will get malfunctions (like I experienced). The army does need to provide snipers with a better cleaning kit for the M107, the half Otis half USGI kit wasn't cutting it. The real weak link was lack of solvents strong enough to break down the build up associated with the .50 ammo.
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Cyclops:
Sounds familiar. Having seen enough new 107s being fired for the first time or with under 100 rounds through a barrel, I have noted that two of ten will probably do what yours did. Fire a few shots then fail to extract or feed. Believe it or not, the 107 is more reliable than the older Barretts.
The accuracy is unchanged. Poor to mediocre. I group M-107s with the guys using Mk-211 at 300 yards known distance and measure groups. About 3 MOA with the Mk-211. About 4 with M-8 API and 4 plus with M-2 Ball. Have done this over enough years to believe my statistics.
That M-8 API that seems to be the norm these days was made between the late 40's and mid 50's from what I can tell. Not positive if the primers are corrosive as during WWII most of the large bore ammo used non corrosive primers. The powder is really no different than the very slow burning extruded powders used today, except that it is sixty years old and that is pretty old for powder of any sort. Powder decays over time. No one is really sure what its rate of decay is, but ammo that old is probably evaluated constantly by the Army. For a while the Army stopped use of that M-8 API with barrets out of fear of high pressures due to powder decay. That has been lifted.
Talking with some guys out of Benning, it seems the old M-8 API round may have some decay in terms of its incendary compound. The guys at Benning have told me that at times the M-8 kind of fizzles as it heads down range, particularly when used in the heat of the summer. I haven't experienced this but Lewis is a whole bunch cooler and dryer than Benning.
I view the Barret as a man-portable, semi automatic, M-2 Browning in terms of maintenance and use. So I tell guys to clean them as if they were a issued service rifle instead of what the 107 isn't (a precision rifle). No need for any fancy cleaning gear with the Barret. GI sectional .50 cal rod with GI brushes will be as good as anything else. RBC and CLP is fine. Using Shooters Choice or Hoppes Bench Rest solvent is a waste of money on a Barret.
If you think you are using corrosive primers, buy some Sweets 7.62 copper remover or just carry a small bottle of household ammonia with you. Windex with ammonia also works. When you got the crud out of the barrel and bolt face, clean it using some ammonia of some sort. Hose off with carb cleaner, dry, and a light coat of lube if you are in an area prone to rust. Ammonia neutralizes the effects of mecuric primers but you really must get the rifle clean quickly after firing with that type of ammo.
Gene
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