This comes up here from time to time, so I am going to dissiminate the official word that just came out.
The short answer is no custom parts - upper, hand grips, lasers for the M9 pistol, buttstocks, m4 uppers on a m16 lower, modifying to full auto, spraypainting, or anything else that changes any part of the gun is authorized. The unit may be required to pay to return the equipment to original form.
If you want to read it in offeeshul form, here you go. I have edited out contact information from the document.
If any clarification is necessary, post here and I'll get official word.
Cross posted at .us and wethearmed.com
The short answer is no custom parts - upper, hand grips, lasers for the M9 pistol, buttstocks, m4 uppers on a m16 lower, modifying to full auto, spraypainting, or anything else that changes any part of the gun is authorized. The unit may be required to pay to return the equipment to original form.
If you want to read it in offeeshul form, here you go. I have edited out contact information from the document.
Subject: Unauthorized Modifications, Items Affected: M16A2 Rifle, M16A4 Rifle, M4 Carbine, M4A1 Carbine, M240 Machine Gun (MG), M240B Machine Gun, M9 Pistol,
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
X "ATTENTION" X
X THIS MESSAGE CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT IS VITAL X
X TO THE SAFETY OF ARMY PERSONNEL AND THE OPERATION X
X OR MAINTENANCE OF ARMY EQUIPMENT. X
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
References:
a. AR 750-10, Army Modification Program, 8 August 2000.
b. Interim Policy on Capabilities Request Submissions to HQDA, 7 April 2005.
c. Unauthorized Modifications, Items Affected:
M16A2 Rifle, M16A4 Rifle, M4 Carbine, M4A1 Carbine, M240 Machine Gun (MG), M240B Machine Gun, M9 Pistol.
1. Distribution: [removed]
2. Problem:
a. Summary of Problem: Commanders are allowing various unauthorized modifications of M16A2/M16A4 Rifles, M4/M4A1 Carbines, M240/M240B Machine Guns, and M9 Pistols.
b. Background Information: During recent months, there have been an increasing number of reports of unauthorized modifications to rifles, carbines, M240 Machine Guns, and M9 Pistols. Some of these modifications increase the potential injury to personnel.
c. The language set forth in AR 750-10, chapter 3, paragraph 3-1.e, states:
"No Modification Work Order (MWO) is authorized for application unless it has an approved MWO number that is the product of the MWO process in paragraph 4-2. Commanders will not allow their equipment to be modified unless there is an official MWO."
d. These are examples of some but not all unauthorized modifications:
(1) One of the most common examples is unauthorized unit conversion from M16A2 Rifle to M4 Carbine. Action such as installing an M4 Carbine butt stock on an M16A2 Rifle or converting from burst to fully automatic is unauthorized and will cause increased stoppages, malfunctions, or possible safety incidents.
(2) Another example is the use of ergonomic pistol grips or silencers.
These are not authorized since testing / evaluation to identify acceptable alternative pistol grips or silencers for Army approval has not been done.
(3) Another example is the unauthorized modification of the basic M240 MG (coaxial variant) to the M240B (Dismounted Infantry) configuration by adding and removing components.
(4) Also, of note, is the modification of M9 Pistols by installing various off-the-shelf aiming lasers. The use of such lasers may involve the replacement of standard weapon components with non-standard components, resulting in an unauthorized modification of the pistol.
(5) A modification frequently reported is the painting of various small arms weapons, including those discussed above. Painting a weapon increases the risk of malfunctions caused by paint interfering with the moving parts of the weapon. Painting also increases the potential for infrared identification of the user. Removal of paint to return a weapon to -10 -20 standards often results in the protective surface finish being ruined, possibly resulting in a weapon that needs to be coded out for turn in.
(6) There is no approved Modification Work Order (MWO) for converting M16s to M4s nor is there one to convert the M240 to the M240B. No MWO has been issued authorizing the use of off-the-shelf aiming lasers with the M9 pistol. Similarly, there are no MWOs authorizing the painting of weapons.
e. Expected results of unauthorized modification:
WARNING
Unauthorized modifications to small arms weapons may cause damage to the weapon and/or death/injury to the operator. Combat readiness and reliability may be reduced, causing the weapon to become unavailable in critical situations because of stoppages, malfunctions, or the weapon becoming non-operational. To avoid these issues, weapons should not be modified.
3. User Actions:
a. Inspection Procedures: Weapons shall be inspected as per the applicable technical manual to ensure the weapon is fully mission capable.
b. Corrective Procedures: Any rifle, carbine, machine gun, or pistol that has an unauthorized modification applied shall be converted back to the original configuration with the appropriate original or replacement/repair parts as listed in applicable technical manuals. Painted weapons shall have the paint removed to the extent possible short of ruining the protective surface finish.
4. [removed]
5. Supply Status: Any requisitioned items needed to configure weapons back to standard/original configurations shall be done so at the unit's expense.
If any clarification is necessary, post here and I'll get official word.
Cross posted at .us and wethearmed.com
