Weapon Handling Test

Before being allowed to fire the L98A2, all cadets and instructors must pass the weapons handling test to prove their competency with the rifle, and at dealing with the variety of problems that might occur.

Test 1: Safety

The cadet is given a rifle, loaded with an empty magazine, with the safety catch to "Fire", lying on the ground.

"Pick up the weapon"

• Pick up the rifle, pointed in a safe direction
• Safety catch to "Safe"
• Unload

"Hand over the weapon"

• Point the rifle in a safe direction
• Safety catch to "Safe"
• Inspect chamber
• Show clear
• "This weapon is clear"
• Hand over weapon

Test 2: Stripping and cleaning

The cadet is given a rifle with the sling fitted, a cleaning kit, and a supply of flannelette.

"Strip the rifle"

"Answer or demonstrate the following" (choice of 3)

• Cleaning the barrel using the cleaning rod
• Cleaning the barrel using the pull through
• What is the maximum flannelette site that can be used to clean or lubricate the bore?
• How would you remove fouling or debris from the chamber?
• Examine the barrel for cleanliness.
• When should the magazine be stripped?
• Strip and reassemble the magazine?

"Reassemble the rifle and refit the sling"

Test 3: Magazine filling

The cadet should be provided with one magazine and 10 loose drill rounds.

"Fill 10 rounds"

"Empty the magazine"

Test 4: Load in prone position

The cadet should be provided with one rifle, with the sling fitted, and two magazines with two drill rounds.

"Adopt the prone position."

"With a magazine of 2 rounds, load."

• Load

"Ready"

Test 5: Make safe

As for test 4.

"With a magazine of 2 rounds, make safe"

"Ready"

"Ten rounds, in your own time, go on"

Test 6: Stoppages

As for test 4.

Test 7: Unload

"Unload"

• Unload
• Stand up, recover ejected rounds, clean and replace magazine.