When there is a cartridge in the chamber the piece is always carried locked.  In this position the safety lock should be kept turned fully to the right, since if it be turned to the left nearly to the “ready” position and the trigger be pulled, the rifle will be discharged when the safety lock is turned to the “ready” position at any time later on.

Cartridges can not be loaded from the magazine unless the bolt is drawn fully to the rear.  When the bolt is closed, or only partly open, the cut-off may be turned up or down as desired, but if the bolt is drawn fully to the rear, the magazine can not be cut off unless the top cartridge or the follower be pressed down slightly and the bolt be pushed forward so that the cut-off may be turned “off.”

In the case of a misfire, don’t open the bolt immediately, as it may be a hangfire.  Misfires are often due to the fact that the bolt handle was not fully pressed down.  Sometimes in pulling the trigger the soldier raises the bolt handle without knowing it.

Unless otherwise ordered, arms will be unloaded before being taken to quarters or tents, or as soon as the men using them are relieved from duty.

Keep the working parts oiled.

In every company there should be at least one copy of the Manual of the Ordnance Department entitled “Description and Rules for the Management of the U. S, Magazine Rifle.”  This manual gives the name and a cut of every part of the rifle, explains its use, shows how to take the rifle apart and care for the same, and also gives much other valuable and interesting information.

SECTION 3.  CLEANING THE RIFLE.

“Cleaning the rifle,—­(a) The proper care of the bore requires conscientious, careful work, but it pays well in the attainment of reduced labor of cleaning, prolonged accuracy life of the barrel, and better results in target practice.  Briefly stated, the care of the bore consists in removing the fouling, resulting from firing, to obtain a chemically clean surface, and in coating this surface with a film of oil to prevent rusting.  The fouling which results from firing is of two kinds—­one, the products of combustion of the powder; the other, cupro-nickel scraped off (under the abrading action of irregularities or grit in the bore).  Powder fouling, because of its acid reaction, is highly corrosive; that is, it will induce rust and must be removed.  Metal fouling of itself is inactive, but may cover powder fouling and prevent the action of cleaning agents until removed, and when accumulated in noticeable quantities it reduces the accuracy of the rifle.

(b) Powder fouling may be readily removed by scrubbing with hot soda solution, but this solution has no effect on the metal fouling of cupro-nickel.  It is necessary, therefore, to remove all metal fouling before assurance can be had that all powder fouling, has been removed and that the bore may be safely oiled.  Normally, after firing a barrel in good condition the metal fouling is so slight as to be hardly perceptible.  It is merely a smear of infinitesimal thickness, easily removed by solvents of cupro-nickel.  However, due to pitting, the presence of dust, other abrasives, or to accumulation, metal fouling may occur in clearly visible flakes or patches of much greater thickness, much more difficult to remove.