(3) Take firing position.
(a) Take prone position, resting on the elbows. (b) Grasp pistol grip and trigger with right hand, pressing stock well into hollow of right shoulder. (c) Grasp outer elevating screw with left hand. (d) In case elevating gear is not used, left hand grasps stock to rear of receiver and pulls shoulder strap down solidly against shoulder.
(4) Cock gun.
(a) Throw cocking handle knob to left to a stop. (b) Draw cocking handle to rear as far as possible with a sharp quick movement. (c) Return cocking handle to its original position, and set at “R” for single shots, “A” for automatic and “S” for safety.
(5) Loading is ordinarily performed by a second operator, who takes the prone position to the right of gun, with ammunition conveniently at hand.
(a) Raise feed piece to its uppermost position by pushing up on its lower extremity with left hand, placing thumb on feed piece cover. (b) With right hand introduce a feed strip into guides, cartridge side down, and push home until the pawl catches.
N.B.—If gun is operated by but one man, loading will be found more convenient if the elevating mechanism is not used; the firer performs both operations of lifting the feed piece and introducing the strip with the right hand, the left hand meanwhile steadying the gun by grasping the stock.
(6) Firing.—The gun is fired by pulling the trigger.
(a) Single shots: Set cocking handle at “R” (repetition). One shot is fired each time trigger is pulled. (b) Automatic firing: Set cocking handle at “A” (automatic). If trigger is held back the entire strip of 30 rounds is fired automatically. (c) Volley firing: Set cocking handle at “A” (automatic). The trigger may be released after some 3, 5, or 10 rounds, as circumstances require, aim quickly altered and firing resumed, i.e., the strip of 30 rounds is fired in volleys, as required.
N.B.—The trigger must be released at the end of each strip, so that the sear will hold the piston at the cocked position during the introduction of the following strip. Otherwise, as soon as the feed piece is raised preparatory to loading the breech will close, necessitating recocking the gun before continuous firing.