Which of the following best describes the cycle of operations for the M249?

The cycle of operations for the M249 light machine gun is a critical sequence that describes how the weapon functions from the moment the trigger is pulled until it prepares for the next shot. The correct sequence encompasses several essential steps: firing, unlocking, extracting, ejecting, cocking, feeding, chambering, and locking.

First, during the firing stage, a round is discharged upon pulling the trigger. This initiates the mechanical operations of the weapon. Next, unlocking occurs as the bolt moves to disengage from the barrel extension due to the rearward force generated when the round is fired. Following this, the extractor removes the spent casing from the chamber, which is done during the extracting phase. The ejection phase then occurs, where the empty casing is expelled from the weapon, allowing the next round to be loaded into the chamber.

After ejection, the cocking mechanism prepares the gun for the next shot. This leads to the feeding process, where a new round is introduced into the chamber from the ammunition belt. Finally, in the chambering phase, the bolt moves forward to secure the new round in place, followed by locking, where the bolt locks into the barrel extension, readying the firearm for another shot.

Understanding this cycle is crucial