Helmet/rail mount savers.

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Dear Editor,

We repair sights for the Ft Leonard Wood DOL. By far, our two biggest problems are with the helmet mount for the AN/PVS-14 night sight and the sight mount for the rail system on the M16 rifle, M4 carbine and M249 machine gun. Soldiers break the mounts because they forget these rules:

AN/PVS-14 mount--First, unscrew the mount bracket locking knob before you try to adjust it. If you don't, the pin that holds the bracket in place will shear off. Also, some Soldiers try to tighten the bracket with pliers or a pocket tool. That ruins the bracket.

To adjust the bracket, back the locking knob all the way out. Then push in the knob to adjust the bracket. Once you have the bracket in the position you want, tighten the knob finger tight. Don't force it tighter. You'll break it.

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Rail system sight mount--It's the opposite problem with this mount. Soldiers unscrew the mount's locking knob too far back and that shears the stem off the knob. Unscrew the knob until you feel resistance, then stop. You should be able to remove the mount from the rail system. If you can't, tell your armorer. Don't try to force the mount off. That can break it.

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Mr. J.Y. DOL, Ft Leonard Wood, MO

Editor's note: We hope Soldiers sight in on your sight mount suggestions. They will save a good sight of mounts.