Beginner's Guide ... Loading Marushin's 5.56mm M16/XM177 cartridges

LOADING MARUSHIN 5.56mm M16/XM177 Cartridges




Your modelgun will only function correctly if your cartridges are prepared and loaded correctly.
This is intended as a Step by Step how to achieve this.

This method of loading uses 2 caps, one at 7mm dia plus 1 at 5mm dia. This is not the only method, however, for this particular cartridge. Not all model gun owners will use this method and it's been the subject of debate for quite some time!
Another method uses a "Dead Cap" as an additional gas seal making the 5mm cap unneccesary but as I'm not familiar with it myself, hopefully another forum member can add that method as an additional post.

So, here we go with the Double Cap method:-

Step 1.

Prepare the tools you'll need, Loading Stick, Cotton Bud (Q-Tip) and the Mascara Brush.



Note that Marushin supply a specific loading tool for this cartridge due to it's length. Make sure you've the correct one.
These Mascara brushes are available from Make Up counters in stores like Debenhams to be used by women sampling different products. Get your Wife, Girlfriend or Mother, or just bite that bullet and go in yourself and get some as they're Free

The all important caps, these are Marushin's 7mm and 5mm versions



Silicone or Lithium grease



Step 2

Dismantle the cartridge into it's 3 component parts, Case, Dished Washer and End Cap



Step 3.

Brush the inside of the cartridge case with the Mascara brush to make sure it's absolutely clean



Dip the Cotton Bud in a little WD40 or Silicone Oil and lightly smear inside the cartridge. This gives a little more lubrication but also adds a little more smoke effect when it fires...



Step 4.

Drop the Dished Washer into the cartridge, making sure the Flat end faces you as shown...



Step 5.

Smear a little grease, this much should be plenty, onto the outside edge of the 7mm cap...



and place it into the cartridge, powder charge facing towards you. Ensure that the powder charge is dry and grease free



Step 6.

Using the widest end of the Loading tool, push the cap down into the cartridge until it's just flush with the top of the threads...





Step 7.

Carefully place the 5mm dia cap inside the 7mm cap, make absolutely sure it's free of grease...



Step 8.

Using the wider end of the Loading Tool again, push both caps down into the cartridge only as far as the tool allows...



Step 9.

Screw the End Cap back in place being careful not to allow the 5mm cap to fall out...



Finally Step 10.

To avoid any chance of the 5mm cap falling over within the cartridge, insert the thinner end of the loading tool into the open end (front) of the cartridge and GENTLY ease the washer and caps back towards the end cap and it's integral firing pin.



This ensures the pin holds the 5mm cap in place.

Please be warned however that excess force pushing the live caps back towards the firing pin could cause them to ignite. Enough force is generated within these cartridges to cycle bolts through modelguns so make certain the loading tool is pointed well away from your face!

Another 19 or 29 rounds to go until you fill your M16 or XM177 magazine...

Ref:www.mp40modelguns.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?t=2293 Cleaning Cartridges


Cerwyn
______________
Hobby collector of mainly WW2 era uniforms, headgear, field equipment and replica weapons.

Another established and successful method of loading these cartridges is to insert an used 7mm cap into the cartridge instead of the 5mm live cap.
This "dead" cap acts as a secondary gas seal improving blowback and performance.

I've attached below an extract from one of Mark's threads posted back in 2005...


1. I put the grease in the main body of the cartridge and then,

2. I put the "metal plug" (piston) into the cartridge with the beveled part facing the case mouth (where the bullet would be)

3. I then place the live cap in the cartridge and seat it with the supplied Marushin tool.

4. then, I place the fired cap into the cartridge with the open part (where the powder was) facing the live cap and the "hole" in the fired cap facing outwards. (this can be tricky to do as the fired cap doesn't want to fit in backwards)

5. Place the pin (on the cartridge bottom) into the hole in the fired caps bottom and screw the cartridge together...Done!

Cerwyn