Glad to see some of the younger soldiers like the .50 HMG. You know that those of you who served in Afghanistan NEED to tell your Chain of Command that its not obsolete, no matter what the geniuses at NDHQ think. Besides, it's one heck of weapon that every infanteer should know how to use.
The point about the oil can on the 50....that is so true. I've done that myself. Same with the C6.
I don't know if you were using the Quick Change Barrel,were you?
We used the old barrels, and did complete headspace and timing for every barrel change, as per the pam. This is not ideal in a combat situation, however if your MGs are sited in pairs (principle) you have a few options if you are not using the QCB:
1. Mark the barrels where the head space is correct ie a distinct mark. The armorers may have a bit of a fit, but its the crews lives at stake, not the wpns tech;
2. The gun controller has to time the fire so weapons don't need to change barrels at the same time;
3. Local protection from come riflemen is a MUST.