What does the acronym SPORT refer to when discussing the M16?

Answer 1

It is actually SPORTS

SLAP - Slap the bottom of the magazine to make sure you got it in properly

PULL - Pull back the charging handle

OBSERVE - Look into the chamber to see what the problem is

RELEASE - let go of charging handle (after fixing problem)

TAP - Tap the forward assist to force bolt closed

SHOOT - Pull trigger

There are two main types of malfunction clearing drills. Immediate action, and remedial action.

Immediate action fixes the problem most of the time, because most of the time you simply failed to slam the magazine in hard enough. So immediate action is slap the mag in, recharge the weapon by pulling the charging handle back and releasing it.

Remedial action is done after immediate action fails to correct problem. You pull the charging handle back, which opens the chamber for inspection (unless the case is stuck in the chamber and in that case you need to bash your stock against the ground and inertia will force the chamber open)

Look in the chamber, usually there is a stove pipe or double feed. Lock the bolt open. Drop the magazine. Remove the obstructions. Put magazine back in, recharge weapon, fire.