BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE MANUAL
31-129
02 JANUARY 2020
Security
USAF SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT
WEAPONS HANDLING PROCEDURES
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: Publications and forms are available for downloading or ordering on the
e-Publishing website at www.e-Publishing.af.mil
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication
OPR: AF/A4SF
Supersedes: AFMAN 31-129,
29 Jun 2016
Certified by: AF/A4S
(Col Brian A. Barthel)
Pages: 91
This manual provides guidance on loading, clearing, issuing, and turning in of US Air Force small
arms and light weapons (SA/LW). This manual implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD)
31-1, Integrated Defense and supports Air Force Instruction (AFI) 31-117, Arming and Use of
Force by Air Force Personnel. Ensure that all records created as a result of processes prescribed
in this publication are maintained in accordance with Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 33-363,
Management of Records, and disposed of in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition
Schedule located in the Air Force Records Information Management System. This instruction
applies to all civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, Air Force
Reserve, and Air National Guard civilian and contract personnel (as made applicable in their
contract), as well as personnel from other US military branches assigned or attached to Air Force
units or otherwise receiving/returning SA/LW from or to Air Force armories or weapon storage
facilities. This publication may be supplemented at any level, but direct supplements must not
contain conflicting material or less restrictive guidance. All supplements must be routed to the
office of primary responsibility (OPR) listed above for coordination prior to certification and
approval. Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to AF/A4SF, 1030 Air
Force Pentagon Suite 5E1040, Washington DC 20330-1030, using Air Force (AF) Form 847,
Recommendation for Change of Publication; route AF Forms 847 from the field through the
appropriate functional chain of command. The authorities to waive wing/unit level requirements
in this publication are identified with a Tier (“T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3”) number following the
compliance statement. See AFI 33-360, Publications and Forms Management, Table 1.1 for a
