From:	gurth@******.nl (Gurth)
Subject:	belt ammunition
Date:	Thu, 8 May 2003 11:21:32 +0200

According to Robert Ennew, on Thursday 08 May 2003 10:06 the word on the
street was...

> > Only if the loading strip (a small piece of metal to
> > pull the first round
> > into the chamber after partially loading) is missing
> > 5 rounds are taken
> > from the loaded belt.
>
> So Is there a loading strip between each round or only
> the first (forgive my ignorance)?

German machine guns, like the MG 3 Arclight was talking about, are normally
used with a short length of belt that holds about 3 rounds (I think) and
has a number of flat "links" and a long tab. This is attached to the front
of the belt, so that loading can be accomplished by pushing the tab
through the feed slot in the weapon, and pulling it out the other side.

Many other machine guns need to be loaded by opening the feed cover, laying
a belt across the top of the weapon, and closing the cover again. The
loading strip/tab obviates the need for this.

> I do understand
> that when you come close to the end of the belt,
> you're ussually screwed If gets that far

That's one of the tasks of the no. 2: link belts while the gun is firing,
to keep up the ammo supply.

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