Belt-fed: Difference between revisions
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In the context of [[machine gun]]s, a means of supplying a continuous stream of ammunition, linked together in a flexible belt. "Belt" usually implies that there will be some manual handling of the ammunition; [[magazine (firearms)|magazine-fed]] machine guns may internally have a structure similar to a belt, but the magazines are changed as a unit without manipulating the belt. | In the context of [[machine gun]]s, a means of supplying a continuous stream of ammunition, linked together in a flexible belt. "Belt" usually implies that there will be some manual handling of the ammunition; [[magazine (firearms)|magazine-fed]] machine guns may internally have a structure similar to a belt, but the magazines are changed as a unit without manipulating the belt. | ||
The belt may be constructed with disintegrating links, which fall off as the cartriges enter the gun, or the gun's mechanism may extract bullets from a reusable belt, the reusable belt coiling underneath the gun. | The belt may be constructed with disintegrating links, which fall off as the cartriges enter the gun, or the gun's mechanism may extract bullets from a reusable belt, the reusable belt coiling underneath the gun. Some belt systems allow an assistant to link a new belt to the unused end of the belt actively being used by the gun, providing a continuous flow. | ||
Examples of belt-fed machine guns include the [[M240 (machine gun)|M240]], [[M249 (machine gun)|M249]], [[M60 (machine gun|M60]] and [[M2 (machine gun)|M2]]. They contrast with magazine-fed units such as the [[M149 (machine gun)|M149]]. | Examples of belt-fed machine guns include the [[M240 (machine gun)|M240]], [[M249 (machine gun)|M249]], [[M60 (machine gun|M60]] and [[M2 (machine gun)|M2]]. They contrast with magazine-fed units such as the [[M149 (machine gun)|M149]]. | ||
Revision as of 12:43, 17 February 2009
In the context of machine guns, a means of supplying a continuous stream of ammunition, linked together in a flexible belt. "Belt" usually implies that there will be some manual handling of the ammunition; magazine-fed machine guns may internally have a structure similar to a belt, but the magazines are changed as a unit without manipulating the belt.
The belt may be constructed with disintegrating links, which fall off as the cartriges enter the gun, or the gun's mechanism may extract bullets from a reusable belt, the reusable belt coiling underneath the gun. Some belt systems allow an assistant to link a new belt to the unused end of the belt actively being used by the gun, providing a continuous flow.
Examples of belt-fed machine guns include the M240, M249, M60 and M2. They contrast with magazine-fed units such as the M149.