beltfed

Belt-fed refers to a family of ammunition feeding systems in which rounds are linked together in a belt and advanced by a feeding mechanism into the firearm’s chamber. Belts can be disintegrating or non-disintegrating. In disintegrating belts, the links separate after the round is chambered, allowing spent links to fall away, leaving the cartridge alone in the belt compartment; non-disintegrating belts retain their links, requiring the spent belt to be removed as a unit.

Operation is generally similar across belt-fed weapons: a belt is loaded onto a feed tray, a follower or roller advances the belt, a feed pawl engages the next round, and as the weapon cycles, the round is stripped and chambered while the spent cartridge is ejected. In disintegrating belts, the spent links separate and remain behind, reducing belt mass on the weapon.

History and examples: Belt-fed designs emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with Maxim-type machine guns and were later standard in many light and heavy machine guns. Iconic belt-fed weapons include the .50 caliber Browning M2, the MG42, and the M60 general-purpose machine gun. Belted ammunition enables sustained fire and is common on aircraft, armored vehicles, and infantry support roles, where frequent reloading would be impractical.

Variations and considerations: Belts come in various lengths and calibers, and belt design influences reliability. Disintegrating belts minimize handling of spent links but require compatible belt construction; non-disintegrating belts simplify logistics in some setups but create more spent-belt weight. Belt-fed systems add weight and mechanical complexity, increasing potential for feed jams and maintenance needs, but they are favored for sustained-fire applications.