Belt (firearm)
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A belt is a device that holds cartridges adjacent to each other in a single row for feeding into a firearm, typically a machine gun. The belt itself only serves to link the cartridges together so that they may be fired in a uniform manner; it does not perform the feeding of the firearm.
In general, the belt is either permanently linked, fed through the weapon, and subsequently pushed out the other side of the chamber, or the links themselves "disintegrate", or break apart after firing, as the cartridges are integral to the design of the belt. The latter is called a "disintegrating belt". The main advantage of the non-disintegrating belt is that it is refillable. The advantages of the disintegrating belt are that it is lighter and does not dangle from the other side of the gun.
Belts are useful in that long sequences of ammunition can be run through a weapon with little to no interaction from the individual firing it. They generally help prevent jamming and provide a controlled entry and exit from the firearm.
Belts are often stored in a transportation box, which can be attached under the firearm. This allows mobile infantry troops equipped with light and medium machine guns to carry a large amount of ammunition with ease of transportation that would not be allowed by a loose belt.
See also
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