Belt (firearm)
From Freepedia
A belt is an ammunition feeding device for a firearm. It holds a single row of cartridges adjacent to each other.
The belt serves to link the cartridges together so that they may be fired in a uniform manner. In general, the belt is either fed through the gun, and subsequently pushed out the other side of the chamber, or the links themselves "disintegrate" as the cartridges are integral to the design of the belt. The latter is called a "disintegrating belt."
One gun that uses a belt feed mechanism is the American M-60 machine gun, although adaptations have been made for the M-16 rifle as well, which allow it to feed from a belt.
Belts are useful in that long sequences of ammunition can be run through a weapon with little or no interaction from the individual firing it. They generally help prevent jamming and provide a controlled entry and exit from the firearm.
Belts are sometimes combined with a box, which contains the belt, folded in an organized manner for transport.
