Reloading

All small arms have a magazine (Mag) listing which consists of a num- ber and, in some cases, a letter code. This shows the type of feed device used for ammu- nition in the weapon and the number of rounds in it. The most common form of feed device in small arms is a box magazine which attaches through the stock or pistol grip.Weapons with no letter code after their feed value are fed by box magazines, each of which contains the number of rounds shown.

One reloading action is sufficient to detach an empty box magazine and insert a full one.

Other forms of feed devices are noted by letter code as explained below:

• R (Revolver): A revolver's feed device is a nondetachable revolving cylinder which usually holds six bullets. If loaded individually, three bullets can be put into the cylinder per reloading action. If a quick-loader is available (a circular clip holding six cartridges which enable~ all six to be dropped into open cylinder at once), one reloading action is sufficient to reload the weapon.
• i (Individual): Weapons with nondetachable magazines, particularly under-barrel tubular magazines, often have to be reloaded one shell at a time. Up to three bullets may be loaded into an i-class feed device per reloading action.
• B (Belt): The weapon, either a machinegun or automatic rifle, is fed by a belt usually containing from 50 to 100 bullets. Two reloading actions are necessary to replace a belt. However, if the machinegun has a two-man crew (gunner and loader), this requirement can be met by both expending one action reloading in the same phase.
• C (Cassette): A cassette is a large self-contained ammunition feed system which takes one full turn to replace.