Belted 7.62 NATO

[Swagman]

Howdy,
I recently acquired some MilSurp 7.62 NATO with metal belt links attached. I'm new at this; any tricks in removing the metal links safely?
Swagman

[Stevo]

I've de-linked belted ammo by pressing the belt end cartridge against a block of wood. Pointy end against the block, of course. ;) Then working my way along the belt.

[Swagman]

I've de-linked belted ammo by pressing the belt end cartridge against a block of wood. Pointy end against the block, of course. ;) Then working my way along the belt.

Stevo,
Great suggestion; worked like a charm with very little pressure required to
de- link the rounds.
Know any use for the links?
Swagman

[Stevo]

Glad to hear that worked for you, Swagman. If you've got dummy rounds you can make up a display with the links.

[Doug]

or you can SELL the links to younger folks who yearn for anything halfways "authentic" in military firearms and ammo...........

Doug

[stencollector]

Don't forget that technically, more than 5 rounds linked together onto the modern style links is a prohibited device.

[Swagman]

Don't forget that technically, more than 5 rounds linked together onto the modern style links is a prohibited device.

This ammo came as four linked rounds. Thanks for letting me know why!
Swagman

[stencollector]

That can also happen with 4bit ammo....4 ball 1 tracer. When it's really dry out the guys remove the tracer rounds (every fifth round) out of a belt because of the fire risk. Without knowing the full story of the origions of your ammo, it is hard to determine which reason is more likely.

[Stevo]

That can also happen with 4bit ammo....4 ball 1 tracer. When it's really dry out the guys remove the tracer rounds (every fifth round) out of a belt because of the fire risk. Without knowing the full story of the origions of your ammo, it is hard to determine which reason is more likely.

My guess it that the previous owner may have removed and kept the tracer, if the belt originally contained it.

[Swagman]

That can also happen with 4bit ammo....4 ball 1 tracer. When it's really dry out the guys remove the tracer rounds (every fifth round) out of a belt because of the fire risk. Without knowing the full story of the origions of your ammo, it is hard to determine which reason is more likely.

Dear Stencollector
The box was labeled "Mixed Belt". Lot 44 MAL 1- 83 4B1T L2A Made in Malasia
That seems to confirm your suspicion about the tracer.
Thanks for your input.
Swagman

[stencollector]

This ammo came as four linked rounds. Thanks for letting me know why!
Swagman
oops, my remark about the 5 round legality applies to Canada. I did not notice your location at that time. I can't really say what the laws are in California....but by what I read they are every bit as bad and contorted as ours. But reading the whole thread it looks like we have figured out why you are missing each 5th round.

We had a couple guys using tracer during our recent milsurp shoot when trying to hit the furthest target. The guys thought it was pretty cool. I have just picked up 800+ rounds of 8mm tracer. I'll have to organise a night shoot this spring.

[Swagman]

I can remember night live fire exercises when I was in Service. I remember being astounded by the number of ricochets that are visualized by the tracer.
Swagman

[Swagman]

According to Wikipedia (the font of all knowledge) the pyrotechnic elements in tracer are Strontium salts (NATO) and Barium salts (Russian and Chinese) and a metal fuel such as Magnesium. Do you take any special precautions in cleaning the firearms after firing tracer? Any correlation between these salts and those generated in corrosive primers?
Swagman

[browningautorifle]

I taught machine guns for years in the army and we never identified any hazzard to barrel life from any tracer or incendiary ammo. We used the same 7.62 tracers in F.N.s and I saw no ill effects such as corrosive primers caused. Only post ammo let down!