Fill Magazine

Categories: TABLES OF ORGANIZATION
Military Handbooks: The Plattsburg Manual Advanced Training

Take the position of load, if not already there, open the gate of the

magazine with the right thumb, take five cartridges from the box or

belt, and place them, with the bullets to the front, in the magazine,

turning the barrel slightly to the left to facilitate the insertion of

the cartridges; close the gate and carry the right hand to the small of

the stock.



To load from the magazine the command From mag zine will be given

preceding that of LOAD; the cut-off will be turned up on coming to

the position of load.



To resume loading from the belt the command From belt will be given

preceding the command LOAD; the cut-off will be turned down on

coming to the position of load.



The commands from magazine and from belt, indicating the change in

the manner of loading, will not be repeated in subsequent commands.



The words from belt apply to cartridge box as well as belt.



In loading from the magazine care should be taken to push the bolt fully

forward and turn the handle down before drawing the bolt back, as

otherwise the extractor will not catch the cartridge in the chamber, and

jamming will occur with the cartridge following.



To fire from the magazine, the command MAGAZINE FIRE may be given at

any time. The cut-off is turned up and an increased rate of fire is

executed. After the magazine is exhausted the cut-off is turned down and

the firing continued, loading from the belt.



Magazine fire is employed only when, in the opinion of the platoon

leader or company commander, the maximum rate of fire becomes necessary.