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This is how to speed load a 50 Caliber Machine Gun (M2). Typically, a soldier it taught to lift the feed cover, pick the claw up, pull the bolt back a bit, place the rounds, push the claw back down and make sure it grabs the round, then close the feed tray cover, and then charge the handle. In a moving vehicle, especially under NODs, this is tough. Worse, is the feed tray cover tends to close and smash your hands as the vehicle is moving. To avoid this, line the rounds up, and push the female links in past the spring teeth. The links won't match up to the feed claw groove, just make sure the round matches up with the feed opening. Not only is this quicker, but it's much easier under NODs, because it can be done by feel without adjusting the focus of the NOD to see the weapon. Our 50 Cals are all A2's with fixed spacing and timings, I have no experience with the A1. Always consult an expert in your unit before you try this. I'm serving in 3/10 SFG (A), none of these comments are NOT endorsed by the US Army or any other organization. All opinions are my own from my personal experience.
