Modern .303 Bandolier options?

nelly

nelly

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So, my below listed angst of .303BRIT chargers has got me thinking again (Doesn't often happen, so pardon me while I blow out the cobwebs...).

Is there any more modern (ie - Nylon and velcro, or fastex, or snaps) bandolier available for .303 Chargers? I have several issue cloth ones, but of course the wire closures are going to fail after several uses, and it is a bit tricky to get the chargers out of the "disposable" cloth type bandoliers in a hurry.

Anybody know of anyone out there with a modicum of sewing skill (Yes, my masculinity suffers no injury from me wishing that I had in fact taken a sewing class at some point in my life - I could have saved a bundle of cash if I could make my own clothes / goodies... I digress...) who might be making a more modern take on a 50 round / 10 charger carrying doodad for .303BRIT ammo?

I was thinking thet if the issue type ones were used as a basic design starting point, but make each of the 5 pockets slightly larger to permit easier insertion / removal of chargers, then put a divider between each of the two chargers in a pocket, then make each pocket close with something a little more hardy than the issue wire piece.

If the shoulder strap was also adjustable for very large to very small, perhaps also with a buckle for instant removal, then the bandolier could be used loose or snug over a shoulder, or even as a belt, if more convenient.

Thoughts, Ladies and Gents?

Neal
 
You have a good idea and I hope somebody takes you up on it.

You MIGHT be able to get away using a Garand belt; they were also designed to handle Springfield chargers as well as Garand clips. Problem here is that they are ridiculously expensive these days.

Your idea does have merit. Like to see some.
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There is one for single rounds it holds 50 and one for chargers. International military antiques has them. I bought myself one for singel rounds it also works with 20gauge. They look cool
 
"...using a Garand belt..." My thought exactly. Reproductions aren't as bad as an original. Still pricey up here though. $44.95 at Marstar.
Marstar is listing a 'bandoleer with inserts' for $7.95. Goes over the shoulder vs being a belt.
Epp's is listing 6 pocket M1 Rifle bandoleers at 3 for $5.
"...taken a sewing class..." Leather isn't hard to sew. Doesn't have to be holster thickness for a mag pouch. If there's a Tandy's store near you, they do classes. You'll never buy another holster or mag pouch again. It is something you can learn out of a book though.
 
Yah - So far, everybody I have mentioned it too has been interested in one... No one has seen one made. I guess if I can get my sh*t together, I may have found a new business!

;)
 
A standard-issue Bomb Vest for the Number 23 (Mills) Bomb could be adapted, I suppose. They would hold 11 Mills Bombs in individual pockets, didn't really matter what Number (they were all similar dimensions): 5, 6, 23, 36, 36M.

Problem is that I don't think they have been made since the end of the Great War and they are sort of scarce these days. I have the only one in this neck of the woods that I know of, can't afford (or find) enough Mills Bombs to fill it up! But the pockets are okay, can be filled with chocolate or sausage or whatever to get you through the next gas attack. I suppose they could be filled with LE chargers as well.

@ riflechair: can you supply a pic of the "grenadier's tac vest"? Sounds like a modern version of what I have, in which case it could be eminently useful.
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Sure
I'll try to scrounge one up. Designed to alow the soldier to carry - A LOT OF FRIGGIN GRENADES! Better have a great throwing arm. Any pitchers out there?
 
I think most of these are for the 40mm grenade launchers so the fit may be a little too tight for more than one stripper clip? Just thinking out loud here. Anyone have one of these vests that can see if a stripper clip will fit?

Richard


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around here old 2 pocket 37 pattern pouches are still cheap and plentiful, they hold 20 rounds each, 2 chargers per pocket and they do up with snaps
 
I have found that, as in many things Military, the Australians were thinking ahead of me:

The Mark 1 bandoliers that they issued for both the .303 and 7.62 chargers through to the 80s had adjustable length strap, and closed with press studs.

Sorry, I can't attach images from work, so you'll have to google to see one....

Now - To find some of the buggers!

N
 
A P-37 waistbelt can hold 4 P-37 small ammo pouches, 16 chargers, 80 loaded rounds of 303 ammo. I find this set-up protects the ammo better than a bandolier., and you can wear it or carry it.
 
Personally I like the new British ones. The bandoleers that the brits used up until 3 years ago were nylon with a button to hold them close. Excellent piece of kit that holds 1x 8rd "en bloc" clip, or 2x 5rd chargers of either .30-06 or .303 or 3x 5rd clips of 7.62mm x 39mm. I loved them right up until a match in Shilo in December. What a pain in the butt in winter conditions.

In the last couple of years the brits have introduced a new nylon bandoleer that closes with velcro. I'm still waiting for a winter match to try them out though. Anything has to be easier than trying to open that button with cold finger. Its unfortunate though that when the bandoleers are turned in for salvage that they generally end up in the dump.

As for the American cartridge belt, I picked up an original unissued 1917 dated Mounted Cartridge belt (9 pockets) with a 2 pocket unissued .45 magazine pouch(dated 1918) in December for $225.00 (US), excellent piece of kit. They certainly knew how to build quality webbing back then.
 
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