M1 Garand - a DUMB Question

[Werewolf]

I've got a crap load of Garand clips - all of which are loaded with the requisite 8 rounds. Currently at the range or when plinkin' on my daughter's land I lug'm around in an old ammo can which is OK I guess when on the range but is a major pain when wandering and plinking.

What did the GI's who carried the M1 in WWII use to carry around their loaded clips (I hardly believe the individual soldier carried them in an ammo box)?

Where can I get a bandolier or belt with cartridge cases or whatever was used to lug around the GI's ammo?

As an aside: What was the standard issue number of rounds to the GI carrying a Garand in WWII?

 

[30Cal]

A cotton bandolier held 6 clips.

 

[Tech1]

Pick up a copy of Shotgun News and find a belt. There's a company that advertises in it all the time that sells WWII equipment, some original,some reproduction.

 

[natedog]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ctd/product.asp?sku=ZRW-134&mscssid=NEKH8E5HJ6819KMWC3FSFSCXJX2J41M4

Can carry 80 rounds of .30-06 on en-bloc clips (or, 10 10 round magazines for an intermediate caliber rifle, a la Mini-14)

 

[rritter]

That link goes to a WWI-style belt, intended more for carrying stripper clips for a bolt-action rifle than for the M1 en-block clips. But, keep looking. There are companies selling WWII-style belts that hold 10 Garand clips (80 rounds).

 

[critter]

If you are interested, send me a pm and I'll send you a couple of cloth bandaleers which hold M1 loaded clips.

 

[M2 Carbine]

The Korean ammo that's loaded in clips is in cloth bandoleers.

AIM is one place that has it.

 

[MrMurphy]

Originally guys were issued ammo belts with little pockets holding up to 10 clips, plus you attached your canteens and all the usual crap, later in the war, ammo was directly issued in clips in a little bandolier you could just sling on you.

Standard issue for ammo was anywhere from 80 to 200 rounds depending on what your job was, where you were, etc.


Rather like now, the "standard combat load" for a GI is supposedly 6 30 round mags for an M16. But you can bet the guys in Iraq are going around with a minimum of 12 or more, more like 18. Friend of mine was in Somalia and said minimum for them was 10 mags. My dad said 20-30 20 rnd mags were standard in Vietnam....

 

[jrhead75]

SOP then and now AFAIK, would be pouches on the web gear to hold either full clips or full mags, and whatever troopies that have the room dangle as many bandoliers off of themselves as they can carry as extra. Thus, alot of milsurp ammo comes packed in bandoliers in ammo cans. No such thing as too much ammo.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Those bandoliers were also good for cigarettes.

 

[444]

Man, I wish you lived here.

A few months ago, I ordered a reproduction military web belt for M1 clips. I didn't hear anything about it since then and assumed the order had been lost. A couple weeks ago, I ordered another one from a different place. I got it promptly (about a week ago). Today, the first one I ordered now shows up.
So, I have two. I have no use for two. I guess I could load one of them up with 03 clips and the other with M1 clips.

 

[Tech1]

http://home.att.net/~ra-carbines/parts9.html
holds 10 clips

http://www.omahas.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=4

http://www.fulton-armory.com/MParts.htm

 

[foghornl]

Southern Ohio Gun www.sog.com
Ammo man www.ammoman.com

frequently have Garand en-bloc clips loaded with ammo and in bandoliers for sale. If you have a decent gun show near you anytime soon, those items can usually be found wherever the bulk ammo guys are.