Vegaslaith
Member
Do soldiers keep their used mags, or let them fall where they may when they hit the mag release? If you were to go back in time to the battle of Stalingrad or Vietnam, would the ground be littered with brass and emty mags?
I believe thats correct, but I'm wouldn't be surprised if they are considered "consumables" by supply, as they are a known item that gets worn, damaged, or otherwise becomes unserviceable fairly quickly, and at a fairly high rate. Also, I wouldn't know from experience, but I would guess that if you dropped a couple mags during a firefight and they got lost or damaged, they wouldn't exactly give you NJP for it. While I'm sure they like to see them all return with you, and return undamaged, I have to think that they understand that it may not always be possible or practical at the same time. Or at least I'd hope so anyways. you never know with the military, they can be funny about stuff.Nope. Dump pounches are the practical solution to spent and partially spent magaines in the field.
Plus SMGs (MP38/40, PPSh, PPD, etc.) and LMGs (some ZB-type in second-line German units, DP-type for the Soviets), etc. Possibly a few rifles with detachable magazines on each side (Soviet SVT, don't know if FG42 or G43 variants were much used there), but not many. Pistols of course, but I would not think those were of great tactical significance.At Stalingrad, it was bolt action rifles on both sides.