Belt feed mechanism for mil-spec linked ammo

A feeding device for ammunition cartridges connected together in an elongated belt by separable links wherein the firearm individually separates a lead cartridge and a lead link from the remainder of the ammunition belt prior to chambering the lead cartridge in a breach, said device comprising:

• a feed chute defining a transverse feed path configured to receive the ammunition belt with lead cartridge and connected lead link through an inlet, said feed chute including a central stripping station disposed along said transverse feed path, a first outlet for discharging the lead cartridge separated from the lead link, said first outlet disposed above said stripping station, a second outlet for discharging the lead link separated from the lead cartridge, a mag well post having a generally rectangular cross-section configured to slide into a magazine well,
• a transfer mechanism operatively associated with said feed chute for sequentially moving the lead cartridge and connected lead link into the central stripping station, said transfer mechanism including a crank,
• a drive mechanism configured to produce a linear output motion, said drive mechanism operatively connected to said crank, and
• a sheering lip disposed in said stripping station, said sheering lip configured to engage a portion of the lead link directly below the lead cartridge to resist separating forces when the lead cartridge is pushed through said first outlet with minimal induced torsional stress.

A feeding device for ammunition cartridges connected together in an elongated belt by separable links wherein the firearm individually separates a lead cartridge and a lead link from the remainder of the ammunition belt prior to chambering the lead cartridge in a breach, said device comprising:

• a feed chute defining a transverse feed path configured to receive the ammunition belt with lead cartridge and connected lead link through an inlet, said feed chute including a central stripping station disposed along said transverse feed path, a first outlet for discharging the lead cartridge separated from the lead link, said first outlet disposed above said stripping station, a second outlet for discharging the lead link separated from the lead cartridge, a spring flap having a free end adjacent said stripping station, a mag well post having a generally rectangular cross-section configured to slide into a magazine well,
• a transfer mechanism operatively associated with said feed chute for sequentially moving the lead cartridge and connected lead link into the central stripping station, said transfer mechanism including a rocker frame pivotally connected to and surrounding said feed chute adjacent said inlet, said rocker frame including an upper rail and a lower rail and a left stile and a right stile, a left pivot shaft pivotally connecting said left stile to said feed chute, a right pivot shaft pivotally connecting said right stile to said feed chute, said left and right pivot shafts being co-axially aligned, at least one upper feed paw pivotally connected to said upper rail, an upper paw shaft pivotally supporting said upper feed paw, a torsion spring operatively disposed between said upper feed paw and said rocker frame, said upper feed paw having a cupped distal end extending into said feed chute from above, at least one lower feed paw pivotally connected to said lower rail, said lower feed paw having a cupped distal end extending into said feed chute from below, a crank extending from said rocker frame,
• a drive mechanism configured to produce a linear output motion, said drive mechanism operatively connected to said crank,
• a bolt catch extension, said bolt catch extension pivotally carried on said right pivot shaft, said bolt catch extension having an exterior finger grip and a pair of spaced apart legs, and
• a sheering lip disposed in said stripping station, said sheering lip configured to engage a portion of the lead link directly below the lead cartridge to resist separating forces when the lead cartridge is pushed through said first outlet with minimal induced torsional stress.