Sturm/Miltec M-1923 Reproduction Review

M1923 Cartridge belt- Sturm/Miltec reproduction

After exploring all available storage options for the M1 en-bloc clips, I was confronted with a dilemma. Just how much firepower did I want to carry around at the range? With "cheap" 30-06 coming to 55 cents a round (from the folks at the CMP), the odds of finishing a whole bandolier of clips in one informal session is an expensive prospect. However, the appeal of the full "GI loadout" cannot be denied, especially with Sturm/Miltec offering a product at a reasonable $35. While not a replacement for the real issue, it's a nice item to complement the rifle in the field. Unlike later issued M-1923 belts, this one comes complete with the Springfield 1903 retainer straps.

Includes 1903 Springfield straps (to separate 2 stripper clips per pocket).

When fully loaded with enblocs, the price point of the Sturm belt begins to make more sense. Unfortunately, I have to practically squeeze the rounds into the pocket right above the "US" stamp. Seems that someone was a bit overzealous with the rivet gun.

Eyelet placed too close to cartridge pocket.

Color is a nice khaki shade, if you're into that. The lift-the-dot snaps seem fairly well executed, but only time will tell how long they'll last. Forums are full of horror stories of these fasteners ripping away after moderate use. While this may yet occur, I'd much rather it happen to this cheaper reproduction than a real-deal USGI belt.

Update: I've already lost an eyelet from simply fastening the Sturm belt to it's companion M-1928 Haversack. The belt remains functional, but it is clear that these pieces are not built to last. As always, your mileage may vary. 

Lost eyelet visible second from left- partially strengthened/repaired with superglue. Hey, it's a reproduction.

M1 .30-06 Bandoliers & History

M1 Garand Cloth Bandoliers

These cloth bandoliers are ubiquitous in period pictures from both World War 2 and Korea. Many cans of .30-06 were packaged with 6 of these bandoleers, with 192 total rounds. When on the front lines, soldiers could quickly resupply themselves with ammunition by grabbing a few bandoleers and donning them, in addition to the the ammunition stored on their belt. Reportedly, soldiers were happy with the ability to quickly reload from these bandoliers, when compared to the rounds available on their M-1923 belts. Considering this, my research has shown that soldiers would use up their ammunition from bandoliers first, before depleting the rounds available on their cartridge belts. Equipped in such a way, the average infantryman had access to approximately 180 rounds of .30-06 ammo, figuring an M-1923 belt and two bandoliers. As seen in the pictures, these cloth bandoliers contained cardboard inserts which allowed for long-term storage, and prevented the rounds from clinking together (or tearing right through the material!)

Cardboard inserts protect the bandoliers from wearing out.

These bandoliers were often affixed to the outer layer of a GI's uniform with a safety pin, which stopped the clips from shifting around during maneuvers. 

What pictures cannot describe is the heft of a fully loaded bandolier. 48 rounds of .30-06, with en-bloc clips, weighs over a pound. Carrying almost 200 rounds is nearly 4 pounds of extra weight, which feels quite clumsy considering the way it is spread out over one's body, rather than contained in a single 30-round magazine. 

Keep in mind that these cloth bandoliers were designed to be disposable, so it is difficult to determine exactly how they would stand up to field use over an extended period of time. It's doubtful that any modern user would be able to subject the material to the same stress inherent in a World War, however!


PS: I used both forms of spelling of 'bandoleer' in this close-up. If you know which one's actually correct, please drop me a line because it's driving me nuts. 

More Info on .30-06 (Garand Food)