Need Help With New Tight Belt

[Peter Wells]

Hi All

I know I have read somewhere on a procedure for loosening up a tight belt but can't find it.

As I recall it involved soaking in a solution of water and a soluble lubricant.

Anybody have a sure-fire remedy at hand?

TIA.

[Mongo]

Some guys here in the US soak their new belts in automatic transmission fluid (ATF) but I'm dubious of doing this since it will pick up dirt quickly.

[woodsy]

Peter, wetting the belt will only make it shrink. The only solution is to use a belt plug and expand each pocket by hand. The belt plug (colloquially known as a 'podger') is a steel plug of the same shape and dimensions as a standard ball round, with a sturdy wooden handle. The plug is worked into the pocket with a twisting motion until it reaches the desired depth to hold the cartridges properly. The trick is to mark to correct depth on the plug once you have it properly determined. A slow but sure (and official) cure!

[Peter Wells]

Thanks Mongo - that does sound a bit dodgy as you say.

Rod - I have such a creature in my "CASE, SPARE PARTS AND TOOLS" so will get to it. Part of the problem, though, seems to be the friction between the dry cases and the fabric. It looks to me like a bit of lubrication would ease things a bit.

Thanks to both of you for input.

[Richard Fisher]

Peter,

Just to add: If you store it ammunition in the pockets for a while, it soon becomes loose enough. I do remember reading an account that the ammunition had to be taken out of the belts after a while so they didn't get too loose. They were then soaked in water to tighten them again and reamed again.

Sounds like something to keep bored soldiers busy! I know that my thumb gets an authentic form of pain after loading a couple of belts by hand!!! Even using the belt loading machine, they need loosening first.

Hope you are well,

Richard