M1 carbine ammo belt

[Snake Master]

How many pouches were put on a soldiers belt carrying an m1 carbine in ww2?

Thanks,
Michael

[Adrian Stevenson]

Usually just one was carried on the pistol belt and sometimes an additional one on the butt of the carbine.

Cheers, Ade.

[Walkwolf]

Ade is correct. There is a snap button on the US pistol belt which accepts the pouch.
The M1 Carbine was a light, handy sidearm type weapon normally used by soldiers
other than riflemen, such specialists as Mortarmen, Artillerymen, Radiomen etc,
were issued them as the M1 Garand was found to be too cumbersome..........

[Snake Master]

So other people who have 4 or 5 pouches on their belts are incorrect? I see that a lot on google.

Thanks

[GIZMO8Z]

So other people who have 4 or 5 pouches on their belts are incorrect? I see that a lot on google.

Thanks

I would say that 9 times out of 10, soldiers issued M1 Carbines would just have the two pouches. As Ade and Steve said, on their belt and on the butt of the rifle. These troops were given the carbine for a reason... rear echelon guys like officers, truck drivers, artillery men, radio men, etc... they didn't need a heavy Garand or the stopping power that the Garand provided.

However, I've also heard that the M1 Carbine was a favorite among raiding parties, some special forces troops, and especially paratroopers and Marines in Pacific jungles because it was easy to handle. I don't think it's unreasonable for these guys to have more ammo on them.

[NCA]

I was going to mention Paratroopers too..i have a picture of an Airborne soldier with at least 4 on his belt..

[GIZMO8Z]

I was going to mention Paratroopers too..i have a picture of an Airborne soldier with at least 4 on his belt..

Yep, definitely. Paratroopers were often behind enemy lines and without a supply source... Whatever they jumped into combat with was all they had until they were able to link up with other units.

It should also be mentioned that if a paratrooper's carbine had the folding stock, he couldn't put a pouch on his rifle.

[Walkwolf]

Correct Joe. The Paratroops had their own version of the M1 Carbine
with folding stock - the M1A1. I suppose it would depend on the
situation, if someone needed or wanted to carry more ammo.

Most of the time, I imagine guys would carry just the
essentials, without any extra added weight.........

[GIZMO8Z]

I should mention that rules were meant to be broken, and it seems as if soldiers made all sorts of modifications to best suit their needs in combat. I saw a photo of a soldier who replaced his M1 Carbine sling with a cloth ammo belt filled with .30 carbine rnds... I also read of a Marine raider who cut down his 15rnd carbine mags to 5rnd capacity so the mag would be flush with the trigger grouping and not protrude out... I guess he wanted to stay as low as possible when firing prone!

[Snake Master]

Thabks for the info! So correct korean war and ww2 impression would be two belt pouches, one on the stock, and bandage pouch, and canteen pouch with canteen?

Thanks