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Posted: 9/1/2026 9:31:39 PM EDT
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I've never linked 5.56 before and was wondering what the frequent flyers in this sub-forum think of linkers for 5.56. I've linked an appalling amount of 22 LR for my Razorback by hand and it is easy but tedious. Watching these youtube videos of people linking 5.56 by hand, it almost looks like it would be easier than the 22 belts since the M27 links appear to index on the cartridge rim/extractor groove. 1. My first question is, for linking a couple hundred rounds per week, is it worth it to buy a linker? I'm not super concerned about speed, but I've read that hand-linking 5.56 can be rough on the thumbs. 2. Are progressive linkers preferable over the plate/press style? 3. Is there a generally preferred brand of M27 link for use in Shrike/MCR type uppers? I read that some are tighter than others and that these types of uppers don't do well with overly tight links due to reduced forward bolt speed compared to something like an M249. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance. I found info to be a little scarce using the search feature. |
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: I imported a $3500 linker from Sweden. It works very well, its awesome, and yet....I can still link belts faster by hand. So no, I don't recomend buying a linker. I appreciate you sharing your opinion on the subject as I'm sure you do a lot of linking! |
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Hand linking M27 links is extremely easy and fast. Going slow you can link 100 rounds in 10 minutes or less. Don’t waste money on a linker. You will just have to check the web for links. Most everywhere is out of stock. I like the International Ordinance links KAK sells, but they show out of stock. The L6 site shows back ordered. Keep checking. |
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I'm by hand only so far, I think it's about 500/hr not working that hard, watching youtube or whatever. Thumbs do get sore after a while, so I bought some silicon finger cots that give some padding. I have marking on my desk pad for 10, 20, and 25 linked rounds from the edge. I just do groups of 25. Pile of links on one side, rounds on the other (I always forget which is which until I do a few). Each hand grabs from each pile, push it together, repeat. |
I would like to remind everyone that disorganized violence is never the answer. - John Carter
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WHY would you only load a "couple hundred rounds per week"? Judas man youve got a beltfed! You should keep at least a 1000 rounds linked at any one time, better still 5000. Buy your ammo and links in bulk, then get going No you dont need a linker. Honestly Im not really sure it speeds things up, that much; but it is satisfying to throw the lever and know youve just loaded a bunch. You can sit in front of the TV and pretty much mindlessly load belts, especially if youre only loading BALL rounds. You have to pay a bit more attention if tossing in tracer 1:5; but its not really complicated One note if you ever do decide to add Tracers, make sure they are matched to you Ball ammo. You dont want different weights/trajectories. The whole point of tracers is that they match your Ball ammo POA |
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Originally Posted By LimaSix: I imported a $3500 linker from Sweden. It works very well, its awesome, and yet....I can still link belts faster by hand. So no, I don't recomend buying a linker. I have been lusting after a Swedish Ord linker for awhile. Glad I didn’t purchase one. |
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I use this one. It doesn't make linking any faster, but it does make the setting depth in the links extremely consistent. https://nichetactical.com/m249-saw-minimi-mcr-ares-5-56-223-linker-delinker-loader-for-m27-links/ |
Middleofnowhere, Nebraska
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Originally Posted By tommyidone: None of the linkers allow you to bulk dump the links and ammo in and go. You still end up stacking the links in the correct orientation into magazines or a tray. Unfortunately that requires a rather complicated vibratory bowl setup to sort the links, when I was working on my progressive linker (I'm the guy behind Niche Tactical linkers) the quote for a single vibratory bowl setup I got was over $30k, otherwise the link magazines is the only way to go (you still have to fill them). |
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Like others, I just do it by hand while watching TV. I think I'm currently down to somewhere between 7 and 8,000 rounds of linked 5.56. I usually order links from KAK. I once ordered 5,000 links from Old Sarge's Drop Zone up in NY, but never again. They offered three shipping methods: Ground, Priority, and Express. I chose Priority and paid for it. They shipped Ground, though, and pocketed the difference. On top of that, I only got about 4,750 links, not 5,000. I can understand a little shrinkage due to counting by weight, but being a little over 5% short is a bit ridiculous. It doesn't take much effort to count out 100 links and then multiply that weight by 50. Using that method, you should only be off by 50 or so links due to rounding errors. |
I will not compromise!
Ne Desit Virtus (Let Valor Not Fail) - Rakkasan!
"Life is fucking hard. Either get used to taking a few lumps like the rest of us, or buy a fucking helmet and crawl into a corner somewhere." -Me
Ne Desit Virtus (Let Valor Not Fail) - Rakkasan!
"Life is fucking hard. Either get used to taking a few lumps like the rest of us, or buy a fucking helmet and crawl into a corner somewhere." -Me
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Originally Posted By fordkicksass: I've never linked 5.56 before and was wondering what the frequent flyers in this sub-forum think of linkers for 5.56. I've linked an appalling amount of 22 LR for my Razorback by hand and it is easy but tedious. Watching these youtube videos of people linking 5.56 by hand, it almost looks like it would be easier than the 22 belts since the M27 links appear to index on the cartridge rim/extractor groove. 1. My first question is, for linking a couple hundred rounds per week, is it worth it to buy a linker? I'm not super concerned about speed, but I've read that hand-linking 5.56 can be rough on the thumbs. 2. Are progressive linkers preferable over the plate/press style? 3. Is there a generally preferred brand of M27 link for use in Shrike/MCR type uppers? I read that some are tighter than others and that these types of uppers don't do well with overly tight links due to reduced forward bolt speed compared to something like an M249. Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance. I found info to be a little scarce using the search feature. I think overall it will all depend on your preference, I have created my Niche Tactical linkers because I hated linking by hand (long before the Lima Six came out) I certainly would recommend a progressive if you are linking a lot or want to simplify your life (about 5 minutes per 100 round belt). Think about it the same as reloading, yes you can use a hand loader (like Lee handloader), or move to a single stage press, or move to a progressive ala Dillon 650/750, it all depends on your preference. Linking by hand will be painful on your fingers after a while, but that's just me.... |
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Reading this article on the difficulties of making useful robots (https://secondthoughts.ai/p/14-reasons-robotics-is-hard), it strikes me that linking ammo would be an interesting challenge and future domestic use case. I was trying to think of tasks around the house that a pretty dumb robot could do, and wasn't finding many. But linking ammo would be pretty handy. The shape of links make them hard to automate in traditional mechanization, but a robot could have enough judgment to pick out of a mass just like a human does. |
I would like to remind everyone that disorganized violence is never the answer. - John Carter
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