by Mark Genovese

With the proliferation of semiautomatic belt-fed firearms, both home-built and manufactured, the real need for an affordable metallic linker is obvious. In the past your choices were few, Lloyd Hahn of Hahn Loaders, St. Charles, Missouri (currently retired) or Guiette MFG., INC., Santee, California. We now have an affordable, very high quality alternative. Model “1” Sales Inc., (Dept. SAR, P.O. Box 211, Fox River Grove, IL 60021; phone: 847-639-3192) is presently offering a beautifully CNC-machined and very robust linker. The base plate is manufactured from high tensile strength aluminum, 111/2 inches wide, 9¾ inches high, 5/8-inch thick. CNC-machined to accommodate twenty rounds of .30-06, .308 or the abundant and inexpensive 7.92x57mm ammunition. The loading handle and corresponding compound linkage is of high carbon steel. The mechanism used closely resembles that of the .50-caliber M7 link loader. This unit is assembled with Allen head machine screws and TIG-welded where applicable. The finish is a dark black anodizing and pre-drilled holes in the base are provided to mount the unit to your workbench. Shipping weight is 13 pounds. For under $200 you can save your fingertips and cut your linking time in half.