FMJ yaw and upset performance

[warped]

Despite their reported success with manual cycling, I remain skeptical that it would function reliably when fired.

The feed tray on machine guns like the M240 and M249 has a cartridge stop at the right front, which is designed to contact the shoulder of the cartridge to keep the round from going past the feed slot. With no shoulder protruding in front of the link, what will keep the cartridge from "overshooting" the slot and becoming misaligned?

IIRC, the frontmost feed pawl is also placed so that it pushes against the left side of the exposed cartridge shoulder. With no shoulder ahead of the link, what does the feed pawl push against?

If the demand was there it would certainly be addressed and worked out in a speed like you have never seen.

Personally I am of the opinion a high melting temperature polymer link could be made, that or good old fashioned steel, although a polymer would be far lighter.