[1rudeboy]

How many rounds does a typical M-16 military magazine contain? How many magazines does a typical soldier on patrol carry (including the one in the weapon)?

[drachenfels]

Standard for the M16 is the 30 round magazine. Basic load is 7 mags; 1 in the weapon, and 6 on the soldier. Total of 240 rounds.

That's not to discuss the better ideas of a: not putting in more than about 28 rounds to minimize the odds of full mags jamming due to max spring compression, or b: making the first couple of rounds in the mag tracer (so that when you're about to run dry, you see the tracers).

Additionally, understand that some folks carry more either due to SOP (standard operating procedures), or because they figure it's cheap insurance.

Additionally: any patrol will have SAWs (5.56 mm Squad Automatic Weapons) and M203 grenade launchers with them..

If they're vehicle mounted, they'll also have crew served weapons: either M2 .50 Brownings, or the Mk19 40mm grenade launcher (looks like a dwarf .50; feeds from a belt). Not to mention the AT4 missle (our single shot version of the RPG-7).

Cheers!