What malfunction may occur from incorrectly positioning the first round of a partial belt on the M249 AR feed tray?

When the first round of a partial belt is incorrectly positioned on the M249 AR feed tray, the most likely malfunction to occur is a failure to feed or strip. This malfunction arises because the ammunition is not aligned properly for the weapon's feeding mechanism. The M249 relies on the precise positioning of the belt to ensure that the rounds can be fed from the belt and stripped off smoothly into the chamber for firing.

If the rounds are not positioned correctly, they cannot engage with the feed pawl and may block the mechanism from drawing the round into the chamber. Therefore, the failure to feed or strip is directly linked to how the ammunition is placed in relation to the feed tray and the weapon's operating components. This highlights the importance of ensuring proper ammunition handling and loading techniques within the training environment.

Understanding the relationship between ammunition positioning and weapon function is crucial for effective operation and maintenance of the M249.