Need input on steel ammo can direction

[Ratzkie]

Need some help deciding which way to mount the 50 cal ammo can hopper on this LMG. I'm only going to make one or the other. It can either open from left to right across marker body, or it can open from the back and flip up and forward. The carrier can be made to bolt on from the left or the right, but it's still going to have the same question. Open there from right to left or from back to front? If I make it mount front to back, then the ammo can hopper will need a different version to mount in the other side- feed from left or right into the bottom of the body. Making it stick out away from the body means that the ammo can and carrier can simply be flipped.

[SETHZILLA!]

Left side of the gun, left to right open.
Actual M2 has the box on the right so that would look the most realistic for your project.

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[Ratzkie]

I'm not looking for realistic, im looking for easy to use. what would most people prefer.

[jokers]

I think if you are putting this on top of a slow moving tank then opening to the barrel would be best it gives a shield for your hands when refilling and as long as gun hits do not count then it would be a good shield. If you are mounting it to a fast moving vehicle then opening away from the marker would be best since it will not get slammed on your hands while reloading. Any other way of opening it would be a hassle.

[Ratzkie]

there is no opening from right to left. this is not a removable box. it has a standard ammo can lever lock. putting the lever on the right would literally lock the box shut permanently.
"slow moving tank or fast technical" field speedfor all vehicles at every field that allows them is walking pace. the vehicle speed plays no part in this. and if installed in a turret, most vehicles have a cover on the turret so using the lid as a shield doesnt stop anything since even the lid wont be getting hit.
i dont under stand what you mean by slamming your hands... it would lay across the top of the marker body, not the grips.

[jokers]

All of that info makes it easier, my thought is the lid opens toward the barrel(tank). My one concern with fast technical was the lid might be blown back and slam on your hands when reloading. Any other way would get in the way in my opinion or as you stated be permanently closed.