What is a characteristic of the fire control on M2A1 Condition 3?

In M2A1 Condition 3, the primary characteristic is that the first round is engaged by the belt holding pawl. This means that the ammunition belt is loaded into the feeder, and the belt holding pawl is holding the first round in position to be easily fed into the chamber when the weapon is ready to fire. This condition indicates that the weapon is not fully loaded and is in a state of readiness, without a round currently in the chamber.

The fact that the first round is engaged signifies that the weapon is prepared for more controlled handling, allowing for a quicker transition to firing should the situation require it. This setup is vital for military operations, as it provides an optimal balance between readiness and safety.

In contrast, other choices present configurations that do not accurately describe Condition 3. For instance, having all rounds in the chamber refers to a different condition that would imply a higher state of readiness than what is specified in Condition 3.