the carrier allows for ammunition removal by releasing a safety retention feature i e a cap to prevent ammunition from falling out of the carrier carrier opening closing can be done manually or via an automated mechanical locking arrangement as described below the ammunition carrier is traveled from one location e g a load location to another location e g an unload location along with a plurality of other ammunition carriers that go to make up the serpentine ammunition handling system during travel the ammunition carrier is intended to remain closed at all times in the serpentine of the vertical or horizontal magazine at a specific location within the magazine an actuator engages the carrier opening mechanism releases the locking mechanism and rotates the rotating portion of carrier body i e what may be characterized as one half of the ammunition carrier accordingly the ammunition becomes exposed to the loader but still remains secured within the carrier by the safety feature i e the cap being engaged in closed position if the ammunition removal is intended the carrier safety cap is released by means of rotating gears as part of a safety feature mechanism after the safety cap is rotated with.