Over the years it has become a pet peeve of mine. It is the use of the term “clip” and “magazine”. I was at a youth class last night and heard it mis-used over and over and it was in the hand outs as well.
I have my ideas as to why people use the words “clip” and “magazine” incorrectly. It may be that they were taught wrong as these children were. Maybe they think “clip” sounds cool. Could it be that “clip” is a shorter word than magazine? Maybe they could just say “mag.” Pretty sure they hear it in movies everyday. Regardless, lots of people, including instructors are using the terms incorrectly. In my opinion there is simply no excuse. Especially when you are teaching a child or a new shooter. Please don’t be lazy. Say the correct term and in your hand outs print the correct term.
So, what is the difference between a “clip” and a “magazine”?
The difference in clips and magazines. Image via http://www.minutemanreview.com
A clip is used to feed a magazine. A magazine is used to hold rounds.
A clip is a strip or block that rounds or cartriges attach to. The strip or block is then used to feed or fill a magazine. Sometimes you can distinguish a clip that is attached to a gun such as the famous clip fed M1 rifle by the exposed ammunition that is cycling into the gun. The clip is the strip of ammunition exposed from the gun, but it is feeding the magazine which is inside the gun.
Often times someone is shooting a semi-automatic pistol in a movie and you hear them say “I’m out of ammunition. Hand me another clip.” They really mean to say magazine.
A magazine is a device that holds rounds and feeds them into the chamber of the firearm. In a semi-automatic pistol, you insert the magazine in the bottom of the gun and it locks into place. It holds the ammunition until it is cycled into the chamber. They have a spring mechanism that pushes the ammo up into the chamber as the rounds are cycled. Magazines can be box, tubular or drum, but they can also be internal, inside the gun such as with a shotgun or SKS.
If the idea is still not clear for you, here is a link to a video to help clear things up as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF21sihEgOU
Teach them well!
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Hello there. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I enjoy sharing my adventures with others. Enjoy the stories and please share your comments.
I’m so glad you wrote this. When I used to give firearms instruction in the military and someone asked for “another clip” I would give them several paper clips and tell them that should work well in a firefight, but I would suggest using a “mag” instead…
Paper clips! OMG! That’s a great one!
Good info, learned something tonight.
Great post! Thanks for clarifying the difference.
Thank you Hedy. I hope it helps.
Thats one of the first things they taught us in the Military. Only Military weapons that use Clips were M1 Garands and 40 mm Bofors.