Clip VS Magazine

F

FUD

Moderator
I know that the proper term is 'Magazine' instead of 'clip' but I've noticed that when talking/teaching people with little firearms experience, using the term 'magazine' confuses them (even after it is explained to them) -- they think that you are talking about a 'periodical' such as "Guns & Ammo" (or somthing similar). And I find that I have to constantly redefine what I mean by 'magazine' by referring to is as a 'clip' so that people don't get confused.

Has anyone else noticed this and why do we call it a 'magazine' anyway; instead of a 'clip'?
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[This message has been edited by FUD (edited March 15, 2000).]
 
Hi, FUD,

There are some feed devices that sort of defy categorizing, but generally a magazine contains a spring and follower. A clip is used either to charge a magazine, which is why some are also called "chargers" or to enter and become part of the magazine.

Examples:

Magazines: M1911 type pistols; Lugers; Colt 1903, Beretta 92.

Clips (chargers): Mauser rifles; SMLEs; Russian Nagant; M14, SKS.

Clips (enter magazine): Mannlichers; M1 rifle.

Clips that can be used to load magazines off the gun: FAL, .30 Carbine.

Other types of feeding devices include gravity feed magazines, belts, link belts, disintegrating link belts, etc.

Jim
 
Give up the fight. the terms are so interchangeable that you find them used that way in gun sales things like Shotgun News or Gun List by the people in the business.
To be so pristine in termonology doesn't sell well. A clip/magazine are one in the same with the general public and the vast majority of shooters.
Most people will look at an entire cartridge and call it a "bullet." Of course that isn't correct. Improper names in guns is common. I gave up trying to teach the masses years ago.
Try pistol vs revolver. There's another one.
 
Amen to that pluspinc! While I am careful (most of the time) with the issue it comes down to the fact that not many people care, Period. Fud, Amigo don't sweat it!

Peace
:cool: IZZY
 
The word "magazine" comes, indirectly, from an Arabic word meaning "storehouse". The ordnance use of the term to mean "an area for the storage of powder or ammunition" probably pre-dates the publishing use of the term to mean "a publication consisting of a collection of articles".

A clip is a device that holds rounds of ammo together to facilitate their insertion into a firearm or its magazine. A magazine is a device that feeds rounds into a firearm's chamber.

This distinction is being lost in popular usage, just as the masses use "bullet" or "shell" for "cartridge". (By the way, this confusion has given rise to a hilarious new term for "bullet": "bullet head"!!! :rolleyes: ) Since accuracy and precision in language are rightly suspected of indicating accuracy and precision in thought, and since such mental habits clash with the spirit of our times, we can expect the dumbing down of terminology to continue. In another generation we'll be sticking doo-hickies into thingamajigs, and shortly after that we'll simply grunt at each other as we roll around in our own filth.

Sigh... :D
 
The doohickie and thingamajig generation has already arrived. I overheard several youngsters at the shooting range last night!
 
Jim Keenan:
--------------------------------------------
"Clips (chargers): Mauser rifles; SMLEs; Russian Nagant; M14, SKS."
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Mr Keenan, the M14 should not be included here as it fires from a Magazine.

Take care :)

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by FUD:
...I have to constantly redefine what I mean by 'magazine' by referring to is as a 'clip' so that people don't get confused.[/quote]


FUD,

hmmmm...If people chose to refer to a cat as a dog, it's pretty obvious that they've got it mixed up; most everybody can agree that the "mistake" is so apparent and others will probably not accept it as being correct.

But if they are learning about firearms, I think it's better to use terms correctly so as to not lend any credibility to the imprecision of others. After all, they are learning, and sometimes the process of learning includes unlearning old habits.

I can still remember a student in my Army ROTC calling a magazine a clip. I thought the sarge would take his head off. After that, I bet the guy (and all the others in the class) never had any trouble with the terms. Well, this isn't the Army, buy at least we can teach by example, can't we?

Joe
 
So, if someone is, shall we say, intellectually challenged, or at least misinformed, do we lower ourselves to that level, or do we strive (probably in vain) to help raise them to ours. I for one, choose not lower myself for anyone. Call it what it is, not what some misinformed soul "THINKS" it is.
-Spyder
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pluspinc:
Give up the fight. the terms are so interchangeable <snip> A clip/magazine are one in the same with the general public and the vast majority of shooters. <snip> Improper names in guns is common[/quote]

Just because those terms are (incorrectly) used by the general public/majority of shooters does not make it right nor does it change the definition of the proper term. :mad:

I readily admit to being a gay individual!! Look up the proper definition not the one in current use by the general public!!

------------------
Schmit
GySgt, USMC(Ret)
NRA Life, Lodge 1201-UOSSS
"Si vis Pacem Para Bellum"

[This message has been edited by Schmit (edited March 15, 2000).]
 
SMLE'S SHOULD WAY NOT BE ON THE CLIP LIST. SMLE STANDS FOR SHORT MAGAZINE LEE ENFIELD. IT HAS A DETACHABLE 11 ROUND MAGAZINE.

SKS' CAN BE FITTED WITH A REMOVEABLE MAGAZINE SO THIS MAY NOT BE A GOOD EXAMPLE EITHER. DDT
 
OH NO, THE OLD "CLIP vs MAGAZINE" DEBATE IS BACK!" :eek:

Uh guys, you might wanna do a search on this topic. This one has been around the barn one time too many as it is. And it generally ain't pretty.

BTW: just for the sake of argument. The SMLE, SKS and M-14 can all be loaded with the use of "stripper clips" :rolleyes:

Best to let sleeping dogs lie.


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Politically, Fashionably and Aerodynamically Incorrect!
 
SMLE rifles have a ten (11?) round magazine that can be charged with common 5 round clips. SKS- Usually a 10 round magazine that is charged with 10 round clips. Even the M1 has a magazine. It is an internal 8 round magazine that is loaded by inserting a loaded clip.
Is there a weapon that uses clips, but does not have a magazine? I can't think of one.
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>To be so pristine in termonology doesn't sell well. A clip/magazine are one in the same with the general public and the vast majority of shooters.[/quote]

The terms "automatic", "semi-automatic", and "full automatic" aren't very well known to the general public either. We all know the problems that causes us in the media. Use the correct terms, and teach the correct terms to others.

bkm...

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Anyone worth shooting, is worth shooting twice...
 
People who use the word "clip" are people who learn gun handling from hollywood movies and rap music lyrics.

They're the same people who think that a bullet is the entire cartridge.

A bullet is a projectile. You know, the lead thingy that flies out of the tube thingy
when the trigger thingy is pulled and the
horrible noise happens.

Sometimes the bullet thingy gets cold and has to put on a jacket.... in warmer weather it can get by with a semi-jacket.

Its MAGAZINE...
 
Hi, Guys,

DorGunR, the M14 has a detachable magazine which can be loaded from 5 round clips. That is what the clip guide is for. Same with the SMLE. The original MLE was intended to be issued with spare mags, but when HM forces found out the cost, they issued the rifle with one magazine and issued the ammo in chargers (clips).

Jim
 
Jim Keenan:
Having been in the Army from 1950 to 1972 I've fired several thousand rounds with the M-14, but I don't recall loading the magazine using a stripper clip. But then the memory is the second thing to go. ;)
Take care. :)

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"Lead, follow or get the HELL out of the way."

[This message has been edited by DorGunR (edited March 16, 2000).]
 
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