What's a clip or magazine?

[Colorado Osprey]

I know that many a person has a pet peeve on a person calling a removable magazine a clip... but does military training calling the removable object that loads a gun with ammo a magazine make them the ultimate authority?


Most agree that a clip is ammo in a devise that loads a magazine.
An example is a stripper clip to load a non-removable magazine like used in the German Mauser,M1917 or M1903A3.
Another example would be the clip that is inserted into the internal magazine on an M1 Garand.

Now here is where I think the definition gets a little vague.
In military history a magazine is where ammo or supplies for ammo is stored for use.

A clip is a means of transporting ammo to the magazine...either internal or external.

Here is where I think there is a problem with the definitions.

In the case of a 1911 the grip is where ammo is stored to be shot. This area would by definition be an internal magazine and is loaded by a removable clip. Most would call this removable ammo transportation device a magazine... but by the definition it should be called a clip.

By some opinions any removable ammo devices that load internally into a gun should be clips.

Now picture a Thompson sub-machine gun. For the most part all of the ammo is contained externally in a removable device and it by definition should be called a magazine; as it is.

Here is where it gets grey again.
What happens when the ammo storage is partially internal and partly external.
A single stack 1911 with a 25 round ammo storage device and most of the ammo is outside the gun... does this by definition make it now a magazine or since it is partially enclosed is it a clip?
An M16/M4 or AR-15 with a 5 round ammo storage device is completely internal so by definition it should be called a magazine. Install one that is 10-40 rounds and it is mostly outside so should it be now called a clip? Many an arms or drill instructor would have a canary.

My point is that many have been indoctrinated by the military to call a removable ammo device a "magazine." If someone called a removable ammo device a clip and you believe that it should be called a magazine, quietly say to yourself.... they obviously were not in the military. It doesn't necessarily mean they are wrong.

Just because the military said it is so, does not always make everything so if you were not in or no longer in the military.


OK...fire away.. I'm looking forward to other opinions.

[RYAN50BMG]

I hope this isn't keeping you up at night.

[Wulf202]

Don't forget the garand's clip errr mag?

That screws with the definition of clip right there.

[iceman]

I think someone has too much time on their hands and way too much coffee

[VA_GUNZ]

Yo I be thowin clips in my gat!!!! My gat gots beemz too!!!!!!! My boy tyrone got a choppa

[Sucka]

Seems pretty universal on EVERY gun forum where a more seasoned user corrects a more novice user about magazine and clip.

Personally, i think it's BS. EVERYONE knows what a user is talking about when he says clip. I don't think it's necessary to correct the term EVERY single time it comes up.

Like the others have said, i wouldn't worry about it much. The trend will continue, and there's nothing you can do to stop it! lol

[car-15]

[spqrzilla]

The grip of the 1911 is a magazine housing but not a magazine.

Here's the clue, if it has springs, follower etc., it is a magazine. If it does not, i.e., it is not a complete magazine, it is a clip.

[Sixgun]

[Brandon]

Personally, i think it's BS. EVERYONE knows what a user is talking about when he says clip. I don't think it's necessary to correct the term EVERY single time it comes up.

Agreed!

I had a firearms instructor say it was a magazine, a clip is something women put in their hair. My brother had an instructor say it was a clip, a magazine is something you read. Who really cares.