Clip vs. Magazine: What’s the Difference Between the Two?

Clip vs. magazine is one of the most commonly confused terms in the gun industry and gun community.

It’s funny how often people mix up “clip” and “magazine” when chatting about guns and loading ammo into pistols and rifles. We’ve all heard it before and maybe even said it wrong ourselves.

But don’t worry — we’re to clear things up for you so that you understand the difference between a clip vs. magazine.

Let’s break it down nice and simple: clips hold ammo, while magazines feed ammunition into the gun. Pretty straightforward when you think about it, right?

Now, you can impress your buddies next time this topic comes up at the range or during game night, and you know the difference between a magazine and clip. But if you want to go a little deeper, let’s continue on with this topic.

Key Takeaways

• Clips hold ammunition, while magazines are used to load cartridges into guns.
• Magazines have a body, spring, and follower. Clips are simpler metal pieces that put ammunition into a magazine.
• We use clips to load magazines quickly. Magazines push rounds into the gun chamber.
• Movies and TV often mix up clips and magazines, spreading wrong info.
• Using the right terms for clips and magazines helps with gun safety and clear talk as a gun enthusiast.

Defining the Terms of a Clip and a Magazine

Let’s clear up some gun lingo between clip vs. magazine. We’ll explain what a magazine and a clip are — and why mixing them up can make you look silly when it’s an important distinction between the two. Far too many people call a magazine a clip when loading ammo into a gun.

What is a Magazine?

A magazine is a container that holds ammo for a gun. It’s a key part of many firearms. We see magazines in pistols, rifles, and some shotguns. They come in two main types: detachable and internal.

Detachable magazines let you reload faster.

RELATED: Are ETS Magazines Better Than Standard Glock Magazines?

Magazines have three main parts: the body, spring, and follower. The body holds the rounds. The spring pushes them up. The follower sits on top of the spring.

Some guns, like lever-action rifles and tube-fed shotguns, use tubular magazines. These are long and thin, built into the gun itself.

What is a Clip?

A clip is a simple device that holds ammo. It’s not a part of the gun itself. We use clips to quickly load rounds into a gun’s magazine.

Clips come in different types. Stripper clips, en bloc clips, and moon clips are common.

Moon clips, for example, are more prevalent with wheel guns (revolvers) to help quickly reload rather than putting your ammo in one at a time.

The M1 Garand rifle famously uses en bloc clips. These hold eight rounds and load directly into the gun.

Unlike magazines, clips don’t have a body, spring, or follower. They’re just guides to help load ammo faster.

We often see clips mixed up with magazines in movies and TV. But they’re not the same thing. Clips are smaller and simpler. They don’t stay in the gun while shooting. Once the ammo is loaded, we remove the clip.

It’s like the difference between a fork and a plate. The fork (clip) helps you put food on the plate (magazine). But you don’t eat off the fork!

Key Differences Between a Clip vs. Magazine

A clip vs. magazine look different and work differently. Clips load ammo into guns fast, while magazines hold and feed ammo into the gun.

1. Physical Structure

Magazines and clips look quite different. A magazine is a box-like container that holds ammo. It has a spring inside to push rounds up. Most magazines attach to or fit inside a gun (think along the lines of an AR-15 or any pistol where the magazine seats inside the handle of the frame).

Clips are simpler — just flat pieces of metal that hold bullets in a row. They’re used to quickly load rounds into a magazine. We’ve seen some folks mix these up, but now you know better! The physical differences between a clip vs. magazine are clear once you see them side-by-side.

2. Functionality and Usage

We use clips to load magazines fast. Clips hold rounds together. We slide them into the mag. This saves time.

Magazines feed ammo to the gun. They push rounds into the chamber. Some mags are fixed inside the gun.

RELATED: Should I Carry a Spare Magazine with My Carry Pistol?

Others we can take out. Detachable mags (like a Magpul Pmag) allow us to reload quickly. We just pop out the empty one and put in a full one. It’s way faster than loading one round at a time.

Common Misconceptions and Clarifications of a Clip vs. Magazine

Many folks mix up clips and magazines in movies and TV shows. This mix-up can lead to some funny moments for gun buffs watching at home. That’s why it’s important for you to know the difference and use correct terminology when using a clip vs. magazine or vice versa.

1. Misuse of Terms in Popular Culture

We see clips and magazines mixed up all the time in movies, TV, and games. It’s a common goof that makes gun folks roll their eyes. Picture an action hero yelling, “I need a new clip!” when they really mean magazine.

Oops! This mix-up isn’t just in fiction. News reports often get it wrong, too. They’ll say “high-capacity clip” when talking about magazines. These mistakes spread wrong info and can confuse new shooters.

It’s like calling all sodas “Coke” — close, but not quite right.

Gun newbies often copy what they hear in pop culture. They might ask for a “clip” at the gun store when they need a magazine. This can lead to some funny moments… and maybe a few eye rolls from the staff.

But it’s not just rookies who slip up. Even some long-time gun owners use the terms wrong. It’s a habit that’s hard to break. We think it’s time to set the record straight and use the right words.

2. Importance of Correct Terminology for Gun People

Using the right words matters in gun talk, especially with clip vs. magazine. It’s not just about sounding smart. It’s about safety and clear communication. Gun newbies often mix these terms up.

Even some old-timers get it wrong! But knowing the difference between clip vs. magazine is important. It makes us more credible when we chat with other gun enthusiasts and shows you know at least a little bit about what you’re talking about.

So, let’s get it right and have a chuckle at those who continue to use it incorrectly!

Know the Difference Between a Clip vs. Magazine

We’ve cleared up the clip vs. magazine mix-up. Clips load magazines. Magazines feed guns. Knowing this helps us talk about guns in a more informed manner. Does it change how you shoot? No. But it helps prevent you from sounding uneducated on firearms.

RELATED: Discrete Carry Concepts — Throw Away All Your Plastic Clips!

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