One of the most often misused terms are gun magazines versus clips. It boils down to what feeds what.
Magazine vs Clip
A magazine feeds the gun, while a clip feeds the magazine.
Clips make loading multiple rounds into a magazine easier. And sometimes you have to use the clip for a gun to work.
One example is the “en bloc” clip for the M1 Garand, where you leave in the clip. It gives it the characteristic “ping” that you might have seen in movies such as Saving Private Ryan.
While for some other old school guns such as the Mosin Nagant or SKS you can use a stripper clip to feed the internal magazine.
Rarely, a rifle will make the process interesting by throwing you a curve ball… enter, the Hakim.
For regular modern guns with removeable magazines, there are still stripper clips and some fancier alternatives like the StripLULA for AR magazines.
Here’s a great video from Hickok45 which shows you a ton of different examples.
Who Really Cares?
Personally, I believe everyone who knows the difference also know what you’re talking about if you confuse one with the other.
But there’s still plenty of people out there (especially online) that will try to bite your head off if you say it wrong.
If that describes yourself… maybe try not being like that.
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It’s like when people call a “rifle” a “gun.” It’s mildly annoying because that’s not the correct term for that piece of equipment - especially if you are a former Marine 0311. I will only say something (in the teaching voice) if the person is new to shooting and wants to learn. Otherwise, life is too short to sweat the small stuff. I guess it also lets you know that person is not yet a member of the gun culture. Teach and don’t be a dick. Be safe. S/F. 4Mike12
"If that describes yourself… maybe try not being like that."
Word.
Even easier to distinguish: a magazine has a spring; a clip does not have a spring.
The same is true of a "follower." A magazine has a follower but a clip does not. But most non-gun people know what a spring is, though probably don't know what a follower is.
Do you know if Thordsen makes the stock for the AR10 or just for the 15's. Changing the stock to a standard on the AR10 still leaves the pistol grip which California doesn't allow.
I believe there's a stock adapter but it might only work for DPMS profile AR-10's. Let me know what you find out.