I too feel that it is a minor annoyance when people interchange "clip" and "magazine" but to me is not really an issue, if it was a friend I would correct and educate them but anyone else I would just let it go and know what they meant to say. It's not worth the effort trying to correct everyone when both terms will get the job done in a pinch, just IMO.

Originally posted by BigDave-AR... if it was a friend I would correct and educate them but anyone else I would just let it go and know what they meant to say. It's not worth the effort trying to correct everyone when both terms will get the job done in a pinch, just IMO.

It's definitely a pick-and-choose type of battle. Nine times out of ten I wouldnt bother to correct anyone because it doesnt matter to me what they call what. They could say they are loading their cheeseburger into the bun for all I care.

When I would correct somebody is a) if they are using the wrong term with some sort of pompous authority and b) if I think that pointing out the correct term could genuinely lead to more teachable moments which would hopefully make the student a better gun owner all around like with some hip-hop doofy kid or some fumbling newbie who doesnt look very confident handling a firearm. Here we probably have a nice ice-breaker that could lead to real instruction as long as I dont come off like an ass and shout "hey, moron that's not a clip you idiot!!" That approach doesnt help anybody.

But if some old guy in the next stall over at the range used "clip" when he meant "mag" I wouldnt bother. He just doesnt care so I wouldnt either.

During my time in the military, I have fired a variety of weapons. The old Lee Enfield .303 had a 5 round fixed mag that was reloaded from the top of the breach by a removeable clip. Later I moved to the 7.62 SLR, 7.62 LMG, these both being fed by 20 round removeable mags. I retired before the issue of the SA80.

So yes, as far as I am aware, they are two seperate entities.

Originally posted by thisguyrighthere

Originally posted by BigDave-AR... if it was a friend I would correct and educate them but anyone else I would just let it go and know what they meant to say. It's not worth the effort trying to correct everyone when both terms will get the job done in a pinch, just IMO.

It's definitely a pick-and-choose type of battle. Nine times out of ten I wouldnt bother to correct anyone because it doesnt matter to me what they call what. They could say they are loading their cheeseburger into the bun for all I care.

When I would correct somebody is a) if they are using the wrong term with some sort of pompous authority and b) if I think that pointing out the correct term could genuinely lead to more teachable moments which would hopefully make the student a better gun owner all around like with some hip-hop doofy kid or some fumbling newbie who doesnt look very confident handling a firearm. Here we probably have a nice ice-breaker that could lead to real instruction as long as I dont come off like an ass and shout "hey, moron that's not a clip you idiot!!" That approach doesnt help anybody.

But if some old guy in the next stall over at the range used "clip" when he meant "mag" I wouldnt bother. He just doesnt care so I wouldnt either.

I completely agree with that, if the person is pompus about it or seems like they could genuinely learn from it I will take the time to try and educate them but with the vast majority of people these days it is not worth the breath or effort sadly. Lol that approach has been know to wake a few dopey people up.


It's like trying to convince tuners that there is no such thing as "Nawz" NOS is a company and is meant to be said as N-O-S not NAWZ, that always drove me insane but hey there idiots and it will take more than my words to break them off idiotic habits.

I got to say I am really happy that some people learned something new!
To the others that know but dont care, you should.
Take pride in knowing the specifics of the weapons you handle, when you know your subject matter you will gain peoples respect as they can understand your not just spouting nonsense like " Toss me dat 31 round CLIP dawg".
After all, you ARE in the weapons forums

Originally posted by TasteTheTruth
I got to say I am really happy that some people learned something new!
To the others that know but dont care, you should.
Take pride in knowing the specifics of the weapons you handle, when you know your subject matter you will gain peoples respect as they can understand your not just spouting nonsense like " Toss me dat 31 round CLIP dawg".
After all, you ARE in the weapons forums

I assure that it is far from a matter of not caring, I do care and if they show a genuine interest in learning and keep an open mind I will be glad to teach them the right terminology. Being a realist I will not waste my breath/energy on someone who does not want to or can't learn. as this is not an issue of terminology that could result in a safety hazard I do not see the big deal in letting it slide. Now if this a matter of someone trying to shoot a 7.62x39 round in a weapon chambered for 7.62x51 I will promptly correct them in the most efficient way possible even if it comes of as harsh to protect them from a potentially dangerous situation

Originally posted by eNumbra
...
The two words have all but become interchangable in common usage, lay persons don't know the difference and those that do realize when someone is making the mistake and understands what the mean anyway. Is it annoying? sure. Is it really worth any bother? not really.

^^It still all boils down to this.

There are a vast number of misconceptions in all walks of life. One more severe example would be that people are constantly portrayed to be "sucked out" of airplanes or space ships. In reality they are blown out from the higher into the lower pressure atmosphere. Unlike the clip-magazine conflict, this is actually a relevant difference.

Most of the time this is nitpicking. The most extreme form are the Marines (or more often their fanboys) with their allergy not be written in lower case letters or *ghasp* being called lowly "soldiers".

In reality it is just not relevant 99.9% of the time and for 99.9% of people.