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Old 04-06-2012, 03:11 PM
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Smile Military Rifle Magazines / Pistol Magazines

Hi:
I have wondered why Military Rifle Magazines (M1 Carbine/M-16) allow loading by just pushing the round straight down singular or with a stripper clip, but Pistol Magazines must be loaded by pushing the round down at the magazines front and then sliding to the magazine's rear?
Jimmy
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Old 04-06-2012, 03:36 PM
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Magazines come in three basic types: Single column single feed (Colt 1911); double column single feed (Browning Hi-Power); and double column double feed (M1 Carbine).

A firearm using the double column double feed type magazine needs either dual feed ramps (one for each side) or a wider feed ramp. The magazine also needs to be wider at the top for the dual feed system. Very few pistols have used this system.

As the slide (or bolt) comes forward, it strips a round from the magazine, in the double feed system, the round is released almost immediately. In handgun design, the rounds feed path is controlled by the magazine feed lips for a much longer time so as to properly present the round to the feed ramp. The greater length of most rifle rounds makes this control unnecessary. This is not always the case, but covers a majority of firearms.

General consensus is that the extra machining, size, weight, or some combination of the three are responsible for this trend.

Hope this helps.

David

Last edited by dsbock; 04-06-2012 at 03:42 PM. Reason: Try proofreading before submitting!
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Old 04-06-2012, 03:44 PM
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There are two basic types of magazines in use. Single position feed is used in most hanguns, even double stack high capacity ones. In these the magazine lips are set to feed from a center position and this requires you to load by pushing each round under the feed lips. Double position feed mags are all double stack with a follower that allows each round to rise against alternate feed lips and to feed off one side then the other. While this system can be used with a handgun it rarely is, the only ones I can think of right now are pistol versions of long guns such as the "Enforcer" carbines and the "Thompson" pistols. I don't know why this is unless it is just easier to get a handgun (which has less mass in it's moving parts) to work as well with a double feed as a single feed.
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Old 04-06-2012, 05:43 PM
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Jimmy,
I think they do it to aggrivate us old timers with arthritis in our fingers. Give me a wheel gun with a side of ammo.
Larry
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Old 04-06-2012, 06:17 PM
BLACKHAWKNJ BLACKHAWKNJ is offline
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The only pistols I know of that use a stripper clip are the Mauser Broomhandle, the Spanish Astras that are Mauser Broomhandle inspired, the M1907 Roth-Steyr and the M1912 Steyr. The idea behind the stripper clip was to allow the soldier to quickly reload his rifle, while the designers of the civilian pistols probably gave that no thought. I note while Browning's earliest designs had fairly straight grips, the M1911 has a slanted one-and points better.
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Old 04-06-2012, 09:43 PM
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It's to make us old timers buy the Maglula speedloaders. I know I did, and wish I'd had it many years ago!
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Old 04-07-2012, 12:09 AM
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dsblock WINS!!!!
A knowledgeable, simple and complete answer.
Bravo Sir!!
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Field Researcher. IGC
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Old 04-07-2012, 10:43 PM
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Blackhawk NJ: I think the Mauser used a stripper clip because their rifles did. Perhaps this was a sales feature, or perhaps they didn't know any better in 1896. Of course, the Spanish pistols copied them.

The Roth-Steyr and Steyr-Hahn were primarily designed as cavalry weapons. If an infantryman drops his pistol magazine while reloading, he stoops down and picks it up; no big deal. If a mounted cavalry trooper drops his magazine, it's gone. A disposable means of loading, such as stripper clips make sense for horse cavalry. A lanyard loop on the base of the magazine, as on M 1911s until 1917, is a poor substitute.

Just my opinion, Further discussion welcome.
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1911, browning, carbine, colt, hi-power, m1917, military, model 16, model 1917, steyr, thompson, top-break, trooper

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