Clip (ammunition)
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A clip is a device that is used to store multiple rounds of ammunition together as a unit, ready for insertion into the magazine of a repeating firearm. This speeds up the process of loading the firearm as several rounds can be loaded at once, rather than one round being loaded at a time. Several different types of clips exist, most of which are made of inexpensive metal stampings that are designed to be disposable, though they are often re-used.
The term clip is commonly used to describe a firearm magazine, generally a specific type of magazine known as a detachable box magazine, or even a firearm belt. These uses of the term are incorrect; a clip is used to load a magazine, while a magazine or a belt is used to load a firearm.[1]
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[edit] Types of clips
[edit] En bloc clip
Several rifle designs have relied on an en bloc clip to load the firearm. In this method, the cartridges and clip are inserted as a unit into a fixed magazine within the rifle, and the clip is usually ejected from the rifle upon firing or chambering of the last round.
The en bloc clip was developed by Ferdinand Mannlicher for use in his M1885 rifle. Other rifles utilizing the en bloc clip include the French 1890 Berthier Calvary Carbine, the Steyr-Mannlicher M1895, the M91 Carcano, and, perhaps most famously, the U.S. M1 Garand.
The major shortcoming of the en bloc design that prevented further adoption is that it is typically difficult, or in some cases impossible, to "top off" or refill a partially-loaded magazine without first cycling all unfired rounds through the action.
[edit] Moon clip
A moon clip is a ring-shaped piece of metal designed to hold a full cylinder of ammunition (generally 6 rounds) together as one package. Therefore, instead of loading or extracting one round at a time, a full cylinder of ammunition or spent cases can be loaded or extracted at once, expediting the loading process. A similar device known as the half-moon clip is designed to hold a half cylinder of ammunition (generally 3 rounds), two such clips being necessary to fully load the cylinder.
The modern moon clip was devised shortly prior to World War I (circa 1908). This had the effect of simplifying logistics during wartime, allowing modified British Webley Revolvers to use U.S. .45 ACP ammunition; revolvers are designed to be used with rimmed cartridges, while moon clips allow the use of rimless cartridges designed for semi-automatic pistols.
Half-moon clips were used in the US M1917 revolver to allow rimless .45 ACP cartridges to be used. Josserand and Stevenson (1972:143,263) have this as the origin of the half-moon clip. They explain that because the relatively new M1911 semi-automatic pistol could not be cranked out fast enough, the U.S. War Department asked Smith & Wesson and Colt to devise ways to use the M1911's .45 ACP cartridge (which, being an autopistol cartridge, is rimless) in their revolvers. S&W came up with the half-moon clip as the elegantly simple solution.[2]
Moon clips are generally made from spring grade steel, although plastic versions have recently been developed because sheet metal can permanently deform if bent, and hold the cartridges firmly enough that a special tool is generally used to insert and remove them. Unlike a speedloader, a moon clip remains in place during firing, and after firing, is used to extract the empty cartridge cases.
Moon clips may be even faster to use than a speedloader. Jerry Miculek, a top IPSC revolver shooter, has demonstrated the ability to fire six shots from a .45 ACP revolver, reload, and fire six more shots to the 6x11-inch A zone of an IPSC target at fifteen feet in under three seconds, including reaction time to the start signal. This feat was possible by using moon clips to allow quick and reliable ejection of the fired rounds, and a quick reload of all six chambers at once.[3]
[edit] Usage
Common revolver models that are manufactured to use moon clips:
- 9 mm Luger
- S&W Model 940
- Ruger SP101
- .38 Super
- S&W Model 627
- 10 mm Auto
- S&W Model 610
- .40 S&W
- S&W Model 646
- .45 ACP
- S&W Model 1917
- S&W Model 25
- S&W Model 625
Other revolver models such as the S&W Model 686 .357 Magnum can be modified by a machinist to utilize moon clips.
[edit] References
- ^ Speir, Dean: Clips are not Magazines!
- ^ Josserand MH, Stevenson JA: Pistols, revolvers, and ammunition. New York, Bonanza Books (a division of Crown Publishers), 1972, p. 143, 263.
- ^ Petty, Charles E. (2004). "How fast is fast? Gentleman Jerry Miculek tackles McGivern's record". American Handgunner July-August.
[edit] Suggested reading
- Hogg, Ian V.; Weeks, John S.: (2000) Military Small Arms of the 20th Century, 7th Edition; Krause Publications, ISBN 0-87341-824-7
