Mags or Clips?

[tonelar]

I don't know if I'm alone on this but these "Clip / Mag" graphics just bug. How about if the "terminology nazis" just PM'd their clever chart to the offending poster, instead of posting it in the thread.

Wouldn't that yield the same results?

[Librarian]

I don't know if I'm alone on this but these "Clip / Mag" graphics just bug. How about if the "terminology nazis" just PM'd their clever chart to the offending poster, instead of posting it in the thread.

Wouldn't that yield the same results?

No. And yes.

No, because the pictures/graphics are aimed at all the other folks who read the thread.

On the other hand, yes, because while I quite agree that terminological inexactitude is a problem, this particular battle is unwinnable.

[corrupt]

It is unwinnable and I never really gave a ****, or corrected anyone. If you go to a gun shop and hear people asking to buy bullets or clips, the employees know what they want and they just sell 'em.

It's kind of like Mac-10s. They're really M-10 and M-11s, but nobody really gives a sh__. Or how about the difference between rollerblades (the brand) and in-line skates (what they're really called). Who cares, I know what people are talking about even though they're technically incorrect.

I understand that loving something like shooting means knowing correct nomenclature, but lots of people just don't care I think. For you and me, we might be super anal about specific intricacies because we're sick and tired of people like Feinstein trying to curb our rights through inane legislation when they don't even know what the "shoulder thing that goes up" is called... and yet they're banning it when they don't even know the correct name. Or if you're in to OLLs, there's all kinds of very specific nomenclature... hell, certain weapons are banned specifically by name... but a lot of people don't even know these things, or care...

[okcorrell]

No. And yes.

No, because the pictures/graphics are aimed at all the other folks who read the thread.

On the other hand, yes, because while I quite agree that terminological inexactitude is a problem, this particular battle is unwinnable.

Along with this whole magazine/clip debacle we now have to realize that this situation seems "unwinnable" because people are OK with being ignorant and knowingly calling things the wrong name!

Bottom line, they are different so refer to them correctly.

[caoboy]

You had to make a thread about people posting a picture that bugs you in threads eh?

How about this? Marlin calls their 795 magazine a Clip-mag.


And secondly, it's a fricken magazine, clips go into them.

A magazine assists in loading the round, while a clip holds the round for the magazine to load.

Quit cryin' about it and get it right, and no one would post that picture anymore.

[Librarian]

Along with this whole magazine/clip debacle we now have to realize that this situation seems "unwinnable" because people are OK with being ignorant and knowingly calling things the wrong name!

Bottom line, they are different so refer to them correctly.

As caoboy points out, Marlin calls their magazines clip-mags. Similarly, Remington calls them magazine clips.

Either the manufacturers don't know the distinction, or, IMHO more likely, they have recognized that common (sloppy) usage is so widespread that they must make an accommodation to it.

I prefer the more accurate terms. Education is a Good Idea. Getting annoyed by it is just bad for your blood pressure.

[CALI-gula]

Neither.

These are all clearly called a "bullet thing that goes up."





.

[wilson_wwsc]

Unwinnable is not a word.

No. And yes.

No, because the pictures/graphics are aimed at all the other folks who read the thread.

On the other hand, yes, because while I quite agree that terminological inexactitude is a problem, this particular battle is unwinnable.

[Librarian]

Unwinnable is not a word.

And not all clips are magazines. Your point?

[CenterX]

Unwinnable is not a word.

Sure it is - are you the authority on what makes a word? NOPE!

And now that we have had 3 presidents in a row make up new words - it has precedence and it can not be reversed. Didn't the kids say - get over it a few years back?

So, Clip vs Mag will be the same issue as Pistol.

Is Pistol only a semi-auto or can it also be a revolver?

It all depends on where your language base comes from.

I like mater for tomato but totally cringe at tater for potato.

Pistol is both a semi-auto and a revolver and a single shot gun that can be held in one hand.

unwinnable is pretty regularly used by the younger set at work.

[Librarian]

Oh....wikipedia....because its on there, we know it must be true!

because of course its just a bastion of airtight arguments and factual accuracy....

Fine. Since this is a thread about precision in technical language, and I agree that 'language' requires an agreed upon set of symbols for successful communication, allow me to rephrase.

Given the widespread misuse of the terms "clip" and "magazine" by the general public, aided by the usage shown by manufacturers and reinforced by Hollywood, an effort to change that linguistic behavior is very unlikely to be successful.

Active efforts to make such a change are, in my opinion, simply wasted; passive efforts, such as using the terms correctly whenever possible, should be taken as satisfying in themselves

'Unwinnable' is shorter, is constructed in a recognizable English-language pattern (UN + verb + ABLE, generally resolving to 'not possible to <verb>'), and is evidence the language is growing by the creation of new words.

[Milsurp Collector]

--ancient Chinese proverb