"Clip" vs. "Magazine" Gun Terminology
Calling a gun’s magazine a clip is a common mistake among new gun owners and shooters. And there are a lot of new gun owners right now. If you hear someone make this mistake in a gun shop or at the range, Rob Pincus urges you to refrain from pedantically correcting them about this terminology.
There will be opportunities for their firearms instructor to explain the difference to them and encourage them to use the two words properly. You, their fellow shooter, should let it go and say nothing about it. More new gun owners are a good thing and we should make them feel welcome in our community of defensive shooters, not embarrass them because they used a wrong word.
It seems everyone missed the whole point of the video. Rob was actually trying to see if anyone would catch the fact that he said “the magazine that holds the bullets”, which is, technically correct. But, a more correct way of saying it would be “the magazine that holds the cartridges”. He knows, of course, that the bullet is a component of the cartridge. Yikes, I think I’m becoming pedantic! What’s that thingy he was shoving the magazine into anyway? A handle? A grip? A magazine well? I’ve lost it.
My Dad was in the war in the Pacific in the Amphibious Corps from Guadalcanal to the entering of Japan. He was a competition shooter for quite a few years. His best friend was infantry with Patton all over Europe including the relief of Bastogne, also a competitive shooter. They used the terms interchangeably between a “clip” for a government model 45, or M1 carbine and a “clip” for a M1 rifle. The M1 clips were always “clips”, but the other weapons magazines could be called a clip (excluding 20mm) or magazine. I did not correct them.
LOVED THE LAST COMMENT!!!!
Nothing screams COD like an idiot calling someone out on terminology of a piece of equipment, it seems that people are more worried about others thinking they have some sort of secret knowledge due to their knowing the proper term for crap then anything else.
If you can see that their newbies I might “lead by example.” But. if their “Old hands” or should know better, I’ll leave it alone
Hey!!
I like the part in the video when he said to put it (mag or clip) into the “gunny thing”.
When I was new to the shooting sports I was glad to have someone correct me when I misused terminology. I wanted to learn about my new endeavor. I didn’t consider them to be asses unless they acted like an ass, and that usually had nothing to do with whether they were helping/correcting me or not. They were generally asses long before that … btw – what would you do if they misused up-range vs down-range?
ColdGripVA, I think the you touched on the main point of the video (as did some others). Simply put, it’s not that “correcting” is wrong it’s that “pedantic people” at the range are annoying (an opinion). There are “tactical” ways to inform people, meaning better, not right or wrong.
I laughed my ass off at this video. I thought it was a great vid. We all know these people. They are usually the one’s that bud into a conversation because they cant resist the urge to point out that they know something. They do it to feel better about themselves not really to educate.
I’m shocked someone would cancel a subscription because of something said in a comment and not the content provided by the subscription. Why take it on Rob Pincus?
That’s a whole new topic maybe Rob should do a video about, Should thin skinned people carry firearms?
Some people get the point of the video, some people don’t. And there are always those who flitter in to argue.
I think attention should be paid to the written line in the video’s description “With that in mind, Rob Pincus talks about how you should not react if you hear someone mistakenly use the word “clip” when you are on the range or at the counter in a gun store. ”
Nowhere in that sentence does the term ‘training’ appear. It specifically states (emphasis is mine) ” …when you are on the RANGE or AT THE COUNTER in a gun store.” Rob knows what he is talking about and many here agree. If this irks some folks so much, perhaps they are having a really bad day and they come to the internet to try to kick up a shit storm but fail miserably.
You nailed it! I think we can all agree that we are just sick of the know it alls at the range.
Just a quick question then. If the teminology is inconsequential when you can infer the actual meaning, then is it right or necessary to make the distinction when someone refers to a modern sporting rifle as an “assault weapon”? I mean, you did know what they actually meant, right?
Consistancy is important in sharing and discussing ideas and concepts – especially these days. Mislabeling and inaccurate defining often leads to the type of misconception and fallacy that is currently rampant in the media and on the left. More importantly, the uninformed middle ground get to be educated by these very sources, and it becomes an uphill battle from the start instead of fair, level and balanced discussion when these topics come up.
It’s most definitely necessary to use tact and discretion whenever addressing these issues, but a “you know what I meant” disposition is not necessarily the best solution in the long run.
Just my two cents…
Two different birds there, sir. I believe you’ve overstepped the bounds of the original video’s intent along with my comment. Your logic assumes I said something to mean that terminology is inconsequential. I did not discuss in my point above any sort of a “you know what I meant” disposition either. Let me reiterate, please. This video, this point being made is about not making an ass of yourself while at the range or gun counter when someone new to the gun world inadvertently calls a magazine a clip. This isn’t a training session at the range or in a gun store, so a detailed discussion isn’t what is being discussed. This video points out that there is no need to brow-beat a newbie over clip vs magazine while in a situation that does not call for it.
As for my personal opinion, I agree with most of what you are saying. As you can tell, I plainly despise people of the media, such as Piers Morgan, who twist and turn words of others to fit their agenda. Then, if they are proven incorrect, they run and hide while we stand & deliver.
Sorry if it seemed as such, as I wasn’t answering to any specific point, but rather the general flow of commentary from the video and responses. As to overstepping the bounds of the video’s intent, I don’t really think that’s the case. The video does start within a rather narrowly defined circumstance, but later moves into a much more generalistic reference to “anyone who says….and you know what it means, just let it go”. At that point, and this may very well be just my impression, he moved outside of the specific scenario and into a broad spectrum situational description.
I do agree whole-heartly that anyone that is looking to become involved in the shooting sports in any capacity should be fostered along, and not denigrated or condescended to. We were all new at some point, and most anyone that’s been around in the shooting sports for long enough has had the “opportunity” to be on the receiving end of such conduct.
Ultimately, I still believe that it comes down to tact and discretion. The objective, and I certainly agree with what I took to be Rob’s overall intent in this video, is not to alienate new shooters or anyone on the other side of the fence that has the potential listen and perhaps learn. I just don’t think that the “you know what they mean, so just let it go” policy is always the best way to deal with these situations.
There are definitely times where addressing something like poor nomenclature is both inappropriate and offensive. But there are also opportunities to educate (again – with tact and discretion) that I believe can both help the individual and also the community at large to better communicate.
Still, just my two cents…
Now, let’s say we were on a horrible media spinning show, and I’ll use that British bohunk, Piers Morgan as an example, and the interviewer talks about clips and assault rifles, THEN I say let’s calmly educate him again and again and again until he changes the subject and runs away.
In a training class, I would hope the instructor takes care of that on his or her own.
These are the times and places to take care of such matters.
And that’s my 3 cents worth. Together, we have a nickel. Yippee!
I get the point of the video. What you may not be understanding is (1) that people (myself included) are tired of being told don’t say “XYZ” because you might offend someone and (2) Rob is perpetuating the image of gun owners as ignorant impolite asses who don’t know how to address a stranger at the range or a gun counter. I certainly appreciated people who helped me out when I was new to the sport. I’m perfectly capable of being professional and polite and don’t really need a “Daddy” to remind me to use my manners. That’s my 5 cents … now you have a dime.
On your point 1) I agree. I don’t give two shits (or 1 diarrhea) about being politically correct. And your point 2) I agree somewhat. I don’t think it perpetuates any image of self respecting gun owners, such as you and me, as impolite asses.
It seems like you didn’t like the video and that’s perfectly fine. You have your opinion, which I agree with, and other’s have theirs. My gun handling was taught by drill instructors and fellow soldiers and God help us if we made a mistake.
I do understand that there are ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS some folks in any sport, politics, and so forth, that will be to the far left and far right. Unfortunately, there are idiots on both sides of every issue who just make it worse for the side they support.
(And my comment that you’ve replied to wasn’t a reply to your comment further up. My comment was just an addition to the overall conversation)
I understand. I wrote one before I saw yours. Thanks for the comments. I agree.
Hooah
IMHO, I think all Rob was saying is that there’s a time and a place for politely explaining the difference in a friendly manner (e.g. in a training course) and a time and place for not doing so, depending upon the situation and context. We gun owners should use the common sense and good judgment that the anti-gun crowd (including the media) does not use.
If I’m having a conversation with a newbie about handguns & rifles [especially when it comes to AR’s] and they misspeak and call a magazine a clip, if they are friendly and show genuine enthusiasm in learning about firearms …I have sometimes politely pointed out to them that clips are used to load magazines. Then explained that there are strips / clips that are used to load fixed & detachable magazines. I explain how for example military 5.56 rounds comes on strips and can be fed into a magazine using a stripper clip guide.. while some bolt rifles have fixed box magazines which are loaded through a open bolt. But I would never ever be condescending or sarcastic about it. Heck, before I went through basic training at 19 yrs old, I didn’t know what a stripper clip was or the difference between a magazine & a clip. We should exerciser tolerance & patience with others new to firearms.
I understand what you are saying David but this guy is suppose to be a firearms expert and basically said if they want to call them clips then let them. I think if you are training someone you should always teach correct terminology as well about the entire weapon but do it in a correct polite way
If training, then sure, let them know the difference. But, nowhere in this video or its description does it state this is to be done in training. At least I can’t find mention of training.
Are you kidding me?there is a difference that why they have different names. I guess if someone calls the barrel a trigger that’s ok too.. I will be deleting this subscription . I enjoyed it up until now. How about calling it what it is. If you tell me to hand you a clip I’m gonna look for a clip not a mag.PDN you really surprised me with this one.. Most of your videos are just common sense anyways.. Bye bye
Wow, you are an ass clown! Seems to me that you were just looking for a reason to leave. You are missing the point of the video, which is to not be an ass hole to people that are new.
Johnathon, you call me “an ass clown”because I express my opinion.you are exactly what the guy is talking about, name calling and being an ASS. I’m sure you call them clips cause you are an ass clown rodriguez
I could call them whatever I want, but having to be right and correct someone who is brand new to guns and shooting just so you can show how cool you are, does indeed make you an ass. But with you leaving, I won’t have to read your wonderful comments anymore. Bye!
I believe he (Ron) was replying to Big Sexy. Look next to his name in the comment and you’ll see an arrow that points to another person’s name. That is who the comment is being directed at.
So Jonathan, you are pro gun and all for the 2nd amendment but you are against freedom of speech?pull your head out of your ass mr gun expert. Who the hell is johnathan f Rodriguez anyways??
Wow, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that you got some strange hidden meaning from a simple comment of mine. You are making both the video above and my comments about something completely different than what they are clearly meant to be. Where did I ever mention anything about the first amendment? Where did I ever say that I was a gun pro? I can’t believe you are getting so worked up over someone who disagrees with you. I am sure you are even more fun to speak with in person! So thank you Big Sexy (who is Big Sexy anyway) for spreading your own strange agenda and misinterpreting very clear messages.
John boy, I didn’t mention one thing about the 1st amendment.. I made reference to the 2nd amendment.. Pull your head out of your ass (as stated before)and read my comment over again
Wow. That comment reminded me of Piers Morgan, which is not good. Wait, maybe Big sexy IS Piers Morgan. Or maybe this person (male? female?) just wants to stick around and be nonsensical after having said that they are leaving PDN. It’s so cute, I just went into a sugar coma.
BEST COMMENT EVER!!!!!! You just earned yourself a follower!
You and John boy must be blowing each other lmmfao
SO sad, BS, that since you lost the argument your last resort is to become over the top crude and just plain silly. Hopefully you are better at shooting than you are at debating.
I believe he (Jonathan) was replying to Big Sexy. Look next to his name in the comment and you’ll see an arrow that points to another person’s name. That is who the comment is being directed at.
nice flounce, pedanto boy.
You are obviously one of those pendantic jerks he referred to.There is obviously a difference between a barrel and a trigger; just as there is a difference between a decent individual and an asshole who thinks he is smarter than the average bear.
Good video.
.
BTW: I have a box of clips.
.
They’re for my Garand. LOL
in the classes I teach, I bring attention to both and explain the differences and after that I’ve haven’t’ had to correct anyone the class does it to themselves.
I think that is the perfect way to do it. I think, for the most part, this video is really just saying that you don’t have to be a rude ass when correcting someone.
At the risk of sounding like an idiot, what is the difference between a clip and a magazine? I’ve been Pro2A and a gun owner for 50+ years, I’ve always known there is a difference between the 2 but never dared ask. LOL
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Hogwash! If they are learning in a CCW or NRA class setting, they should learn proper nomenclature, since THAT is the moment to absorb data.
If they are in a class setting like the ones that you mention, then in that case yes, it would be appropriate to correct them. But just our of no where on the range is just annoying and pretentious.
Jonathan, I think there are few people who understand what Rob is exactly saying. Thanks for being one of them.
No kidding! I am amazed at how people can twist his words so dramatically. What he is saying is more than clear to me.
Where does Rob mention this as something to do in a training environment? I missed it, I guess.
Thanks durabo, at least you and me don’t have our head up our as like Jonathan.he is the most ignorant ass who thinks he knows everything. Actually he shouldn’t even be allowed around firearms lmao
Wow, B.S. so much hostility. I am not ignorant in any way. And for someone that is pro 2A, saying that someone shouldn’t be allowed around firearms…tisk tisk tisk. U mad bro?
Awww, I thought you were going to leave, Piers? ” …will be deleting this subscription… … Bye bye”
You don’t have to be so angry because you were pointed out to be wrong in numerous instances. It’s OK.
Sean and johnathon are lovers and are blowing each other.. What a bunch of FAGS lmao
@justken2u – Priceless!
Actually, any knowledge-based community will be peopled with a substantial percentage of allegedly knowledgeable but annoying folks who love to correct every perceived nit of incorrectitude. They are easy to spot because they usually start their dim elucidations with “Actually…” “Actually” actually means nothing.
Yeah,and Chris Knox. You just started your comment with “actually” so I guess that makes you one of them as well lmao
Man BS, (Big Sexy, not Bull Shit) (actually, you can take your pick) you are on one! Calm down bro!
Actually, that was the point.
Dem peeps is too parochial
Treat newbies like a joke-ial
‘stead o’ rockin’ dat colloquial
Wit uneducated folk-ial
So stop being a pedanticist
O’ ol’ time gun romanticist
Wit ammo, bullets o’ anythang
Da goes into dat gunny-thang
(thot I’d break down my man Robbo’s words for da fellahs from da hood)
Word.
There is a difference between educating and being pedantic. You and I agree, You don’t need to be a “condescending ass”. Colloquialisms can lead to confusion so when appropriate, educate in an open respectful way. I know I appreciate it when people take the time and interest to educate me if they’re not being a “condescending ass” while they’re doing it.
I think it depends on the circumstances and surroundings. Done right, you are simply educating someone who is new to shooting. You don’t have to be snarky, or an arse about it. As an instructor, it’s an opportunity to point out why one is called a “clip” and one a “magazine”. There is no reason to embarrass a new shooter, or student, over it.
I think your right, there is a time and a place to make those comments and it should be in private in a convertation not at the range infront of others. we dont need to embarass anyone, when we know what it is there are talking about
So it’s better to let a new shooter continue to use the wrong terminology then to teach them the correct? For instance they could call an ar15 an assault rifle and you know what they are taking about but you could explain to that person that it is not an assault rifle but a msr , or you could just let them continue.
Agreed! Same idiots who refer to “assault” rifles are the ones prone to refer to a “clip.”
Like Piers Morgan, who is probably the identity of Big sexy. I despise Piers for all his spinning buffoonery.
I HATE those people who have to correct everyone. Pedantic ass clowns are so annoying!
Roger that.