Proper Terminology

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

Hey All,

I'm new to this board, so I apologize if this is in the incorrect forum, but something that has bothered me about the terminology used recently.

Everytime I see the tv networks discuss guns, or especially see comments from the gun control crowd, they always use the word "clips".

Correct me if I am wrong, but I was always told the word "clip" was considered slang. Which I don't mind in conversation, but if one is to make an argument on a subject on national television, at least use the correct terms.

Or if not, why don't they instead of saying "a violent shooting happened this evening" they could simply say "a senseless 'cap busting' occurred today" Or perhaps discuss a mugging as "some fool gettin' smacked up".

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but I never see ads for surplus "AR-15 Clips" and I sure didn't buy "Wilson Combat Clips" for my Kimber.

This shows once again they are only playing into the ignorance of the masses instead of taking a potentially legitimate issue and making a valid argument. I'm not saying I agree, but I can respect a valid argument.

I would like to see what you all have to say.

[Guest Hyaloid]

[SkWaShDeM]

Clips are what you use to feed an M1 Garand, or a military bolt action rifle that uses stripper clips. You may also find stripper clips for other military rifles because it's the best way to feed large amounts of ammo into an "evil" high capacity magazine.

When the ignorant reporters speak of clips however, they are speaking of magazines. The Brady Bunch is where they get their information, and the Brady Bunch doesn't know the difference anyway.

[Guest Len]

From: http://www.midwayusa.com/guntecdictionary.exe/home

Magazine: A storage, transportation and feeding container for ammunition. Magazines can be fixed within the firearm, detachable, curved, storing anywhere from two rounds to upwards of a hundred. Magazines are generally spring-powered; that is, a spring pushes from the baseplate against the follower, pushing the cartridges upward to the feed guides, where a cartridge is stripped off and chambered one at a time. Modern usage interchanges 'magazine' with 'clip' *(although it shouldn't, as its technically WRONG!!!)

Clip: Technically, a clip is any type of cartridge-holding device used to load magazines (either fixed or detachable). Common usage, though, frequently interchanges the term 'clip' with 'magazine'. The first successful cartridge clip was invented by Austrian engineer Ferdinand von Mannlicher. Also known as a 'stripper clip' in military jargon, and as a 'charger' in England.

*: My 2 cents, the rest is from the Gun Tec Dictionary of Shooting Terms.

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

I forgot about stripper clips. I wondered where the term came from. Thanks for clarifying that.

Then in that case. They can ban all the "high capacity clips" they want. I'll just load my magazines by hand. :-)

[towerclimber37]

for all the brady bunch knows, a stripper clip is a short segment of video with a naked girl in it!

Remember..the principle proponent of the new gun ban doesn't even know what a barrel shroud is..

I submit though, that even if they can't get the terminology right, they'll find something new to ban..until all our freedoms are taken and we live in a socialist state.

I don't LIKE them. I don't like their ideas that they are "culturally forward" and we're poor bass ackward hillbillies/rednecks/genetic throw backs.

If it weren't for clear minded individuals like ourselves..these people would have been darwinned out of existence a LONG time ago.

I can't remember who..but someone used the word Eloy...from the HG wells book "the time machine".

that puts it about right..those who aren't watchful of our socialist leaning liberal party are in danger of the same fate of those Eloy.

so stock up on magazines for your HDRs and your HDPs!!!

just my 2 cents.

[Guest jackdog]

Stripper clip yeah that could be fun

[SkWaShDeM]

I don't LIKE them. I don't like their ideas that they are "culturally forward" and we're poor bass ackward hillbillies/rednecks/genetic throw backs.

You forgot that they are "enlightened" and we're just "ignorant"

[Guest macho999]

The problem with being culturally forward is I don't think our culture is moving forward. Compare the time when kids wanted to be an astronaut when they grew up to today when kids dream of one day being a pimp. So take being a throw-back or being behind the times as a compliment.

[SkWaShDeM]

The problem with being culturally forward is I don't think our culture is moving forward. Compare the time when kids wanted to be an astronaut when they grew up to today when kids dream of one day being a pimp. So take being a throw-back or being behind the times as a compliment.

Macho... It's not politically correct to call them pimps anymore. Now they are "Escort Service Managers"

[TGO David]

The problem with being culturally forward is I don't think our culture is moving forward. Compare the time when kids wanted to be an astronaut when they grew up to today when kids dream of one day being a pimp. So take being a throw-back or being behind the times as a compliment.

"The Decline of Western Civilization"

[Guest bob-e]

I always say clip--it's a habit a can't shake even when my USMC brother slaps me in the head. ouch

[Marswolf]

Stripper clips are also called chargers.

http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/clip.html has a good overview.

[Guest Len]

The problem with being culturally forward is I don't think our culture is moving forward. Compare the time when kids wanted to be an astronaut when they grew up to today when kids dream of one day being a pimp. So take being a throw-back or being behind the times as a compliment.

Interesting thought. I think its easy to confuse the forward march of technology with the forward march of culture. And technology has great promise to free us from the mundane so we can focus on personal, social, and cultural enlightenment. But technology has its dark side and negative potential as well. (Any tool can be used for good or evil purposes.)

Humanity may be much more technologically advanced than we were even 5 years ago, and that has opened up HUGE horizons of knowledge for us that we could not even dream of 100 years ago, but all that does not make us more "culturally forward" than say the great philosophers of 2000 years ago or of the Enlightenment, or of the "big ideas" our Founders had.

For every kid dreaming of the next big leap forward, the next great philosophy or play or poem or novel, there is one hoping to be a porn star or pimp. Not sure that's moving the human race forward...

(Of course, I personally feel there is a need for porn stars and pimps in society, don't get me wrong... )

I think I'm moving just a tad off topic, so I will hit the "submit" button now.

[kckndrgn]

Len, I'll get us back on subject

Unfortunatly it's not just the reporters and anti's that get it wrong. Working at a range I hear "clip" everyday when people are referring to a magazine. "Do you have an 'clips' for a springfield XD?" Nope, but we have a couple of magazines over here if that is what you would like. No, I don't say that, but I do say, "our magazines are over here, let me look and see if we have one".

Yeah, if I could get paid a bonus every time someone said "clip" instead of "magazine" or "mag" I would be rich.

[Guest CrazyLincoln]

Just to throw something else in the mix, I heard Paul Helmke from the "Brady Bunch" refer to them as "high-power clips".

If such a thing exsisted, how would that work? Electric mag loader? Perhaps it would convert my "scary" 5.56 round into a 20mm as it enters the chamber! I want one!

Perhaps while we're banning things in fantasy land, we can ban unicorns with horns over 16". I hear gang members like to ride them on drive by's....

[Guest Len]

Len, I'll get us back on subject

Yeah, if I could get paid a bonus every time someone said "clip" instead of "magazine" or "mag" I would be rich.

Amen brother. We like to make fun of the ignorant anti-gunners, but many times we dont even say the right things ourselves. Those who live in glass houses...

Anyway, education is the key, and that includes educating gun owners to be knowledgable and responsible and safe as well as educating the general public on the role of firearms in society, the 2A, etc.

Dang, almost back on topic! Must be losing my touch...

[towerclimber37]

Just to throw something else in the mix, I heard Paul Helmke from the "Brady Bunch" refer to them as "high-power clips".

CL, Paul Helmke isn't worried about proper terminology. He's only emoting.

He makes these speeches not for their accuracy, but to play upon the emotions of the audience.

Logic and reason don't enter into any of their speeches. If the use of a farsical term like "high power clips" gets him the emotional response he wants, then what does he care if it is NOT a valid use of terminology, or even if such a thing doesn't exist?