{"id":7275,"date":"2021-06-23T14:53:34","date_gmt":"2021-06-23T14:53:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=7275"},"modified":"2025-10-08T20:33:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T20:33:45","slug":"parts-of-a-gun-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/parts-of-a-gun-magazine\/","title":{"rendered":"Parts of a Gun Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Magazines run from simple to complex. It\u2019s one of the most important components of a firearm, but it\u2019s also prone to damage, wear, and misalignment. To have long-term success with your rifles, handguns, and shotguns, you need to understand the different parts of a gun magazine, as well as how they can impact your shooting.<\/p>\n

Parts of a Gun Magazine<\/h2>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

In short, there are four primary components that make up what most of us would call a common rifle or pistol magazine. We’ll go into each piece in detail but you should know those parts are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The Tube or Casing<\/li>\n
  2. The Spring<\/li>\n
  3. The Follower<\/li>\n
  4. Feed Lips<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Tube Magazine vs Box Magazine<\/h3>\n
    \"The
    The tube magazine on this Remington 12 gauge rides parallel to the barrel.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Magazines come in two basic types: box and tube.<\/p>\n

    Tube Magazine<\/h4>\n

    As the name implies, this is a simple tube where the cartridges are loaded front to back in a straight, single-file line. They are commonly found on shotguns, as well as lever-action rifles, but can also be found in rifles, especially .22-caliber rifles.<\/p>\n

    Box Magazine<\/h4>\n

    These are the magazines that hold cartridges vertically, feeding the rounds upward. They can hold the rounds in a single-file line (usually called a single-stack) or they can be a double stack, where the rounds are staggered on top of each other. Double-stack magazines can hold more, although not necessarily double the amount.<\/p>\n

    Gun Grammar: A Magazine is Not a Clip<\/h3>\n

    Another important point to discuss is the difference between a magazine and a clip. Although similar and often confused, they are different components of a weapon. A magazine is a box or tube that can be loaded with ammunition and reloaded again. As we have mentioned, handgun and rifle magazines<\/a> are used in a wide variety of firearms.<\/p>\n

    A clip, however, is a thin strip of metal that can hold cartridges before they are loaded into a magazine or firearm. They are sometimes reusable, but not always.<\/p>\n

    Click here for a deeper explanation on magazines vs. clips<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Parts of a Gun Magazine<\/h2>\n

    1. Tube\/Casing<\/h3>\n

    \"The<\/p>\n

    This is the body or shell of the magazine. Made from a sturdy, hard material, either a metal or hard plastic, the casing creates the shape of the magazine. The casing can either be attached, like most tube magazines, or detachable, like most box magazines.<\/p>\n

    Essentially, the casing holds all the cartridges in place. They should hold the cartridges with a snug fit, but not so tight that the round can\u2019t move towards the chamber. The casing also hold the other internal components, including the spring and follower.<\/p>\n

    Many box magazines have holes and numbers so you can count how many rounds have been loaded.<\/p>\n

    2. Spring<\/h3>\n

    \"The<\/p>\n

    This is the spring at the far end of the magazine that pushes the rounds towards the chamber. The spring should give a firm pressure upward or back towards the chamber, but the pressure should not be so strong that you can\u2019t load rounds. Springs are usually made from steel or a steel variation.<\/p>\n

    This is a component that often needs to be replaced or fixed, as it is constantly under pressure and does a lot of work when loading and discharging rounds. However, springs can usually tolerate years of consistent use, assuming you\u2019re not firing hundreds of rounds every day.<\/p>\n

    Replacement springs are available from a wide variety of manufacturers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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    \n 1 - Magpul PMAG 30 AR\/M4 Gen 3 30rd. Magazine Black <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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    \n 1 - Magpul PMAG P30 Gen M2 AR15\/M16 Black 30rd. Magazine <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n