Things New Gun Owners Must Know About Pistol Magazines

Learning how to use your firearm and attachments is a simple approach for every firearm owner to become more responsible. For seasoned gun owners, this may appear to be basic information, but it is beneficial for those who require it.

The most prevalent form of firearm possessed is a handgun; however, not all guns and magazines are created equal. The following are some fundamental facts concerning pistol magazines and how they work.

Basic Format of a Pistol Magazine

Body

A magazine's body is a pipe into which the bullets are loaded. A base plate or base pad is typically found at the bottom of the tube and can be extended to store more ammunition.

Spring 

A spring inside the tube maintains tension against the cartridges, pushing them up and out of the magazine and into the firearm's action.

Follower

A follower sits atop the spring. When the pistol magazine tube is empty, the follower keeps the spring contained, and it offers the rounds something solid to push against as the spring is squeezed.

Feed Lips 

The feed lips are the components at the top of the pistol magazine tube that help contain and steer the bullets when the action cycles and picks up the next cartridge.

When determining which handgun to purchase, it's good to experiment with the pistol magazines to determine how easy or difficult it is to sit in the gun (both empty and full). This is something to think about when choosing whether or not the firearm is right for you.

Things to Be Cautious About

A new pistol will usually arrive with one or two magazines. If you want to buy more magazines, make sure you know the make and model of your firearm so you can get the right ones. A little investigation will reveal whether you need to buy factory magazines or if decent aftermarket magazines are available.

Fitting of the Magazine 

Just because a magazine fits into the magazine well doesn't imply it's the right one for your gun. If the magazine is comparable to the one used by your weapon, it may even "click" into place and appear to fit. So, if you're borrowing a weapon or assisting someone with range prep, make sure you know which mags go with which pistol and that you're loading them with the correct ammo! Failure to do so could be hazardous.

Function 

When the slide is locked back, pistol magazines that are difficult to seat or require force may usually be inserted considerably more quickly. Try closing the slide around if you're having difficulties fitting a magazine in your pistol. To make it easier to place, you can also download the magazine.

Cleanliness 

Modern pistol magazines are durable and, if properly maintained, will serve the average user for the duration of their firearm ownership. However, keeping them clean and free of dirt and gravel and washing metal mags with a lightly oiled cloth after hot days on the range can help them last longer.

Understanding how your pistol works, regardless of the model, is an essential aspect of the gun ownership experience. Magazine management is a relatively straightforward aspect of handgun use, and learning about it will make you a more capable gun owner!