Quote:
Originally Posted by jyl
I think the Garand rifle used stripper clips too?
Just thinking around. Gun design is stagnating. Everyone's polymer striker fired looks like everyone else's and they all look like Glocks. Everything else is a clone of a 101 year old autoloader or an even older wheel gun.
It is possible that modern pistols are so perfect that there is nothing left to do. But I don't believe it.
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The Garand uses an eight round "en bloc" clip. It's inserted from above, past the open bolt, and held down slightly while the bolt release is pressed. If you don't do it right, the result is a painful little reminder to get it right next time, known as "Garand thumb". The clip is actually ejected after the last round is fired, allowing the bolt hold-open to raise up and hold the bolt open, and making room for the next clip.
The M-14 is just a Garand modified to accept the more modern clip that is inserted from the bottom and does not eject with the last round fired. It also has a shorter bolt stroke (.308 vs. .30-'06) to facilitate full auto fire, which proved to be useless in such a light arm with such a powerful chambering.
Stripper clips suck. One of the worst parts about using them is that you have to look down at the rifle to use them - they can't easily be used by feel, like modern clips that insert from the bottom. They bend and bind easily, their rails are easily deformed, and cartridges fall out of them too easily. Fun to play with, but definitely not anything for any kind of serious use.
Oh, and handgun development reached its zenith in 1873. It's been all downhill since.