Author Topic: Tapping a clip on your helmet (Read 2880 times)

sullie363 · « **on:** April 20, 2005, 01:57:59 PM »

Why do troops tap clips against their helmets? As far as I can tell, it's either for luck or to tell if there's bullets in the clip.

Nilsen · « **Reply #1 on:** April 20, 2005, 02:00:22 PM »

To make sure the rounds are properly set i the clip?

Raider179 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 20, 2005, 02:05:53 PM »

clear debris

JB73 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 20, 2005, 02:07:01 PM »

i thought it was to make sure the rounds we seated in the clip evenly and the proper place

didn't see nilsen's post lol

Heretik · « **Reply #4 on:** April 20, 2005, 02:15:06 PM »

I always figured it was to knock the dirt out. There's few things less fun than a fouled mag.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #5 on:** April 20, 2005, 02:35:14 PM »

I was taught to knock the clip to make sure the rounds are seated properly in the mag before shooting if the mag had been carried around before the use to prevent feed errors.

Raubvogel · « **Reply #6 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:10:29 PM »

In the M16 you want to make sure that the primer end of the round is firmly against the back of the mag. Otherwise you might get feeding issues. M16 mags suck.

Dago · « **Reply #7 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:15:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Raubvogel
In the M16 you want to make sure that the primer end of the round is firmly against the back of the mag. Otherwise you might get feeding issues. M16 mags suck.

Yup, basically sets the cartridge back, allows the nose end of the bullet to avoid dragging on the magazine front edge and to rise up properly allowing proper feeding.

Someone been watching Apocalypse Now?

dago

john9001 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:21:51 PM »

never had a feed problem with my M1 or M14, never shot one of them new fangled M16's.

Nilsen · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2005, 03:33:33 PM »

We did it with our AG3's too, but only when loading blanks.

JB35 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2005, 04:35:46 PM »

Training with the Texas Dept Criminal justice Death row , they explained that it was important to tap the clip to align the .223 bullets for proper feeding when chambering a round , due to the everyday of removing the rounds and replacing them to ensure you had 20.

rabbidrabbit · « **Reply #11 on:** April 20, 2005, 04:57:33 PM »

its not critical as in you could never do it and not have a problem but if I had the time giving it a quick whack to make sure the rounds seated uniformly in the clip is what I do. For that matter I tend to do it with any clip that stagger the rounds.

stantond · « **Reply #12 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:10:00 PM »

Two reasons,

1. to make sure the rounds are all aligned properly within the magazine. A jam is more likely if the rounds are not 'seated' correctly.

2. to distribute any ball powder that may have 'caked' or settled within each round casing.

While the second reason is probably not important in combat, it does provide for a more uniform burning of the powder and better accuracy.

Regards,

Malta

SFRT - Frenchy · « **Reply #13 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:10:30 PM »

In the French Fusiller Commandos, we used the same practice to make sure the the rounds where aligned properly.

Tumor · « **Reply #14 on:** April 20, 2005, 05:44:44 PM »

It's so you'll look cool in movies! (Along with a can of Copenhagen stuck in your helmet band).

Tumor