Magazines

In repeating firearms, the magazine is the place that stores the ammunition that has not been fired. When you work the action, a cartridge or shotshell is picked up from the magazine and placed in the chamber ready to be fired.

• Magazines are designed with a spring and follower that push against the cartridges or shells to move them into the action. When checking a magazine to make sure it’s empty, you must be able to either see or feel the follower; if you cannot see or feel the follower, there may be a cartridge or shell jammed in the magazine, which can be dangerous. Tubular magazines require close attention to make sure a cartridge or shell is not jammed in the magazine.
• Magazines may be detachable or fixed.
  • Detachable magazines allow you to remove extra ammunition from the firearm simply by removing the magazine. These include box-type magazines.
  • Fixed magazines require the ammunition to be removed manually from the gun itself. These include tubular, hinged-floorplate, and revolving magazines.