Channel: Brownells, Inc.

Category: Sports

Tags: receiver extensionar-15firearm technical termsparts of a gunfirearm terminologycorrect firearm terminologygun partscartridgebuffer tubeheckler & koch pronunciationbrownells smyth bustersclip vs magazineright terminologybullet

Description: Firearms are complex technical devices, with a lot of technical terms to identify their various parts. But is it necessary to be picky about using the exact "right" terms? Our intrepid Smyth Busters, Brownells Gun Techs™ Caleb and Steve, weigh in with their thoughts on this messy topic. Using the correct terminology is good and necessary up to the point where somebody nitpicks about terms just to "one up" another person. When Caleb was a gunsmith in a retail gun store, and a customer asked for a "clip" for his Glock, he helped the person find the right Glock magazine and didn't lecture him on the difference between a clip and a magazine. What IS the difference between a MAGAZINE and a CLIP? The guys explain. Clips and magazines hold cartridges (or rounds), not bullets. Technical terms certainly DO matter if you need ammo for your .38 Special revolver and order "bullets," only to be surprised when you get a box of bullets alone, without the rest of the cartridges! Then there is the AR-15 "buffer tube" vs "receiver extension" debate. Receiver extension is technically correct, but even pro gunsmiths like Steve and Caleb are OK with calling it a buffer tube. Turns out the myth is not busted - using the correct terminology DOES matter in many situations. But let's be tolerant when somebody uses the "wrong" term. Now, what is the correct pronunciation of Heckler & KOCH?