Magazine (firearms)

{{Short description|Ammunition feeding device of a firearm}} {{Distinguish|Magazine (artillery)}}

[[Image:9mm pistol magazine.jpg|thumb|right|A staggered-column [[9×19mm Parabellum|9×19mm]] [[Browning Hi-Power]] pistol [[#Box|box magazine]]. The top image shows the magazine loaded and ready for use, while the lower image shows it unloaded and disassembled.]] [[File:FBI Special Agent loading rounds into a magazine at SWAT New Operator Training School in San Juan, Puerto Rico.webm|thumb|Loading of small arms ammunition into a magazine.]]

A '''magazine''', often simply called a ''mag'', is an [[ammunition]] storage and feeding device for a [[repeating firearm]], either integral with the gun (internal or fixed external) or detachable. The magazine functions by holding several [[cartridge (firearms)|cartridges]] within itself and sequentially pushing each one into a position where it may be readily loaded into the [[gun barrel|barrel]] [[chamber (firearms)|chamber]] by the firearm's moving [[action (firearms)|action]]. The detachable magazine is sometimes colloquially referred to as a "[[Clip (firearms)|clip]]," although this is technically inaccurate since a clip is actually an accessory device used to help load ammunition into the magazine or cylinder of a firearm.<ref name="nraila-firearms-glossary">{{cite web|url=http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FirearmsGlossary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718225409/http://www.nraila.org/issues/FirearmsGlossary/ |archive-date=2011-07-18|title=NRA Firearms Glossary|publisher=[[National Rifle Association of America]]|access-date=2008-06-26}}</ref><ref name=thegunzone>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegunzone.com/clips-mags.html|title=Gun Zone clips vs. magazines|publisher=The Gun Zone|access-date=2008-06-26|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720154512/http://www.thegunzone.com/clips-mags.html|archive-date=2008-07-20 |last=Speir |first=Dean}}</ref><ref name=Handgunnersglossary>{{cite web |url=http://www.mcsm.org/gloss.html|title=Handgunner's Glossary|publisher=Handguns Annual Magazine, 1994|access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref>

Magazines come in many different shapes and sizes from integral [[tubular magazine]]s on [[lever-action]] and [[pump-action]] rifles and shotguns that may hold more than 5 rounds to detachable [[#Box|box magazines]] and [[drum magazine]]s for [[automatic rifle]]s and [[light machine gun]]s that may hold more than 50 rounds. Various jurisdictions ban magazines over a certain capacity, often 5 or more rounds.

==Nomenclature==  With the increased use of [[semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] and [[automatic firearm]]s, the detachable magazine became increasingly common. Soon after the adoption of the [[M1911]] pistol, the term "magazine" was settled on by the military and firearms experts. Although the term "[[Clip (firearms)|clip]]" is often used  to refer to detachable (never fixed) magazines, this usage remains a point of strong contention.<ref name=chauchat>{{cite book |title=Provisional Instruction on the Automatic Rifle, Model 1915 (Chauchat) |url=https://archive.org/details/provisionalinst00deptgoog |author=United States Army, American Expeditionary Force |year=1917|publisher=Reprinted by the ArmyWar College }}, translated from the French edition, 1916</ref><ref name=m1911>{{cite book |title=Description of the Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, Model of 1911 |url=https://archive.org/details/descriptionauto00statgoog |author=United States Ordnance Dept. |year=1917|publisher=Govt. print. off. }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Annual Reports of the Secretary of War |author=United States War Dept |year=1907}}</ref> The defining difference between a clip and a magazine is the presence of a feed mechanism, typically a spring-loaded follower, which a clip lacks. Whereas a magazine consists of four parts: a spring, a spring follower, a body, and a base. Whereas a clip may be constructed out of a single continuous piece of stamped metal and may contain no moving parts. Examples of clips include ''moon'' clips for (e.g., [[.38 Special]] and [[.357 Magnum]]) [[revolver]]s; ''stripper'' clips, as those used in association with [[speedloader]]s for modern military (e.g., [[5.56×45mm NATO]] and [[7.62x51mm NATO]]) rifles; and ''en bloc'' clips for older [[M1 Garand]] (e.g., [[.30-06 Springfield]]) military rifles.<ref name=thegunzone /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://saami.org/Glossary/display.cfm?letter=M |title=Magazine |publisher=SAAMI |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409022919/http://www.saami.org/Glossary/display.cfm?letter=M |archive-date=2008-04-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://saami.org/Glossary/display.cfm?letter=C |title=Cartridge Clip |publisher=SAAMI |access-date=2008-06-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409022859/http://www.saami.org/Glossary/display.cfm?letter=C |archive-date=2008-04-09 }}</ref><ref name="nraila-firearms-glossary" />

==History== {{More citations needed section|date=May 2026}} The earliest firearms were loaded with powder and a lead ball in paper, and to fire more than a single shot without reloading required multiple [[Gun barrel|barrels]], such as in [[pepper-box]] guns, [[double rifle|double-barreled rifle]]s, [[double-barreled shotgun]]s, or multiple [[Chamber (firearms)|chambers]], such as in [[revolver]]s. The main problem with these solutions is that they increase the bulk and/or weight of a firearm, over a firearm with a single barrel and/or single chamber. However, many attempts were made to get multiple shots from loading a single barrel through the use of [[superposed load]]s.<ref name=sawyer3>{{cite book |title=Firearms in American History, volume III |author=Charles Winthrop Sawyer |year=1920 |publisher=Cornhill Company, Boston}}{{page needed|date=October 2012}}</ref> While some early repeaters such as the [[Kalthoff repeater]] managed to operate using complex systems with multiple feed sources for ball, powder, and primer, easily mass-produced repeating mechanisms did not appear until self-contained cartridges were developed in the 19th century.

===Early tubular magazines=== [[File:Henry Rifle Loading pos.JPG|thumb|Loading sleeve open, three Henry Flat cartridges, compare with .44 WCF round]] [[File:Spencer rifle diagram.png|thumb|Diagram of the Spencer rifle showing the tubular magazine in the butt]]

The first successful mass-produced repeating weapon to use a "tubular magazine" permanently mounted to the weapon was the Austrian Army's [[Girandoni air rifle]], first produced in 1779.

The first mass-produced repeating firearm was the [[Volcanic Repeating Arms|Volcanic Rifle]] which used a hollow bullet with the base filled with powder and primer fed into the chamber from a tube called a "magazine" with an integral spring to push the cartridges in to the action, thence to be loaded into the chamber and fired. It was named after a building or room used to store ammunition. The anemic power of the [[Rocket Ball]] ammunition used in the Volcanic doomed it to limited popularity.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}}.

The [[Henry repeating rifle]] is a [[lever-action]], [[breech-loading]], tubular magazine-fed [[repeating rifle]], and was an improved version of the earlier Volcanic rifle. Designed by [[Benjamin Tyler Henry]] in 1860, it was one of the first firearms to use self-contained [[metallic cartridge]]s. The Henry was introduced in 1860 and was in production until 1866 in the United States by the [[New Haven Arms Company]]. It was adopted in small quantities by the [[Union Army]] in the [[American Civil War]] and was favored for its greater firepower than the standard issue [[carbine]]. Many later found their way Westward and was famed both for its use at the [[Battle of the Little Bighorn]], and being the basis for the iconic [[Winchester rifle|Winchester lever-action repeating rifle]], which is still in production to the present day.<ref name=navalenc>{{cite book |title=A Naval Encyclopædia |url=https://archive.org/details/cu31924030750768 |year=1880 |publisher=L. R. Hamersly & Co.}}</ref> The [[Henry rifle|Henry]] and [[Winchester rifle]]s would go on to see service with a number of militaries including Turkey. Switzerland and Italy adopted similar designs.<ref name=navalenc />

The second magazine-fed firearm to achieve widespread success was the [[Spencer repeating rifle]], which was designed by [[Christopher Miner Spencer]] in 1860, also saw military service during the [[American Civil War]]. The Spencer used a tubular magazine located in the butt of the gun instead of under the barrel and it used [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]] metallic cartridges. The Spencer was successful, but the rimfire ammunition did occasionally ignite in the magazine tube and destroy the magazine. It could also injure or kill the user.

The new [[bolt-action]] rifles began to gain favor with militaries in the mid-1880s and were often equipped with tubular magazines. The [[Mauser Model 1871]] was originally a single-shot action that added a tubular magazine in its 1884 update. The Norwegian [[Jarmann M1884]] was adopted in 1884 and also used a tubular magazine. The French [[Lebel Model 1886 rifle]] also used 8-round tubular magazine.<ref>Military Small Arms Of The 20th Century, 7th Edition, 2000 by Ian V. Hogg & John S. Weeks, p.179-180</ref>

Tubular magazines remain in common use on many types of shotguns, including some rifles.

===Integral box magazines=== [[File:Rifles1905-2.jpg|thumb| 1905 Military Rifles magazines. '''1 & 2''': Mosin–Nagant M1891 '''3 & 4''': Lebel M1886 '''5 & 6''': Gewehr M1888 '''7 & 8''': Mannlicher M1888 '''9 & 10''': Lee–Metford M1888 '''11 & 12''': Dutch-Mannlicher M1895 '''13 & 14''': Mauser M1893 '''15''': Krag–Jørgensen M1886 '''16''': Schmidt–Rubin M1889]]

The military cartridge was evolving as the magazine rifle evolved. Cartridges evolved from large-bore cartridges (.40 caliber/10 mm and larger) to smaller bores that fired lighter, higher-velocity bullets and incorporated new [[Smokeless gunpowder|smokeless propellants]]. The [[Lebel Model 1886 rifle]] was the first rifle and cartridge to be designed for use with smokeless powder and used an 8 mm [[wadcutter]]-shaped bullet that was drawn from a tubular magazine. This would later become a problem when the Lebel's ammunition was updated to use a more aerodynamic pointed bullet. Modifications had to be made to the [[centerfire]] case to prevent the [[spitzer (bullet)|spitzer]] point from igniting the primer of the next cartridge inline in the magazine through recoil or simply rough handling.<ref name=eb1911 /> This remains a concern with lever-action firearms today.

Two early [[#Box|box magazine]] patents were the ones by [[Rollin White]] in 1855 and William Harding in 1859.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c1wWAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA72|title=Abridgments of the Specifications Relating to Fire-arms and Other Weapons, Ammunition, and Accoutrements: Printed by Order of the Commissioners of Patents|date=27 October 1870|publisher=George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode, pub. at the Great seal patent office|page=72}}</ref> A detachable box magazine was patented in 1864 by the American Robert Wilson. Unlike later box magazines this magazine fed into a tube magazine and was located in the stock of the gun.<ref>{{cite web |title=R.Wilson Patent Model For A Breechloading Rifle |url=https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/cowans/r-wilson-patent-model-for-a-breechloading-rifle-1225313 |website=Bidsquare |access-date=24 March 2026}}</ref><ref>Jaroslav Lugs. A complete review of firearm systems and their histories.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US45105|title=Improvement in self-loading fire-arms|website=Google.com|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> Another box magazine, closer to the modern type, though non-detachable, was patented in Britain (No. 483) by Mowbray Walker, George Henry Money and Francis Little in 1867.<ref>{{cite book |last=Westwood |first=David |date=2005 |title=Rifles: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact |url=http://docslide.us/documents/03-rifles-an-illustrated-history-of-their-impact.html |location=US |publisher=ABC-CLIO |page=94 |isbn=978-1851094011}}</ref>

[[James Paris Lee]] patented a box magazine which held rounds stacked vertically in 1875,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hl592r&view=1up&seq=972&q1=Lee,+James | title=Patents for inventions. Abridgments of specifications relating to fire-arms, ammunition, &c. Division I. Fire-arms and similar weapons ... Printed ... Pt.2. }}</ref> 1879 and 1882, and was first adopted by Austria in the form of an 11mm straight-pull bolt-action rifle, the [[Mannlicher M1886]], possibly the first serially produced rifle with a box magazine. It also used a cartridge clip which held 5 rounds ready to load into the magazine.<ref name=eb1911>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle= Rifle |volume= 23 |last= Seton-Karr |first= Henry |author-link= Henry Seton-Karr | pages = 325–336 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Chamber's Encyclopaedia: A Dictionary of Universal Knowledge |url=https://archive.org/details/chambersencyclo05unkngoog |publisher=W. & R. Chambers |year=1891 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/chambersencyclo05unkngoog/page/n744 720]–721}}</ref>

The bolt-action [[Krag–Jørgensen]] rifle, designed in Norway in 1886, used a unique rotary magazine that was built into the receiver. Like Lee's box magazine, the rotary magazine held the rounds side-by-side, rather than end-to-end. Like most rotary magazines, it was loaded through a loading gate one round at a time, this one located on the side of the receiver. While reliable, the Krag–Jørgensen's magazine was expensive to produce and slow to reload. It was adopted by only three countries, Denmark in 1889, the United States in 1892,<ref name=krag>{{cite book |title=Description and Rules for the Management of the U.S. Magazine Rifle and Carbine |author=United States Army Ordnance Department |year=1898 |page=36}}</ref> and Norway in 1894.

====Clip-fed revolution==== [[File:Clip M1-SKS.JPG|thumb|Comparison of M1 Garand ''en bloc'' clip (left), and SKS stripper clip (right)]] {{See also|List of clip-fed firearms}}

A clip (called a ''charger'' in the [[United Kingdom]]) is a device that is used to store multiple rounds of ammunition together as a unit, ready for insertion into the magazine or cylinder of a firearm. This speeds up the process of reloading the firearm as several rounds can be loaded at once, rather than one round being loaded at a time. Several different types of clips exist, most of which are made of inexpensive metal stampings that are designed to be disposable, though they are often re-used.

The first clips used were of the ''en bloc'' variety, developed by [[Ferdinand Mannlicher]] for the Mannlicher M1886 rifle and first adopted by the [[Austro-Hungarian Army]], which would be used during the first world war in the form of the [[Mannlicher M1895]], derivatives of which would be adopted by many national militaries. The Germans used this system for their [[Gewehr 1888|Model 1888 Commission Rifle]], featuring a 5-round ''en bloc'' clip-fed integral box magazine.<ref>Military Small Arms Of The 20th Century, 7th Edition, 2000 by Ian V. Hogg & John S. Weeks, p.184</ref> One problem with the ''en bloc'' system is that the firearm cannot be practically used without a ready supply of (mostly disposable) clips. [[Paul Mauser|Paul]] [[Mauser]] would solve this problem by introducing a stripper clip that functioned only to assist the user in loading the magazine quickly: it was not required to load the magazine to full capacity. He would continue to make improved models of rifles that took advantage of this new clip design from [[Mauser Model 1889|1889]] through [[Gewehr 98|1898]] in various calibers that proved enormously successful, and were adopted by a wide range of national militaries.<ref name=eb1911 /> In 1890 the French adopted the [[8 mm Lebel|8mm Lebel]] [[Berthier rifle]]s with 3-round integral magazines, fed from ''en bloc'' clips; the empty clips were pushed from the bottom of the action by the insertion of a loaded clip from the top.<ref>Military Small Arms Of The 20th Century, 7th Edition, 2000 by Ian V. Hogg & John S. Weeks, p.180</ref><ref name=hawkslebel>{{cite web |url=http://www.chuckhawks.com/8mm_lebel.htm |title=The 8x50R Lebel (8mm Lebel)|website=Chuckhawks.com |author=Chuck Hawks|access-date=2017-06-05}}</ref>

In the late 19th century, there were many short-lived designs, such as the [[M1895 Lee Navy]] and [[Gewehr 1888]], eventually replaced by the [[M1903 Springfield rifle]] and [[Gewehr 98]] respectively. The [[Russian Empire|Russian]] [[Mosin–Nagant]], adopted in 1891, was an exception. It was not revolutionary; it was a bolt-action rifle, used a small-bore smokeless powder cartridge, and a fixed box magazine loaded from the top with [[stripper clip]]s, all of which were features that were used in earlier military rifles. What made the Nagant stand out was that it combined all the earlier features in a form that was to last virtually unchanged from its issue by Russia in 1894 through [[World War II]] and with its sniper rifle variants still in use today.

====Magazine cut-off==== A feature of many late 19th and early 20th century bolt-action rifles was the magazine cut-off, sometimes called a feed interrupter. This was a mechanical device that prevented the rifle from loading a round from the magazine, requiring the shooter to manually load each individual round as he fired, saving the rounds in the magazine for short periods of rapid fire when ordered to use them. Most military authorities that specified them assumed that their riflemen would waste ammunition indiscriminately if allowed to load from the magazine all the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cruffler.com/trivia-February00.html |title=Firearms Technical Trivia: Magazine cut-offs |work=Cruffler.com |date=February 2000}}</ref> By the mid-20th century, most manufacturers deleted this feature to save costs and manufacturing time; it is also likely that battlefield experience had proven the futility of this philosophy.

====Final fixed-magazine developments==== One of the last new clip-fed, fixed-magazine rifles widely adopted that was not a modification of an earlier rifle was the [[M1 Garand]]. The M1 Garand was the first [[gas-operated]] [[semi-automatic rifle]] adopted and issued in large numbers as the standard [[service rifle]] of any military in the world. The M1 Garand was fed by a special eight-round ''en bloc'' clip. The clip itself was inserted into the rifle's magazine during loading, where it was locked in place. The rounds were fed directly from the clip, with a spring-loaded follower in the rifle pushing the rounds up into feeding position. When empty, the bolt would lock open, and a spring would automatically eject the empty clip with a distinctive pinging sound, leaving the rifle ready to be quickly reloaded. The [[M14 rifle]], which was based on incremental changes to the Garand action, switched to a detachable box magazine.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}} However, the M14 with magazine attached could also be loaded via 5-round stripper-clips.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rottman|first=Gordon L|title=The Book of Gun Trivia: Essential Firepower Facts|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZqtAAAAQBAJ|year=2013|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-78200-620-6}}</ref>

The Soviet [[SKS]] carbine, which entered service in 1945, was something of a stopgap between the semi-automatic service rifles being developed in the period leading up to World War II, and the new [[assault rifle]] developed by the Germans. The SKS used a fixed magazine, holding ten rounds and fed by a conventional stripper clip. It was a modification of the earlier [[AVS-36]] rifle, shortened and chambered for the new reduced power [[7.62×39mm]] cartridge. It was rendered obsolete for military use almost immediately by the 1947 introduction of the magazine-fed [[AK-47]] assault rifle, though it remained in service for many years in Soviet Bloc nations alongside the AK-47. The detachable magazine quickly came to dominate post-war military rifle designs.{{Citation needed|date=January 2023}}

===Detachable box magazines===  [[Image:M1-M14-M16-magazines.JPG|thumb|(left to right) [[M1 Garand rifle|M1 Garand]] 8-round [[Clip (firearms)#En bloc|''en bloc'' clip]], [[M14 rifle|M14]] 20-round magazine, [[STANAG 4179|M16 STANAG]] 20- and 30-round magazines]]

Firearms using detachable magazines are made with an opening known as a ''magazine well'' into which the detachable magazine is inserted. The magazine well locks the magazine in position for feeding cartridges into the chamber of the firearm, and requires a device known as a '''''magazine release''''' to allow the magazine to be separated from the firearm.<ref name=emb>{{cite book |last=Brown |first=Edmund G. |author-link =Jerry Brown |title =Handgun Safety Certificate |publisher =[[California Department of Justice]] |date =2009 |location =[[West Sacramento, California]] |page =52 }}</ref>

The [[M1885 Remington–Lee|M1879 Remington-Lee]] was the first rifle with a successful detachable box magazine design. Its followup, the [[Lee–Metford]] rifle, developed in 1888, also has a detachable box magazine, and the spare one could be optionally worn on [[Slade–Wallace equipment|soldier equipment]],<ref>{{cite book |first=Horse Guards |last=War Office |date=1888 |title=Instructions For Fitting The Slade–Wallace Equipment|url= |location= |publisher= |page=5 |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Shaw |first=Wilkinson J. |title =The Elements of Modern Tactics |publisher =K. Paul, Trench, Trübner |date =1890 |location =[[London]] |page =75 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first= |last= |date=1895 |title=The Canadian Magazine, Vol. V|url= |location= |publisher=Ontario Publishing Company, Limited |page=112 |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first= |last= |date=1898 |title=Navy And Army Illustrated, Vol. VI|url= |location=London |publisher=Hudson and Kerns, George Newnes, Limited |page=617 |isbn= }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title =Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall Yard, Vol. 47, Issue 1, by Royal United Service Institution |publisher =W. Mitchell |date =1903 |location =[[Great Britain]] |page =51 }}</ref> although with the adoption of the [[Lee–Enfield#Short Magazine Lee–Enfield Mk I|Short Magazine Lee–Enfield Mk I]] this became only detachable for cleaning and not swapped to reload the weapon.<ref>''Military Small Arms of the 20th Century'', 7th Edition, 2000, by Ian V. Hogg & John S. Weeks, p. 187</ref>

The first completely modern removable box magazine was patented in 1908 by [[Arthur William Savage|Arthur Savage]] for the [[Savage Model 99]] (1899),<ref>{{US patent|885868}}, April 28, 1908, Improved Magazine, Inventor: Arthur W. Savage.</ref> although it was not implemented on the 99 until 1965.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Life and Times of the Savage Model 99, One of America's Greatest Lever-Action Rifles |date=9 December 2020 |url=https://www.outdoorlife.com/story/guns/life-and-times-of-the-savage-model-99/ |access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> James Paris Lee's patent of November 4, 1879, Number 221,328 would have been before Arthur Savage's magazine.

Lee's magazine was also used on the Remington Lee model 1899 factory sporting rifle. Other guns did not adopt all of its features until his patent expired in 1942: It has shoulders to retain cartridges when it is removed from the rifle. It operates reliably with cartridges of different lengths. It is insertable and removable at any time with any number of cartridges. These features allow the operator to reload the gun infrequently, carry magazines rather than loose cartridges, and to easily change the types of cartridges in the field. The magazine is assembled from inexpensive stamped sheet metal. It also includes a crucial safety feature for hunting dangerous game: when empty the follower<ref>The "follower" is the sheet metal part between the last cartridge and the spring. It might be made of or coated with other materials such as nylon or Teflon.</ref> stops the bolt from engaging the chamber, informing the operator that the gun is empty before any attempt to fire.

The first successful [[semi-automatic pistol]] was the [[Borchardt C-93]] (1893) and incorporated detachable box magazines. Nearly all subsequent semiautomatic pistol designs adopted detachable box magazines.<ref name=emb/>

The Swiss Army evaluated the [[Luger pistol]] using a detachable box magazine in [[7.65×21mm Parabellum]] and adopted it in 1900 as its standard sidearm. The Luger pistol was accepted by the Imperial German Navy in 1904. This version is known as Pistole 04 (or P.04). In 1908 the German Army adopted the Luger to replace the Reichsrevolver in front-line service. The Pistole 08 (or P.08) was chambered in [[9×19mm Parabellum]]. The P.08 was the usual side arm for German Army personnel in both [[World Wars]].

The [[M1911 pistol|M1911 semi-automatic pistol]] set the standard for most modern handguns and likewise the mechanics of the handgun magazine. In most handguns the magazine follower engages a slide-stop to hold the slide back and keep the firearm out of battery when the magazine is empty and all rounds fired. Upon inserting a loaded magazine, the user depresses the slide stop, throwing the slide forward, stripping a round from the top of the magazine stack and chambering it. In single-action pistols this action keeps the hammer cocked back as the new round is chambered, keeping the gun ready to begin firing again.

During World War One, detachable box magazines found favor, being used in all manner of firearms, such as pistols, light-machine guns, submachine guns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles. However, after the [[War to End All Wars]], military planners failed to recognize the importance of automatic rifles and detachable box magazine concept, and instead maintained their traditional views and preference for clip-fed [[bolt-action rifle]]s. As a result, many promising new automatic rifle designs that used detachable box magazines were abandoned.

As World War II loomed, most of the world's major powers began to develop submachine guns fed by 20- to 40-round detachable box magazines. However, of the major powers, only the United States would adopt a general-issue semi-automatic rifle that used detachable box magazines: the [[M1 carbine]] with its 15-round magazines. As the war progressed the Germans developed the [[Sturmgewehr 44]] assault rifle concept with its 30-round detachable magazine. After WWII, automatic weapons using detachable box magazines were developed and used by all of the world's armies. Today, detachable box magazines are the norm and they are so widely used that they are simply referred to as magazines or "mags" for short.

===Double-stack magazines===

The earliest examples of double-stack, single-feed box magazine patents are by the Austro-Hungarian Karl Krnka in July 1888,<ref>{{US-patent|386638A}}</ref> and the English inventor Joseph James Speed of Waltham Cross in November 1888.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/000323093/publication/DE48096C?q=pn%3DDE48096C | title=Espacenet – search results | access-date=2023-10-30 | archive-date=2023-10-30 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030230634/https://worldwide.espacenet.com/patent/search/family/000323093/publication/DE48096C?q=pn%3DDE48096C | url-status=dead }}</ref> The earliest double-feed examples are by the British George Vincent Fosbery in 1883 and 1884,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Lsc6AQAAMAAJ&q=Fosbery+9454&pg=RA3-PA78|title=Patents for Inventions. Abridgments of Specifications, Volume 19|date=1896|publisher=Great Britain. Patent Office}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hl592s&seq=685&q1=3902&start=1|title=Patents for inventions. Abridgments of specifications relating to fire-arms, ammunition, &c. Division I. Fire-arms and similar weapons ... Printed by order of the Commissioners of patents.|date=1883–1886|publisher=Great Britain. Patent Office}}</ref> and Fritz von Stepski and Erich Sterzinger of Austria-Hungary in November 1888.<ref>{{US-patent|393406}}</ref>

One of the earliest rifles with a double-stack staggered-feed magazine is the 1889 [[Schmidt-Rubin]]. James Paris Lee is sometimes claimed to have invented the double-stack, staggered-feed detachable box magazine but he did not design one until 1892 for the Mark II [[Lee-Metford]], three years after the Schmidt-Rubin.

The first pistol with a double-stack, staggered-feed magazine was the [[Mauser C96]] although it was an integral design fed by stripper clips and located in front of the grip rather than in the modern configuration of in the grip. A detachable, double-stack staggered-feed box magazine was used in the Bergmann Mars pistol, designed in 1903, but it too was in front of the grip rather than in it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/handguns/handguns-en/germany-semi-automatic-pistols/bergmann-mars-eng/|title=Bergmann Mars|date=October 22, 2010}}</ref> The first detachable double-stack, single-feed magazine in the grip for pistols was probably the one patented by the American Elbert H. Searle in 1904 and adopted by [[Arthur William Savage|Arthur Savage]] though he did not apply it in practice to his designs until much later.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://gunmagwarehouse.com/blog/the-savage-model-1907-old-school-cool/ | title=Savage 1907: Not the 1905, and Not Even the 1911 | date=16 September 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US804985 | title=Firearm }}</ref>

During World War One, Schmeisser's Cone was invented in 1916 by [[Hugo Schmeisser]] which allowed high-capacity double-stack, single-feed box magazine using guns to function reliably although it wasn't implemented on any of his designs until after the war. The first reliable high-capacity double-stack, staggered-feed box magazine was developed by the American designer Oscar V. Payne for the [[Thompson submachine gun]] around the same time as Schmeisser's Cone.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://archive.smallarmsreview.com/display.article.cfm?idarticles=1791 | title=The Magazines }}</ref>

All cartridge-based single-barrel firearms designed to fire more than a single round of ammunition without manual reloading require some form of magazine designed to store and feed cartridges into the firearm's action. Magazines come in many shapes and sizes, with the most common type in modern firearms being the detachable box type. Most magazines designed for use with a [[reciprocating motion|reciprocating]] bolt firearm (tube fed firearms being the exception) make use of a set of feed lips which stop the vertical motion of the cartridges out of the magazine but allow one cartridge at a time to be pushed forward (stripped) out of the feed lips by the firearm's bolt into the chamber. Some form of spring and follower combination is almost always used to feed cartridges to the lips which can be located either in the magazine (most removable box magazines) or built into the firearm (fixed box magazines). There are also two distinct styles to feed lips. In a single-feed design the top cartridge touches both lips and is commonly used in single-column box magazines, while a staggered feed magazine (sometimes called "double-feed" magazine, not to be confused with the [[Firearm malfunction#Double feed (Type 3 Malfunction)|firearm malfunction]]) consists of a wider set of lips so that the second cartridge in line forces the top cartridge against one of the lips. The staggered-feed design has proven more resistant to jamming in use with double-column magazines than single-feed variants,<ref>Weeks, John, ''World War II Small Arms'', London: Orbis Publishing Ltd. (1979), p. 33.</ref> since the narrowing of a magazine tube to a single-feed induces extra friction which the magazine springs needs to overcome.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brVYI4-NILA|title=Ask Ian: Single Feed vs Double Feed Pistols|date=July 5, 2022|via=YouTube}}</ref> Some magazine types are strongly associated with certain firearm types, such as the fixed "tubular" magazine found on most modern [[lever-action]] rifles and [[pump action|pump-action]] shotguns. A firearm using detachable magazines may accept a variety of types of magazine, such as the [[Thompson submachine gun]], most variations of which would accept box or drum magazines. Some types of firearm, such as the [[M249 light machine gun|M249]] and other [[squad automatic weapon]]s, can feed from both magazines and belts.

===Tubular=== Many of the first [[repeating rifle]]s and [[shotgun]]s, particularly [[lever-action]] rifles and [[pump-action]] shotguns, used magazines that stored cartridges nose-to-end inside of a spring-loaded tube that typically ran parallel underneath the barrel or inside of the buttstock. Tubular magazines are also commonly used in [[.22 caliber]] [[bolt-action]] [[Rimfire ammunition|rimfire]] rifles, such as the [[Marlin Model XT-22|Marlin Model XT]]. Tubular magazines and centerfire cartridges with pointed ([[spitzer (bullet)|spitzer]]) bullets present a safety issue: a pointed bullet may (through the forces of recoil or simply rough handling) strike the next round's [[primer (firearm)|primer]] and ignite that round or even other rounds via chain ignition within the magazine. The [[Winchester rifle#Model 1873|Winchester Model 1873]] used blunt-nosed centerfire cartridges such as the [[.44-40 Winchester]]. Certain modern rifle cartridges using soft-pointed plastic tips have been designed to avoid this problem while improving the aerodynamic qualities of the bullet to match those available in bolt-action designs, therefore extending the effective range of lever-actions.

===Box=== [[File:Magazine Types Single Stack Double Stack Double Feed CC BY-SA 4.0 by Grasyl.svg|thumb|Left and centre: single-column, single-feed (aka ''single-stack, single-feed''), and double-column, single feed (aka ''staggered-stack, single-feed'') detachable box magazines. Right: double-column, double-feed (aka ''staggered-stack, staggered-feed'') design.]]

The most popular type of magazine in modern rifles and handguns, box magazines, arrange the cartridges in columns, either in a single-stack or in a double-stack or staggered ([[zigzag]]) fashion. In the latter case, the magazine is often referred to as ''double-column'' or ''double-stack'' that allows for greatly increased capacity compared to ''single-column'' or ''single-stack'' designs. As the firearm cycles, a spring-loaded follower drives the cartridges toward the end of the magazine, ultimately terminating in either a single position (center-feed) or alternating between left and right positions (staggered-feed). Box magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable: * An ''integral box'' or ''fixed box'' magazine (also known as a ''blind box'' magazine when lacking a removable floorplate) is built into the firearm and is not easily removable. This type of magazine is found most often on [[bolt-action]] rifles. An integral box magazine is usually charged through the action, one round at a time. Military rifles often use stripper clips, a.k.a. chargers, permitting multiple rounds, commonly with 5 or 10 at a time, to be loaded in rapid sequence. Some integral box magazines use ''en bloc'' clips that are loaded into the magazine with the ammunition and that are ejected from the firearm when empty. * A ''detachable box'' magazine is a self-contained mechanism capable of being loaded or unloaded while detached from the host firearm. They are attached via a slot in the firearm receiver, usually below the action, to the side of the action, or on top of the action. When necessary, the magazine can easily be detached from the firearm and replaced by another. This significantly speeds the process of reloading, allowing the operator quick access to ammunition. This type of magazine may be straight or curved, the curve being necessary if the rifle uses rimmed ammunition or ammunition with a tapered case. Detachable box magazines may be metal or plastic. The plastic magazines are sometimes partially transparent so the operator can easily check the remaining ammunition. Box magazines are often affixed to each other with clamps, clips, tape, straps, or built-in studs to facilitate faster reloading: see [[jungle style]].

There are, however, exceptions to these rules. The [[Lee–Enfield]] rifle had a detachable box magazine only to facilitate cleaning. The Lee–Enfield magazine did open, permitting rapid unloading of the magazine without having to operate the bolt-action repeatedly to unload the magazine. Other designs, like the [[Breda 30|Breda Modello 30]], had a fixed protruding magazine from the right side that resembled a conventional detachable box, but it was non-detachable and only reloaded by using 20 round [[stripper clip]]s.

Box magazines may come in straight, angled, or curved forms depending if the cartridges are [[Tapering (firearms)|tapered]] [[Rim (firearms)|rimmed/rimless]] or bottlenecked. Straight or slightly curved magazines work well with straight-sided rimless cartridges, angled magazines work well with straight-sided rimmed or rimless cartridges, and curved magazines work well with rimmed/rimless tapered cartridges.

Pistol magazines are most often found with single-stack or double-stack, single-feed, which may be due to this design being slimmer at the top, which can simplify the design of the pistol frame inregard to its grip thickness.

====Horizontal==== {{multiple image | footer = The P90's magazine has a capacity of 50 rounds and fits flush with the weapon's frame.<ref name="dockery2007">{{cite book |first=Dockery |last=Kevin |year=2007 |title=Future Weapons |publisher=Berkley Trade |location=New York |isbn=978-0-425-21750-4}}</ref> | width = | image1 = FNP90MAG02.jpg | alt1 = Photo of a loaded FN P90 magazine | width1 = 120 | image2 = FNP90MAG01.JPG | alt2 = Photo of a partially loaded FN P90 magazine | width2 = 175 }} The [[FN P90]], [[Kel-Tec P50]], and [[AR-57]] [[personal defense weapon]]s use horizontally mounted feeding systems. The magazine sits parallel to the barrel, fitting flush with the top of the receiver, and the ammunition is rotated 90 degrees by a spiral feed ramp before being chambered. The [[Heckler & Koch G11]], an experimental assault rifle that implements [[caseless ammunition]], also functions similarly with the magazine aligned horizontally over the barrel. Rather than being positioned laterally to the barrel like with the aforementioned examples, ammunition is positioned vertically with the bullet facing downward at a 90-degree angle relative to the barrel where it is fed into a rotary chamber before firing. The [[AR-57]], also known as the AR Five-seven, is an upper receiver for the [[AR-15 style rifle|AR-15]] rifle lower receiver, firing FN 5.7×28mm rounds from standard FN P90 magazines.

====Casket==== [[File:Evers M4 SMG mag.svg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Diagram of the Spectre M4 casket magazine]]

Another form of box magazine, sometimes referred to as a "quad-column" or "quad-stack",<ref name=Lake2023>{{cite web |last=Lake |first=David |date=February 15, 2023 |title=High Capacity Magazines: As Essential to Repeating Arms as the Trigger |url=https://smallarmsreview.com/high-capacity-magazines-as-essential-to-repeating-arms-as-the-trigger/ |website=Small Arms Review |location= |publisher= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250816063631/https://smallarmsreview.com/high-capacity-magazines-as-essential-to-repeating-arms-as-the-trigger/ |archive-date=August 16, 2025 |access-date=May 5, 2026}}</ref> a casket magazine can hold a large amount of ammunition.<ref name=magpul>{{cite web |author= |date=June 9, 2010 |title=Magpul Invents New Quad-Stack Magazine for ARs |url=http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2010/06/magpul-invents-new-quad-stack-magazine-for-ars/ |website= |location= |publisher=Accurate Shooter |access-date=June 5, 2017}}</ref> It is wider than a standard box magazine, but retains the same length. Casket magazines can be found on the [[Suomi KP/-31]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US2217848A/en | title=Cartridge case for firearms }}</ref> [[Hafdasa C-4]], [[Spectre M4]], [[QCW-05]] and on [[5.45×39mm]] AK rifle derivatives, and now the Kel-Tec CP33 as well. In 2009, [[Magpul]] was granted a patent for a high capacity, non-drum magazine,<ref name="magpul-pat">{{US patent|8061071}}</ref><ref name=magpul/> and such a magazine was also debuted by SureFire in December 2010, and is now sold as the MAG5-60 and MAG5-100 high capacity magazine (HCM) in 60 and 100 round capacities, respectively, in 5.56mm for AR-15 compatible with M4/M16/AR-15 variants and other firearms that accept STANAG 4179 magazines.<ref name=Crane101203>{{cite web |url=http://www.defensereview.com/dr-exclusive-surefire-60-shot-and-100-shot-ar-ar-15m16-5-56mm-nato-box-magazines-for-infantry-combat-and-tactical-engagements-meet-the-surefire-mag5-60-and-mag5-100-high-capacity-magazines-hcms/ |title=DR Exclusive!: SureFire MAG5-60 and MAG5-100 High Capacity Magazine (HCM) "Quad-Stack" AR Rifle Magazines: 60-Round/Shot and 100-Round/Shot AR (AR-15/M16) 5.56mm NATO Box Magazines for Significantly-Increased Firepower during Infantry Combat and Tactical Engagements of All Sorts |last=Crane |first=David |date=December 3, 2010 |website=DefenseReview.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110104003941/http://www.defensereview.com/dr-exclusive-surefire-60-shot-and-100-shot-ar-ar-15m16-5-56mm-nato-box-magazines-for-infantry-combat-and-tactical-engagements-meet-the-surefire-mag5-60-and-mag5-100-high-capacity-magazines-hcms/ |archive-date=January 4, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Izhmash]] has also developed a casket magazine for the [[AK-12]].<ref name=magpul/> Desert Tech have also released the QMAG-53 compatible Quattro-15 lower receiver for the AR-15.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/11/07/desert-techs-quattro-15-qmag-53-now-shipping/ | title=Desert Tech's Quattro-15 and QMAG-53 Now Shipping - | date=7 November 2023 }}</ref>

====Tandem==== A tandem magazine is a type of box magazine with another magazine placed in front.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/1964-spiw-60-round-magazine/ | title=1964 SPIW 60-round Magazine | date=31 July 2013 }}</ref> When firing, the bolt travels farther back past the front section magazine until the rear section is empty, then uses the front section. Firearms using tandem magazines are the [[Special Purpose Individual Weapon]] (SPIW),<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US3140554A/en | title=Double, tandem-arranged magnazine feeding device }}</ref> Sunngård pistol, Gerasimenko VAG-73 and the Volkov-Chukhmatov submachine gun. The Mimic Speed9 uses a back-to-back tandem magazine.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/the-new-mimic-speed9-60-round-submachine-gun-44820343 | title=The New Mimic Speed9 - 60 Round Submachine Gun | date=11 April 2025 }}</ref>

===Rotary=== [[File:Ruger Clip.JPG|thumb|[[Ruger 10/22]]'s BX-1CLR rotary magazine]]

The rotary (or spool) magazine consists of a cylindrical [[sprocket]] actuated by a [[torsion spring]], with cartridges fitting between the tooth bar of the sprocket, which is mounted on a spindle parallel to the bore axis and rotates each round sequentially into the feeding position. Rotary magazines may be fixed or detachable, and are usually of low capacity, generally 5 to 10 rounds, depending on the caliber used. John Smith patented a rotary magazine in 1856.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://depatisnet.dpma.de/DepatisNet/depatisnet?window=1&space=menu&content=treffer&action=bibdat&docid=US000000014034A&switchToLang=en|title=Bibliographic data|website=Depatisnet.dpma.de|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US14034A/en|title=Improvement in repeating magazine fire-arms}}</ref> Another rotary magazine was produced by [[Sylvester Roper]] in 1866 and was also used in the weapons by Anton Spitalsky and the [[Savage Model 99|Savage Model 1892]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xaQtAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA61|title=Gun Digest 2014|first=Jerry|last=Lee|date=15 July 2013|publisher=Gun Digest Books|isbn=978-1-4402-3550-4|page=61}}</ref><ref>{{US patent|502018}}, Magazine Gun, Application date: April 10, 1889, Issue date: July 25, 1893, Inventor: [[Arthur W. Savage]]</ref> Otto Schönauer first patented a spool magazine in 1886<ref>{{US-patent|336443A}}</ref> and his later design, patented in 1900,<ref>{{patent|GB|190001567A}}</ref> was used on [[bolt-action]] rifles produced at least until 1979,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://revivaler.com/the-mannlicher-schonauer-m72 | title=The Mannlicher Schönauer M72 | date=5 March 2015 }}</ref> among them [[Mannlicher–Schönauer]] adopted by the [[Greek Army]] in 1903. The [[M1941 Johnson rifle]] and [[M1947 Johnson auto carbine]] uses rotary magazines. The design is still used in some modern firearms, most notably the [[Ruger American Rifle|Ruger American]] series, the semi-automatic [[Ruger 10/22]], the bolt-action [[Ruger 77/22]] and the [[Steyr SSG 69]].

====Capsule==== A capsule magazine functions similar to a box magazine, but the spring and follower is stowed away when the magazine bottom is flipped open. The cartridges are loosely dumped into the magazine and spring-fed to the chamber when the bottom is closed. On the Krag-Jørgensen the magazine is wrapped around the bolt-action to save vertical space and ease loading from the side.

The [[Krag-Jorgensen]] bolt-action rifle is the only firearm to use this type of magazine and it was adopted by the militaries of Denmark, Norway, and the United States in the late 19th century.

====Chain/Linkless feed==== Much like a rotary magazine, this uses an internal continuous chain that works like a conveyor belt. The ARCO Abider, Marek MSG 3J, [[Ruger 10/22]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://smallarmsreview.com/ruger-1022-hi-capacity-magazine-evaluation-forty-years-of-rimfire-firepower-innovation/ | title=RUGER 1022 HI-CAPACITY MAGAZINE EVALUATION FORTY YEARS OF RIMFIRE FIREPOWER INNOVATION - Small Arms Review | date=16 April 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2024/01/08/mitchell-50-22-50-round/ | title=The Rimfire Report: The Forgotten Mitchell 50/22 Coffin 10/22 Magazine | date=8 January 2024 }}</ref> Sosso 1941 pistol, [[Sten|Small Arms Ltd. Model 2]], Moruzh-2 and the Heckler & Koch LMG 11.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://patents.google.com/patent/US6389948B1/en | title=Ammunition feed device for beltless fed ammunition }}</ref> uses this magazines.

===Drum=== {{Main|Drum magazine}} [[File:Thompson Magazine.JPG|thumb|left|50- and 100-round drum magazines plus 20- and 30-round box magazines for Thompson SMG]]

Drum magazines are used primarily for [[light machine gun]]s. In one type, a moving partition within a cylindrical chamber forces loose rounds into an exit slot, with the cartridges being stored parallel to the axis of rotation. After loading of the magazine, a wound spring or other mechanism forces the partition against the rounds. In all models a single column is pushed by a follower through a curved path. From there the rounds enter the vertical riser either from a single or dual drums. Cylindrical designs such as rotary and drum magazines allow for larger capacity than box magazines, without growing to excessive length. The downside of a drum magazine's extra capacity is its added weight that, combined with the gun, can affect handling and prolonged use. Drum magazines can be more difficult to incorporate into combat gear compared to more regular, rectangular box magazines.

Many drum-fed firearms can also load from conventional box magazines, such as the Soviet [[PPSh-41]] submachine gun, [[RPK]] light machine gun, and the American [[Thompson submachine gun]].

The term "drum" is sometimes applied to a belt box for a belt-fed machine gun, though this is just a case that houses a length of ammunition belt, not a drum magazine.

====Saddle-drum==== [[File:Double drum magazine filled.svg|thumb|[[Beta C-Mag]] double-drum magazine]]

Before WWII the Germans developed 75-round saddle-drum magazines for use in their [[MG 13]] and [[MG 15]] machine guns. The [[MG 34]] machine guns could also use saddle-drum magazine when fitted with a special feed cover. The 75 rounds of ammunition were evenly distributed in each side of the magazine with a central feed "tower" where the ammunition is fed to the bolt. The ammunition was fed by a spring force, with rounds alternating from each side of the double drum so that the gun would not become unbalanced.

===Pan=== [[File:Magazynek Lewisa z polska amunicja 792mm.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Pan magazine as used on a 7.92x57mm Lewis Gun.]]

Pan magazines differ from other circular magazines in that the cartridges are stored perpendicular to the axis of rotation, rather than parallel, and are usually mounted on top of the firearm. This type is used on the [[Lewis Gun]], [[Vickers K machine gun|Vickers K]], [[Bren Gun]] (only used in anti-aircraft mountings),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cairdpublications.com/scrap/armbitguns/images/Bren%20Guns.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image |website=Cairdpublications.com |access-date=2017-06-05}}</ref> [[Degtyaryov light machine gun]], and [[American-180]] submachine gun. A highly unusual example was found on the [[Type 89 machine gun]] fed from two 45-round quadrant-shaped pan magazines (each magazine held nine of the five-round stripper clips). Pan type magazine has been used for experimental machine gun such as the 1931 Finnish designed [[LS-26|LS26/31]] and light hand gun [[Stoehr machine pistol]] designed by Donald Stoher in the 1970s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-15 |title=Finnish LS-26/31 |url=https://forum.enlisted.net/t/finnish-ls-26-31/175285 |access-date=2026-05-19 |website=Enlisted — official forum |language=en}}</ref>

===Helical=== [[Image:Calico M960 SMG.jpg|thumb|[[Calico Light Weapons Systems|Calico]] pioneered the helical magazine design. Pictured is the company's [[Calico M960|M960]] [[carbine]].]]

[[Helix|Helical]] magazines extend the drum magazine design so that rounds follow a spiral path around an auger-shaped rotating follower or ''drive member'', allowing for large ammunition capacity in a relatively compact package (compared to a regular box magazine of similar capacity). Early helical magazine designs include that patented by an unidentified inventor through the patent agent William Edward Newton in 1857 and the integral magazine of the [[Evans Repeating Rifle]], patented in the late 1860s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://armamentresearch.com/chinese-csls06-chang-feng-sub-machine-gun/|title=Chinese CS/LS06 'Chang Feng' sub-machine gun – Armament Research Services|last=Jenzen-Jones|first=N.R.|date=28 August 2019|website=[[Armament Research Services]]|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jc4dCe0_7g0C&q=Edward+Newton+1857+335&pg=RA11-PA1|title=English Patents of Inventions, Specifications: 1857, 309 - 385|year=1857}}</ref> This type of magazine is used by the [[Calico M960]], [[PP-19 Bizon]], [[CF-05|CS/LS06]] and KBP [[PP-90M1|PP90M1]]. The North Korean military uses a 100- to 150- round helical magazine in the Type 88 assault rifle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armamentresearch.com/north-korean-helical-ak-magazines/|title=North Korean Helical AK Magazines – Armament Research Services|date=4 February 2014|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-09-18}}</ref> Helical magazines offer substantially more ammunition carriage; however, they are inherently complex designs. As such, they can be difficult to load and may decrease the reliability of feeding the weapon.<ref name=":0" />

===Hopper=== The Japanese [[Type 11 light machine gun]] was the only weapon system that used a hopper magazine.{{Failed verification|date=May 2026}} This gun was fed by standard [[6.5×50mmSR Arisaka]] stripper clips that were used by riflemen armed with the [[Type 38 rifle|Type 38 bolt action rifle]].<ref name=Type11Nambu>{{cite web |author= |year=2012 |title=Type 11 Nambu LMG |url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/light-machine-guns/type-11-nambu-lmg/ |website=ForgottenWeapons.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}</ref> The hopper was located on the left side of the receiver and held six of the 5-round clips, for a total of 30 rounds of ammunition. The hopper magazine was designed with a series of mechanical teeth activated by a cam track on the gas piston to pull cartridges off each clip and into the action. After the fifth and final round from each stripper clip was fed and fired, the empty clip would fall out the bottom of the hopper magazine and the next fully loaded stripper clip would then be dropped into place for feeding. There was a spring-loaded follower that applied pressure on top of the clips to hold them in place so they would not fall out while the weapon was being transported or fired.<ref name=Oldham2013>{{cite web |last=Oldham |first=Chuck |date=September 4, 2013 |title=The Five Worst Light Machine Guns (LMGs) |url=https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-five-worst-light-machine-guns-lmg/2/ |website=defensemedianetwork.com |location= |publisher=Faircount Media Group |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171125120017/https://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-five-worst-light-machine-guns-lmg/2/ |archive-date=November 25, 2017 |access-date=}}</ref>

==STANAG magazine== [[Image:Stanag mags.jpg|thumb|upright|Two STANAG-compliant magazines: A 20-round Colt-manufactured magazine, and a 30-round Heckler & Koch "high reliability" magazine.]] {{Main|STANAG magazine}}

A ''STANAG magazine''<ref>The M16, Gordon L. Rottman, © Osprey Publishing, 2011, Page 35-36</ref><ref>Future Weapons, Kevin Dockery, © Penguin, 2007, Page 125-126</ref> or ''NATO magazine'' is a type of detachable magazine proposed by [[NATO]] in October 1980.<ref>Watters, Daniel: "[http://www.thegunzone.com/556dw-8.html The 5.56 X 45mm Timeline: A Chronology of Development] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316235202/http://thegunzone.com/556dw-8.html |date=2015-03-16 }}", The Gun Zone, 2000–2007.</ref> Shortly after NATO's acceptance of the [[5.56×45mm NATO]] rifle cartridge, Draft Standardization Agreement ([[STANAG]]) 4179 was proposed in order to allow NATO members to easily share rifle ammunition and magazines down to the individual soldier level. The U.S. M16 rifle magazine was proposed for standardization. Many NATO members subsequently developed or purchased rifles with the ability to accept this type of magazine. However, the standard was never ratified and remains a "Draft STANAG".<ref>"[http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Arvidsson.pdf NATO Infantry Weapons Standardization] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201183951/http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Arvidsson.pdf |date=2012-12-01 }}", NDIA Conference 2008</ref>

The STANAG magazine concept is only an interface, dimensional, and control (magazine latch, bolt stop, etc.) requirement.<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8RxJxY7wQn0C&pg=PA125|title=Future Weapons|first=Kevin|last=Dockery|date=5 June 2017|publisher=Penguin|isbn=978-0-425-21750-4|page=125}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZqtAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT147|title=The Book of Gun Trivia: Essential Firepower Facts|first=Gordon L.|last=Rottman|date=20 October 2013|publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing|isbn=978-1-78200-620-6|page=147}}</ref> Therefore, it not only allows one type of magazine to interface with various weapon systems,<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> but also allows STANAG magazines to be made in various configurations and capacities.<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> The standard STANAG magazines are 20, 30, and 40 round box magazines,<ref name="ReferenceA"/> but there are many other designs available with capacities ranging from one round<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sinclairintl.com/gun-parts-tools-accessories/rifle-magazines/magazine-parts/magazine-followers/ar-15-m16-single-shot-magazine-follower-prod34112.aspx|title=Sinclair International AR-15/M16 Single Shot Magazine Follower|publisher=Sinclair Intl|website=www.sinclairintl.com|access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref> to 60 and 100 round casket magazines,<ref name="magpul" /><ref name="Crane101203" /> 90 round [[drum magazine|snail-drum magazines]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensereview.com/mwg-90-rounder-snail-drum-mag-90-rounds-of-immediate-556mm-firepower-for-your-m4m4a1-carbine-or-ar-15-carbine/|title=MWG 90-Rounder Snail Drum Magazine: 90 Rounds of Immediate 5.56mm Firepower for Your M4/M4A1 Carbine (or AR-15 Carbine)|website=Defensereview.com|access-date=5 June 2017}}</ref> and 100 round<ref>''The Gun Digest Book of the AR-15''. Patrick Sweeney. Gun Digest Books, September 9, 2005. page 106</ref> and 150 round double-drum magazines.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.armatac.com/product/products-saw-mag/|title=SAW-MAG – Armatac Industries|website=armatac.com}}</ref>

== High-capacity magazine bans == [[File:SIG Sauer P365 limited capacity magazine.jpg|thumb|upright|A magazine for a [[SIG Sauer P365]] XL, modified by the manufacturer to limit capacity to 10 rounds, rather than its full 12 rounds.]] A '''high-capacity magazine ban''' is a law which bans or otherwise restricts detachable magazines that can hold more than a certain number of [[cartridge (firearms)|rounds]] of [[ammunition]]. ''High-capacity'' is separately defined in some laws.<ref name=Rose2013>{{cite web |url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2013/rpt/2013-R-0039.htm |title=Laws on High Capacity Magazines |last=Rose |first=Veronica |date=January 24, 2013 |website=cga.ct.gov |publisher=Connecticut General Assembly |access-date=April 9, 2014 |quote=The term high capacity ammunition magazines (sometimes called large capacity magazines or high capacity ammunition feeding devices) generally refers to gun magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition. But statutory definitions vary.}}</ref> For example, in the United States, the now-expired [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban|Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994]] included limits regarding magazines that could hold more than ten rounds. As of 2024, fourteen U.S. states, and a number of local governments, ban or regulate magazines that they have legally defined as high-capacity.<ref name=GunsHCMB>{{cite book |last=Migliaccio |first=Jessica Trapassi |year=2022 |editor-last1=Carter |editor-first1=Greg Lee |editor-last2=Schildkraut |editor-first2=Jaclyn |title=Guns In American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law |publisher= |location= |isbn= |pages=423-426 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Guns_in_American_Society/I8HSEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA423&printsec=frontcover |access-date=May 5, 2026}}</ref><ref name=BlueBook2026>{{cite web |author= |date=March 12, 2026 |title=Blue Book of Gun Values: Glossary |url=https://bluebookofgunvalues.com/pdfs/gun/GlossaryAbb.pdf |website= |location= |pages=46 |publisher=Bluebook Publications, Inc. |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260507145814/https://bluebookofgunvalues.com/pdfs/gun/GlossaryAbb.pdf |archive-date=May 7, 2026 |access-date=May 7, 2026 }}</ref> The majority of U.S. states do not ban or regulate any magazines on the basis of capacity.

===Australia=== {{Main|Gun laws in Australia}} In Australia, handgun, [[Semi-automatic rifle|semi-automatic rimfire]], [[pump-action]] and [[lever-action]] rifle magazines (excluding tubular magazines like those found in [[gallery gun]]s or [[Winchester rifles]] for manually repeating rifles) holding more than ten rounds, [[shotgun]] magazines holding more than five rounds, and [[bolt-action]] and [[straight-pull]] rifle magazines holding more than 15 rounds are heavily restricted (Category D).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abf.gov.au/importing-exporting-and-manufacturing/prohibited-goods/categories/firearms|title=Prohibited Goods - Firearms|access-date=2019-09-13}}</ref>

===Canada=== {{Main|Firearms regulation in Canada}} In Canada, magazines designed for use in [[semi-auto rifle|semi-automatic centrefire rifles]] and semi-automatic shotguns are limited to 5 rounds, and magazines designed for use in handguns are limited to 10 rounds. Magazines designed for use in semi-automatic rimfire rifles, as well as manually operated long guns, are exempt from the magazine capacity restrictions. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://rcmp.ca/en/firearms/classes-firearms/maximum-permitted-magazine-capacity | title=Maximum Permitted Magazine Capacity | publisher=Royal Canadian Mounted Police | work=Canadian Firearms Program}}</ref>

=== Russia === In [[Russia]], all magazines for use with any type of firearm except sport handguns and award weapons{{clarify|date=May 2026}} are limited to no more than 10 rounds.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anguilano |first=Nicolas |date=2018-06-04 |title=Gun culture in Russia: How does it compare to the U.S.? |url=https://www.rbth.com/lifestyle/328459-gun-culture-in-russia-and-us |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=Russia Beyond |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== United Kingdom === There are no capacity restrictions on detachable magazines in the United Kingdom. However, since January 1989, any shotgun with a detachable magazine, or a non-detachable magazine capable of holding more than two cartridges is classed as a Section 1 firearm and must be held on a firearm certificate, which is subject to more stringent requirements than "normal" section 2 shotguns held on a shotgun certificate.<ref>https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/45/section/2</ref> Section 2 shotguns include break-barrel guns with no magazine, as well as repeating and semi-automatic guns with fixed two-round magazines. When the 1988 Act was introduced, many guns with larger (often [[Magazine (firearms)#Tubular|tubular magazines]]) were brought into compliance by crimping the magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-06 |title=Adapting shotgun magazines and deactivating firearms |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-adaptation-of-shotgun-magazines-and-the-deactivation-of-firearms-revised-2010 |access-date=2025-10-03 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

===United States=== {{Further information|Assault weapons legislation in the United States|Gun laws in the United States by state|Gun politics in the United States}}

[[William B. Ruger]], a founder of [[Sturm, Ruger & Co.]], is often ascribed with providing the impetus for high-capacity magazine restrictions. Ruger proposed that instead of banning firearms, Congress should outlaw magazines holding more than 15 rounds.<ref>{{cite book|title=Gun Digest Book of Ruger Pistols and Revolvers |author= Patrick Sweeney |publisher=Gun Digest Books|year= 2007|page=7|isbn = 978-0-89689-472-3}}</ref> "No honest man needs more than 10 rounds in any gun," Ruger told [[Tom Brokaw]] of [[NBC News]] in 1992.<ref name=mj20160614>{{cite news |title=Fully Loaded: Inside the Shadowy World of America's 10 Biggest Gunmakers |first=Josh |last=Harkinson |date=June 14, 2016 |accessdate=May 31, 2018 |magazine=[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]] |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/06/fully-loaded-ten-biggest-gun-manufacturers-america/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Magazine limits were first proposed by Connecticut gun maker |work=[[Connecticut Magazine]] |publisher=[[New Haven Register]] |date=April 1, 2013 |accessdate=June 6, 2018 |url=https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Magazine-limits-were-first-proposed-by-11435654.php}}</ref> On March 30, 1989, Ruger sent a letter to every member of the US Congress stating: <blockquote> "The best way to address the firepower concern is therefore not to try to outlaw or license many millions of older and perfectly legitimate firearms (which would be a licensing effort of staggering proportions) but to prohibit the possession of high capacity magazines. By a simple, complete and unequivocal ban on large capacity magazines, all the difficulty of defining 'assault rifle' and 'semi-automatic rifles' is eliminated. The large capacity magazine itself, separate or attached to the firearm, becomes the prohibited item. A single amendment to Federal firearms laws could effectively implement these objectives."

William B. Ruger<ref>{{cite journal|title= An Open Letter|author= William B. Ruger|page=18|journal=American Handgunner|issue=5|volume=12|year=1992}}</ref></blockquote>

The [[National Rifle Association]] (NRA) and the [[National Shooting Sports Foundation]] (NSSF) say defining magazines with capacities greater than nine rounds as high- or large-capacity is mislabeling.<ref name="O'Leary2024">{{cite web |last=O'Leary |first=Garrett |date=April 29, 2024 |title=These Magazines are the Standard |url=https://www.americas1stfreedom.org/content/these-magazines-are-the-standard/ |website= |location= |publisher=National Rifle Association |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260123055344/https://www.americas1stfreedom.org/content/these-magazines-are-the-standard/ |archive-date=January 23, 2026 |access-date=May 7, 2026 |quote=Firearms magazines capable of holding 10 or more rounds, often mislabeled as 'high-capacity' or 'large-capacity' magazines, are overwhelmingly preferred nationally by law-abiding gun owners, according to a recent report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).}}</ref>

====Federal law==== Between 1994 and 2004, the [[Federal Assault Weapons Ban]], which included a ban on high-capacity magazines, was in effect. It prohibited new magazines over 10 rounds in the United States.<ref name="KeslingElinson">Ben Kesling & Zusha Elinson, [https://www.wsj.com/articles/mass-shootings-draw-attention-to-drum-magazines-11565962690 Mass Shootings Draw Attention to 'Drum Magazines'], ''Wall Street Journal'' (August 16, 2019).</ref> After the expiration of the ban, there is no nationwide prohibition against the possession of high-capacity magazines, which are considered an unregulated firearm accessory.<ref name="KeslingElinson"/>

Legislation to restore a federal high-capacity magazine ban has been repeatedly introduced by [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] in the [[United States Congress]] since the expiration of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban, especially in the wake of [[mass shootings in the United States]] in which high-capacity magazines were used, including the [[2011 Tucson shooting|Tucson shooting]] (2011), the [[2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting|Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting]] (2012), and the [[2017 Las Vegas shooting|Harvest music festival shooting]] (2017).<ref>Jennifer Steinhauer, [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/us/politics/lawmakers-look-at-ban-on-high-capacity-gun-magazines.html Pro-Gun Lawmakers Are Open to Limits on Size of Magazines], ''New York Times'' (February 18, 2013).</ref><ref>Elizabeth Landers, [https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/12/politics/gun-control-high-capacity-gun-magazine-ban-bill/index.html Democrats propose high-capacity gun magazine ban], CNN (February 12, 2019).</ref> These efforts have been thus far unsuccessful. The federal Keep Americans Safe Act, which would restore the ban on new magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, passed the [[House Judiciary Committee]] in September 2019.<ref>[https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1186 H.R.1186 - Keep Americans Safe Act], 116th Congress (2019-2020), [[Congress.gov]].</ref><ref>Clare Foran, [https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/10/politics/house-judiciary-gun-bills-vote/index.html House Judiciary Committee votes to approve red flag bill and high capacity magazine ban], CNN (September 11, 2019).</ref>

====State laws==== A number of U.S. states as well as [[Washington, D.C.]] have high-capacity magazine restrictions or bans.<ref name=LCPGV-LCMPolSum>{{cite web |url=http://smartgunlaws.org/large-capacity-ammunition-magazines-policy-summary/ |title=Large Capacity Ammunition Magazines Policy Summary |author= |date=May 31, 2013 |website=smartgunlaws.org |publisher=Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence |access-date=March 14, 2014}}</ref> The types of acts prohibited vary among the jurisdictions; most prohibit manufacture, sale, or possession, but some states' laws are narrower (Maryland law does not ban possession of high-capacity magazines) while other states' laws are broader (some states also ban the transfer, transportation, or acquisition of high-capacity magazines). Some states' laws include "grandfather" provisions for pre-ban high-capacity magazines, exempting these, while other states' laws do not.<ref name=GiffordsCount>[https://lawcenter.giffords.org/gun-laws/policy-areas/hardware-ammunition/large-capacity-magazines/ Large Capacity Magazines], Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.</ref> * [[California]] – more than 10 rounds – illegal to transfer or import; a ban on possession is on hold pending an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court<ref>{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Rector |date=March 20, 2025 |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-20/9th-circuit-california-ban-large-capacity-ammunition-magazines |title=9th Circuit Upholds California Ban on Large-Capacity Ammunition Magazines |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=April 5, 2026 |url=https://legalclarity.org/was-the-california-magazine-ban-overturned/?utm_source=copilot.com |title=California Magazine Ban Overturned: What It Means Now |work=LegalClarity |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> * [[Colorado]] – more than 15 rounds, with some exceptions for magazines possessed before July 1, 2013<ref>{{cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-colorado/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in Colorado |work=Giffords |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> * [[Connecticut]] – more than 10 rounds, with some exceptions for magazines possessed before January 1, 2014<ref>{{cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-connecticut/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in Connecticut |work=Giffords |access-date=May 15, 2026}}</ref> * [[Delaware]] – more than 17 rounds; concealed-carry permit holders exempt<ref>{{cite web |date=April 21, 2024 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-delaware/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in Delaware |work=Giffords |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> * [[District of Columbia]] – more than 10 rounds<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Cameron |date=April 23, 2026 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/23/us/politics/dc-ban-gun-magazines.html |title=Court Revives D.C.'s Ban on High-Capacity Gun Magazines, for Now |work=New York Times |access-date=May 16, 2026 |quote=The District of Columbia Court of Appeals on Thursday effectively revived a local ban on gun magazines with more than 10 rounds of ammunition, pending a rehearing of the case. A majority of the court's judges approved a request by the city of Washington to rehear the case "en banc", before all active judges of the court, after a three-judge panel had struck down the ban as unconstitutional in March.}}</ref> * [[Hawaii]] – more than 10 rounds – handguns only<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hawaiirifleassociation.org/hawaii-gun-laws |title=Hawaii Gun Laws |work=Hawaii Rifle Association |access-date=May 15, 2026}}</ref> * [[Illinois]] – more than 10 rounds for rifles or shotguns, more than 15 rounds for handguns – illegal to transfer or import, legal to possess on private property<ref name=PICA-Tribune>{{cite web |first1=Rick |last1=Pearson |first2=Jeremy |last2=Gorner |date=January 10, 2023 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-guns-abortion-20230110-zm5rccpkkvf63ofere6lmmepjm-story.html |title=Gov. J.B. Pritzker Signs Comprehensive Gun Bill Banning Sale of Military-Style Firearms |work=Chicago Tribune |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113172519/https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-legislature-guns-abortion-20230110-zm5rccpkkvf63ofere6lmmepjm-story.html |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=January 15, 2023}}</ref> * [[Maryland]] – more than 10 rounds – illegal to transfer, legal to possess or import<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marylandshallissue.org/jmain/counselor-s-corner/315-md-mags |title=Magazines in Maryland |work=Maryland Shall Issue |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> * [[Massachusetts]] – more than 10 rounds, with some exceptions for magazines possessed before September 13, 1994<ref>{{cite web |date=August 1, 2024 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-massachusetts/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in Massachusetts |work=Giffords |access-date=May 15, 2026}}</ref> * [[New Jersey]] – more than 10 rounds<ref>{{cite news |date=December 5, 2018 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-court-upholds-new-jersey-gun-control-law-limiting-high-n944636 |title=Federal Court Upholds New Jersey Gun-Control Law Limiting High-Capacity Magazines |work=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 11, 2026}}</ref> * [[New York (state)|New York]] – more than 10 rounds<ref>{{cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-new-york/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in New York |work=Giffords |access-date=May 15, 2026}}</ref> * [[Oregon]] – more than 10 rounds – effective January 1, 2028<ref>{{cite news |first=Maxine |last=Bernstein |date=March 10, 2026 |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2026/03/oregon-gun-control-measure-114-delayed-after-lawmakers-approve-stripped-down-bill.html |title=Oregon Gun Control Measure 114 Delayed After Lawmakers Approve Stripped-Down Bill |work=The Oregonian |access-date=May 15, 2026}}</ref> * [[Rhode Island]] – more than 10 rounds<ref>{{cite web |first=Erik |last=Eva |date=June 22, 2022 |url=https://thereload.com/rhode-island-to-confiscate-ammo-magazines-ban-gun-sales-to-anyone-under-21/ |title=Rhode Island to Confiscate Ammo Magazines, Ban Gun Sales to Anyone Under 21 |work=The Reload |access-date=May 15, 2026}}</ref> * [[Vermont]] – more than 10 rounds for rifles or shotguns, more than 15 rounds for handguns, with some exceptions for magazines possessed before April 11, 2018<ref>{{cite web |date=December 31, 2023 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-vermont/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in Vermont |work=Giffords |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> * [[Virginia]] – more than 15 rounds – illegal to transfer or import, legal to possess – effective July 1, 2026<ref>{{cite news |first= Markus |last=Schmidt |date=May 15, 2026 |url=https://virginiamercury.com/2026/05/15/spanberger-signs-assault-weapons-ban-package-of-criminal-justice-and-energy-bills/ |title=Spanberger Signs Assault Weapons Ban, Package of Criminal Justice and Energy Bills |work=Virginia Mercury |access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ryan |last=Nadeau |date=May 14, 2026 |url=https://www.wric.com/news/politics/capitol-connection/assault-weapon-bill-signed-nra-lawsuit/ |title=Virginia Assault Weapons Ban Hit with Lawsuit Before Spanberger's Signature Dries |work=WRIC |access-date=May 17, 2026}}</ref> * [[Washington (state)|Washington]] – more than 10 rounds – illegal to transfer or import, legal to possess<ref>{{cite web |date=April 22, 2024 |url=https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/large-capacity-magazines-in-washington/ |title=Large Capacity Magazines in Washington |work=Giffords |access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref>

====Municipal and county laws==== U.S. cities and counties with high-capacity magazine restrictions or bans include: * [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], Colorado * [[Cook County, Illinois|Cook County]], Illinois<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.municode.com/library/il/cook_county/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIGEOR_CH54LIPEMIBURE_ARTIIIDEWEDE_DIV4BLHOASWEBA&searchText=%5Bbare+URL%5D|title=Municode Library|website=www.municode.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://smartgunlaws.org/gun-laws/policy-areas/classes-of-weapons/assault-weapons|title=Assault Weapons |work=Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence|access-date=2018-03-19|language=en-US}}</ref> * [[Aurora, Illinois|Aurora]], Illinois * [[Chicago, Illinois|Chicago]], Illinois * [[Oak Park, Illinois|Oak Park]], Illinois * [[Albany, New York|Albany]], New York * [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], New York * [[New York City|New York]], New York * [[Rochester, New York|Rochester]], New York

====Legal status==== The constitutionality of high-capacity magazine bans has been repeatedly upheld by [[United States courts of appeal]] courts, including the courts of appeals for the [[United States Court of Appeal for the First Circuit|First Circuit]],<ref>''Worman v. Healey'', 922 F.3d 26 (1st Cir. 2019); see also [https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/worman-v-healey/ ''Worman v. Healey'': Petition for certiorari denied on June 15, 2020], SCOTUSblog.</ref> [[United States Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit|Second Circuit]],<ref>''N.Y. State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Cuomo'', 804 F.3d 242 (2d Cir. 2015); see also Timothy Bowman, [https://www.jstor.org/stable/44647997 Case Note: New York State Rifle & Pistol Ass'n v. Cuomo, 804 F.3d 242 (2d Cir. 2015), cert. denied sub nom. Shaw v. Malloy, 2016 WL 632684 (June 20, 2016)], ''The Urban Lawyer'', Vol. 48, No. 2 (Spring 2016), pp. 391-393.</ref> [[U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit|Third Circuit]],<ref>''Ass'n of N.J. Rifle & Pistol Clubs, Inc. v. Att'y Gen. of N.J.'', 910 F.3d 106 (3d Cir. 2018); ''see also'' [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/federal-court-upholds-new-jersey-gun-control-law-limiting-high-n944636 Federal court upholds New Jersey gun-control law limiting high-capacity magazines], Associated Press (December 5, 2018.</ref> [[United States Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit|Fourth Circuit]],<ref>''Kolbe v. Hogan'', 849 F.3d 114 (4th Cir. 2017) ([[en banc]]); see also Lyle Denniston, [https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/supreme-court-justices-allow-ban-on-high-capacity-guns Supreme Court Justices allow ban on high-capacity guns], [[National Constitution Center]] (November 27, 2017).</ref> [[United States Court of Appeal for the Seventh Circuit|Seventh Circuit]],<ref>''Friedman v. City of Highland Park'', 784 F.3d 406 (7th Cir. 2015); [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/08/us/supreme-court-will-not-hear-challenge-to-assault-weapons-ban-of-highland-park-ill.html Supreme Court Won't Hear Challenge to Assault Weapons Ban in Chicago Suburb], ''New York Times'' (December 8, 2015).</ref><ref>Asher Stockler, [https://www.newsweek.com/assault-weapons-ban-large-magazines-guns-1456895 Federal Appeals Court Upholds Ban on Assault Weapons, Large-Capacity Magazines], ''Newsweek'' (August 29, 2019).</ref><ref>Bobby Allyn, [https://www.npr.org/2019/08/29/755551838/u-s-appeals-court-in-chicago-again-upholds-laws-banning-assault-weapons U.S. Appeals Court In Chicago Again Upholds Laws Banning Assault Weapons], NPR (August 29, 2019).</ref> [[United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit|Ninth Circuit]],<ref>''Duncan v. Bonta'', 19 F.4th 1087 (9th Cir. 2021) ([[en banc]]). Kristina Davis, [https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/story/2021-11-30/9th-circuit-upholds-large-capacity-gun-magazine-ban 9th Circuit upholds large-capacity gun magazine ban, reversing earlier decisions], ''San Diego Union-Tribune'' (November 30, 2021).</ref> and [[United States Court of Appeal for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Circuit]].<ref>''District of Columbia v. Heller'', 670 F.3d 1244 (D.C. Cir. 2011) (''Heller II''); see also [https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R44618.pdf Post-Heller Second Amendment Jurisprudence], Congressional Research Service (updated March 25, 2019).</ref> The [[Supreme Court of the United States]] has issued [[Grant, vacate, remand order|grant, vacate, and remand orders]] for the active cases in the Third, Fourth, and Ninth Circuits to be reconsidered in light of ''[[New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/justices-send-assault-weapon-magazine-bans-back-to-lower-courts | title=Justices Send Assault Weapon, Magazine Bans Back to Lower Courts }}</ref>

The D.C. Court of Appeals in its [[Benson v. United States]] decision struck down magazine bans on constitutional grounds, in March 2026.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=The New York Times|title=D.C. Court Strikes Down Local Ban on High-Capacity Gun Magazines|quote=A three-judge panel reversed the conviction of a man charged with possessing a 30-bullet magazine, saying it had constitutional protection.|author=Mattathias Schwartz|date=March 5, 2026|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/us/politics/dc-court-gun-case.html}}</ref>

===Impact=== ====On gun homicide rates and lethality==== A 2004 study examined the impact of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban (1994 through 2004), which included a prohibition on sales of magazines with capacities over ten rounds. The authors wrote that the ban was not associated with a reduction in firearm homicides or the lethality of gun crimes in general. They suggested this may have been due to the concurrent rise in the use of large capacity magazines with non-banned semiautomatic weapons. The authors noted that high-capacity magazines have a greater potential for affecting gun crime due to the fact that they are also used in firearms not classified as assault weapons. They added, "However, it is not clear how often the ability to fire more than 10 shots without reloading (the current magazine capacity limit) affects the outcomes of gun attacks." 95% of gun murders involve three or fewer shots fired.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Braga |first1=Anthony A. |last2=Cook |first2=Philip J. |title=The Association of Firearm Caliber With Likelihood of Death From Gunshot Injury in Criminal Assaults |journal=JAMA Network Open |date=27 July 2018 |volume=1 |issue=3 |pages=e180833 |doi=10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2018.0833 |pmid=30646040 |pmc=6324289 }}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=May 2026}}{{dubious|Not a wide enough geopgraphic area or span of time to justify such a broad conclusion.|date=May 2026}} Overall the authors reported that there had been "no discernible reduction in the lethality and injuriousness of gun violence, based on indicators like the percentage of gun crimes resulting in death or the share of gunfire incidents resulting in injury, as we might have expected had the ban reduced crimes with both AWs and LCMs."<ref>{{cite report |last1=Koper |first1=Christopher S. |last2=Woods |first2=Daniel J. |last3=Roth |first3=Jeffrey A. |title=Updated Assessment of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban: Impacts on Gun Markets and Gun Violence, 1994-2003; Report to the National Institute of Justice, United States Department of Justice |date=July 2004 |url=https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/204431.pdf|publisher=United States Department of Justice}}</ref>

A 2019 study found no [[statistically significant]] association between state-level LCM bans and homicide rates.<ref>Michael Siegel & Claire Boine, [https://rockinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/8-13-19-Firearm-Laws-Homicide-Brief.pdf Policy Brief: What Are the Most Effective Policies in Reducing Gun Homicides], [[Rockefeller Institute of Government]]/Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium (March 29, 2019), p. 9.</ref>

A 2020 [[RAND Corporation]] review indicated that there were few methodologically rigorous studies on the impact of LCM bans on violent crime rates, and concluded that "High-capacity magazine bans have uncertain effects on firearm homicides. Evidence for the effect of high-capacity magazine bans on firearm homicides is also inconclusive."<ref>{{cite news |title=Effects of Assault Weapon and High-Capacity Magazine Bans on Violent Crime |url=https://www.rand.org/research/gun-policy/analysis/ban-assault-weapons/violent-crime.html |work=RAND |date=22 April 2020 }}</ref>

====On mass shooting rates and lethality==== {{Further|Mass shootings in the United States}} A 2019 study examined the effect of large-capacity magazine (LCM) bans on the frequency and lethality of "high-lethality mass shootings" (defined as those resulting in six or more fatalities) in the United States from 1990 to 2017. Of the 69 high-fatality mass shootings in the U.S. over that period, at least 44 (64%) involved LCMs.<ref name=Klarevas>{{cite journal |last1=Klarevas |first1=Louis |last2=Conner |first2=Andrew |last3=Hemenway |first3=David |title=The Effect of Large-Capacity Magazine Bans on High-Fatality Mass Shootings, 1990–2017 |journal=American Journal of Public Health |date=December 2019 |volume=109 |issue=12 |pages=1754–1761 |doi=10.2105/AJPH.2019.305311 |pmid=31622147 |pmc=6836798 }}</ref> Attacks involving LCMs "resulted in a 62% higher mean average death toll" than mass shootings in which high-capacity magazines were not used. States which had banned high-capacity magazines had a substantially lower incidence of mass shootings, as well as far fewer fatalities in mass shootings: "The incidence of high-fatality mass shootings in non–LCM ban states was more than double the rate in LCM ban states; the annual number of deaths was more than 3 times higher."<ref name=Klarevas/> The study acknowledged that because 69 incidents over a 28-year period was, for statistical purposes, "a relatively small number and limits the power to detect significant associations," it was possible that the magnitude of the effects detected was overestimated.<ref name=Klarevas/> The study authors "did not have the statistical power (and thus did not even try) to determine whether different aspects of the various LCM laws might have differential effects on the incidence of high-fatality mass shootings."<ref name=Klarevas/>

A 2020 study, examining fatal mass shootings in the U.S. for the period 1984–2017, found that, when [[Controlling for a variable|controlling for other variables]], LCM bans, and handgun purchaser licensing laws, were associated with a significant reduction in fatal mass shootings, while assault weapon bans, background checks, and de-regulation of civilian concealed carry were not.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Webster |first1=Daniel W. |last2=McCourt |first2=Alexander D. |last3=Crifasi |first3=Cassandra K. |last4=Booty |first4=Marisa D. |last5=Stuart |first5=Elizabeth A. |title=Evidence concerning the regulation of firearms design, sale, and carrying on fatal mass shootings in the United States |journal=Criminology & Public Policy |date=February 2020 |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=171–212 |doi=10.1111/1745-9133.12487 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==See also== * [[Belt (firearms)]] * [[Bottom metal]] * [[Jungle style (firearm magazines)]] * [[List of 3D-printed weapons and parts]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book |author=The Franklin Institute |author-link=Franklin Institute |title=Automatic Weapons |chapter=Component Design |pages=7-2 through 7-9  |date=February 1970 |publisher=U.S. Army Materiel Command |series=Engineering Design Handbook: Guns |id=AMCP 706-260 |chapter-url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/868578.pdf |access-date=2022-06-02 |archive-date=2021-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126063327/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/868578.pdf |url-status=dead }}  * {{cite news |last=Jonsson |first=Patrik |date=January 16, 2013 |title=Gun debate 101: Time to ban high-capacity magazines? |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2013/0116/Gun-debate-101-Time-to-ban-high-capacity-magazines |newspaper=Christian Science Monitor |access-date=May 14, 2014 }} * {{cite news |last=Richman |first=Josh |date=March 12, 2014 |title=Sunnyvale gun law: Supreme Court justice refuses to stay ban on large-capacity magazines |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2014/03/12/sunnyvale-gun-law-supreme-court-justice-refuses-to-stay-ban-on-large-capacity-magazines/|newspaper=San Jose Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |access-date=July 1, 2022}} * {{cite journal |last=Shermer |first=Michael |year=2013 |title=The Sandy Hook Effect |url=http://www.skeptic.com/reading_room/the-sandy-hook-effect/ |journal=Skeptic |access-date=April 24, 2014}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Magazine (Firearms)}} [[Category:Magazines (firearms)| ]] [[Category:Firearm components]]