How Many Bullets In A Clip？

The number of bullets a gun can hold depends on the type of handgun and its magazine capacity. Revolvers typically hold between five and six rounds in their rotating chambers. Some revolvers can hold up to 7, 8, 9, or 10 chambers, depending on the caliber, and at least one revolver has 12 chambers (the US Fire Arms Model 12/22) .

Automatic handguns use magazines inserted into the handgrip and usually carry between six and nineteen rounds. However, extended magazines can be purchased to increase the capacity. Aftermarket extended magazines for popular brands like Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Taurus, Beretta, and Walther are widely available. Some handguns can hold up to 100 rounds, but this is rare and may not be legal in certain areas. State laws may also limit magazine capacity; for example, Colorado has a legal capacity of 15 rounds, while California limits it to 10.

In summary, the number of bullets a gun can hold varies depending on the type of handgun and its magazine capacity. Revolvers typically hold between 5 and 6 rounds, while automatic handguns can hold anywhere from 6 to 19 rounds or more with extended magazines.

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An automatic handgun can hold anywhere from 2 rounds to 100 hundred rounds, depending on the magazine. However, many automatic pistols come from the factory with magazines that hold between 6 and 18 rounds. Traditional revolvers can hold between 5 and 6 bullets.

Answered from Mohammad Anwar

How Many Bullets are in a Pistol Magazine?

For semi-automatic pistols the magazine capacity can range widely, but many common models hold between 5-17 rounds from the factory. Single stack magazines will be on the smaller end while double stack mags can hold more. Compact pistols for concealed carry often have reduced magazine capacity around 5-7 rounds.

Full size duty pistols usually carry over 10 rounds. The Glock 17 9mm, one of the most popular police handguns, comes standard with a 17 round magazine. The small S&W Shield only packs 6+1 rounds in its standard mag. So pistol magazine capacity can vary a lot, but 10-12 rounds is common for many mid size 9mmsemi-autos.

What is the Standard AR-15 Magazine Capacity?

The standard magazine capacity for America's most popular rifle, the AR-15, is 20 or 30 rounds. The original military issue magazines for the M16 and M4 hold 20 or 30 rounds of 5.56x45mm ammo. Aftermarket magazines for civilian AR-15's very commonly also provide 20 or 30 round capacity. While 10 round mags are sometimes mandated in certain states, the standard USGI AR mag will have either 20 or 30 rounds.

This allows the AR platform to provide plenty of firepower when needed. The ability to quickly reload with spare mags gives AR's versatility for defensive use.

How Many Bullets Fit in a Revolver Cylinder?

For revolvers, the cylinder capacity is fairly standard across models, unlike semi-auto pistols. Most revolvers hold 6 rounds of ammunition in the rotating cylinder, which is often fluted to reduce weight. 5 shot revolvers are also fairly common, found on many small snubnose models for concealed carry. 7 or 8 round cylinders exist but are less common. The 6 round capacity provides a good balance of size and firepower for double action revolvers.

Speedloaders make reloading a revolver fast and easy. So check the specs, but most revolvers will have 5 or 6 rounds in the cylinder.

What Factors Affect Magazine Capacity?

There are a few key factors that determine how many bullets a pistol or rifle magazine can hold:

• Caliber – Smaller caliber rounds allow more capacity. For example, a 9mm handgun mag holds more rounds than the larger .45 ACP.
• Magazine dimensions – Wider, double stack mags allow greater capacity than slim, single stack designs. Grip size limits capacity in concealed carry guns.
• Intended use – Compact defense handguns sacrifice capacity for concealability, while full size duty guns prioritize firepower.
• Reliability – More rounds in a mag can potentially cause feeding issues, so manufacturers test reliability.
• Regulations – State laws restricting magazine capacity override factory specs in places like California or New York.

So capacity is ultimately a balancing act between size, weight, use case, and regulations for the firearm.

Do All Guns Use Clips or Magazines?

Not all firearms use detachable magazines or clips. Here are some examples:

• Revolvers – Bullets are loaded directly into the rotating cylinder.
• Bolt action rifles – Ammo is fed from an internal fixed magazine.
• Lever action rifles – Rounds are fed from a tube magazine running parallel to the barrel.
• Break action shotguns – Shotshells are loaded directly into the breech.
• Muzzleloaders – Each round is loaded down the muzzle separately.

So while detachable box magazines or stripper clips are common, especially for semi-autos, other guns are loaded very differently. Always check your owner's manual for proper loading procedures.

How Many Rounds in Common Rifle Magazines?

Here are some typical magazine capacities for popular centerfire rifle platforms:

• AR-15 – 20 or 30 round standard mags
• AK-47 – 30 rounds standard
• Ruger 10/22 – 10 or 25 rounds in factory mags
• SKS – 10 round fixed magazine
• M1A – 20 round capacity
• Mini-14 Ranch Rifle – 5, 10, or 20 round magazines

Of course, specialized aftermarket magazines may offer extended capacities where legal. But those above represent common factory specs.

What is High Capacity vs Standard Capacity?

Whether a magazine is considered standard or high capacity depends on your jurisdiction and its laws regulating magazine capacity:

• Standard capacity typically refers to the stock magazine size the firearm was designed for. For example, 30 rounds for an AR-15.
• High capacity has no universal definition, but in restrictive states like California it can be as few as 10 rounds.
• Large capacity is defined federally as over 10 rounds for handguns and handgun magazines, but this does not ban them. State or local laws may prohibit them.

Always consult relevant laws, but be aware that “standard” and “high capacity” are relative terms without fixed technical definitions.

Are There Limits on Magazine Capacity?

There are sometimes legal limits on magazine capacity, but federal law does not restrict capacity:

• Federal law has no limit, except manufacture of magazines over 10 rounds is prohibited 1994-2004 under the expired Federal Assault Weapons Ban.
• State/local laws in NY, CA, CO, CT and others restrict magazine capacity from 10-15 rounds. Possession and use of reduced capacity magazines is mandatory.
• “High capacity” bans on mags holding over 10-15 rounds have been passed but struck down in CO and CA, so legality is complex.
• Ownership of pre-ban full capacity magazines is grandfathered in under some laws. Manufacture, sale or import may be illegal.

So while federal law sets no capacity limits, some state and municipal laws impose restrictions. But these vary widely and face court challenges. When in doubt, consult a lawyer about your area's laws.

Can You Extend Magazine Capacity?

In most cases, no – extending magazine capacity beyond factory specs is illegal under the National Firearms Act:

• Permanent extensions like welding extensions on a mag body are illegal without NFA registration as an ‘Any Other Weapon'.
• Removable extensions that attach to expand capacity also violate NFA regs unless registered as an AOW or registered with a tax stamp prior to the '94 AW ban expiration.
• Only pre-ban registered magazines with extensions are exempt from NFA rules. State laws may still prohibit post-ban extensions.
• No registration is currently possible for new magazine extensions. Only mag mods registered prior to the '94 AW ban are legal.

The rules are complex, but in general, magazine extensions that take a mag over 10 round capacity are illegal federally without registration. Carefully research your state and federal laws before attempting any magazine modifications.

How to Know Your Gun's Magazine Capacity

To identify the standard magazine capacity for your firearm:

• Check manufacturer product specs – Most list the capacity for the gun model online or in manuals.
• Read capacity markings – Many magazines are stamped with capacity info, usually on the floorplate.
• Refer to user forums – Owner discussion boards often have extensive real-world capacity info.
• Contact the manufacturer – Check with the maker directly if capacity is still unclear.
• Physically count rounds loaded – Manually load a magazine while counting rounds until full.
• Review your owner's manual – Look for capacity guidance and safety warnings.

Following one or more of these steps will allow you to positively identify the correct magazine capacity for your specific firearm. Never guess – always verify.

What is the Difference Between a Magazine and a Clip?

Clips and magazines are not the same:

• Clips are simple strips that hold rounds and guide them into internal magazines. They do not have feed lips or act as ammunition storage. Clips drop free once rounds are fed.
• Magazines are the ammunition storage and feeding devices. They have feed lips to control cartridge positioning and function independently. Magazines remain in the firearm during firing.
• Common clip examples are 8 round clips for the M1 Garand rifle or 5 round stripper clips for the SKS rifle.
• Common magazine examples are detachable box magazines for AR-15's and AK-47's. Pistol magazines are also true magazines, not clips.

So in summary, clips just help quickly load ammunition into magazines. Magazines are what actually supply rounds to the chamber. Be sure to identify whether your firearm uses clips, magazines, or something else entirely.

So in conclusion, magazine and cylinder capacity varies widely, but is tailored to the firearm's intended use and designed within regulatory constraints. Carefully review your owner's manual to positively identify the proper magazine for your gun model and how many rounds it can legally hold. Stay safe out there!