Definition: A clip is a device that holds loose rounds of ammunition together prior to inserting the ammo into a gun, but which does not usually act as the primary container of said ammunition while it is in the gun.
Clips may or may not be loaded into the gun itself, along with the ammunition. Clips that may be loaded into the gun include en bloc clips, half moon clips (as shown in the photo), and full moon clips.
Probably the most widely-used type of clips that are not inserted into the gun but are merely used to ease the loading of ammunition into a magazine are stripper clips. These clips hold ammunition in a row and allow several rounds to be loaded into a gun's magazine using one downward motion.
Clips are not to be confused with magazines, which are completely different.
- Russ Chastain
