Howdy, folks,
Today’s educational topic is one that’s simple, yet somehow still full of pain (literally): how to load your magazines.
Let’s be clear right off the bat—these aren’t “clips.” They’re magazines. Or mag clips. Or evil weapons of mass destruction, depending on who you ask. Whatever you call them, we’re talking about the kind of mags that go into your standard AR-style platforms and Glock pistols.
There are a few different ways to load these, and in today’s post, I’ll show you three of the most common (and how not to hate your hands by the end of the day). (You can watch a Youtube video on this topic here). |
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1. Loading by Hand: The Old-Fashioned WayThis works for your standard STANAG mags or Glock mags. Got some cartridges? Got an empty mag? Great. Now push the rounds in one by one.
There are a couple of techniques:
- Push the round straight down into the mag.
- Hook the edge of the cartridge under the feed lips, then slide it back into position.
Add a little tap at the end to make sure it’s seated, and you’re good.
BUT…
Do this too much, and your thumbs will start screaming. Especially with pinned mags (like the ones we deal with here in Canada). Once you get to that 4th or 5th round in a mag pinned to 5, the spring starts pushing back—hard.
And let’s not forget the internal rivets. Sometimes there's a little flare or bump inside the mag that causes the spring to bind up, making it even harder to push that final round in. |
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2. The Budget Loader: TNA Mag LoaderThis is our go-to simple, affordable solution—a TNA-branded loader that does the job without bells and whistles.
Inside the loader, you’ll see a little plunger finger, and behind it, a dingleberry (yes, that’s the technical term). That little nub prevents you from jamming the cartridge in too far.
Here’s how to use it:
- Lift the loader slightly.
- Drop the cartridge in.
- It hits the dingleberry and lines up.
- Push down, and in it goes.
You can use the palm of your hand if you need more force. It's cheap, effective, and forgiving. If you lose one, no big deal. Toss a few in your range bag and go. |
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3. The Premium Option: Maglula (a.k.a. The Ferrari)This is the Cadillac of magazine loaders. Or the Ferrari, if you like speed.
The Maglula clips onto the mag's catch and glides rounds in effortlessly. You just walk it forward—super smooth, no sore thumbs, no fuss.
But be warned:
- These things are pricey.
- You’ll cry if you lose it.
- They only work with mags that have a compatible catch (so not universal).
Still, if you’re doing a lot of shooting and want something fast and reliable, this is your best friend. |
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So Which One Should You Use?It all depends on your setup and how much you're shooting:
| Loader Type | Pros | Cons |
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| By Hand | Free, available anywhere | Hurts thumbs, slow | | TNA Loader | Cheap, works on any mag size | Not the fastest | | Maglula | Fast, smooth, thumb-saving | Expensive, not universal |
Whether you’re using a 30-round body pinned to 5 (thanks, Canada), or a 10-round Glock mag, the method doesn’t really change. Even drums—whether 50, 100, or 120 rounds—follow the same principles.
Just make sure you’re feeding from the front, seating rounds properly, and not bending your thumbs backward. |
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Final ThoughtsFor folks loading mags pinned to 5 (as most of us do up north), the last round is always the hardest. That’s where tools like the TNA loader really shine. It’s simple, effective, and won't break the bank.
If you're all about speed and volume, and don’t mind the price tag, grab a Maglula and never look back.
If you would like to see the Youtube video we made on this topic, click here to watch it.
And remember—
they’re not clips. They’re mags. Or clip-mags. Or the reason your thumbs hurt.
Thanks for stopping by the "See" Can!
– Stanley |
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