Wait until you catch your thumb on the end of the stripper clip by accident. You will then start using the combo tool to push.
As far as all the wear and tear stuff goes, I can't imagine you could ever wear these out, but go back to the lots of ammo stuff. Do you really want to be reloading your rifle by inserting a stripper clip, etc when people are shooting at you? Hell no!
Plus you lose the stripper clip option as soon as you add a scope mount.
funny- i 've had one for almost 40 years on and off, and NEVER done that yet- i know it's in the book, along with using the buttplate to push the rounds
off the spoon,- not EVERYBODY that was issued the m14 had the web gear and extra magazines to go with- that was the REASON for the bandolier and charger clip arrangement- aboard ship, f'rinstance there was only one mag , and that was in the gun- spares were stowed seperately-as was the ammo -
some of us acquired web gear and spare mags through nefarious means