Some are trying to be informative; Others are just playing semantics
Original poster made clear that his question dealt with a law enforcement handgun. It is superfluous to introduce comments on things like the magazine of a fort or a war ship, a place where ammunition is stored away from the guns.
I'm surprised that no one has brought up the (factually correct) point that a revolver's cylinder is a magazine, in that it holds the ammunition within the firearm, ready for firing. And revolver speedloaders are the same as a clip, in that it is used to load the revolver's "magazine."
While we're on revolvers, it can be mentioned that the 1917 Colt and S&W service revolvers utilized sheet metal "half moon clips" to hold three .45 ACP cartridges in the cylinders. Later developments/refinements went to "third moon" clips holding two rounds, and "full moon" clips, holding a full cylinder load.
Please note: Any post consisting entirely or largely of a "Plus" comment (+1, +2, etc.) will be edited or removed entirely. If you have a contribution to make, please do, by all means. Writing ,"I agree with him," or "ditto" is NOT contributory.
I believe this topic is exhausted, BUT, I don't want to appear to be having the "moderator's last word." I'll leave this one open for another day or so.
Johnny Guest
THR Staff