Does anyone here still use stripper clips?

[Phaethon]

They're naturally great for any manner of bolt-action rifles. Chargers were, in that regard, obviously employed for a specific and effective reason; to load existing rifles faster than what was humanly possible with hands alone. Thus there's no reason people wouldn't use them today, especially since there's so many of them, and so many included in those surplus tins we're all buying up.

As for your SKS - well that's a different story. I can see how that would be something of a pain; perhaps you should get an SVT-40?

 

[Robert]

My brother loads his AR mags with strippers.

 

[12guagecody]

i use stipper clips for my norinco sks and my finnish mosin nagant. i also used them for the m44 i used to have. with practice it is almost as fast as a mag change

 

[john5036]

I use stripper clips for my Mauser. I don't have to, but it makes for easier, organized bullets for range day.

 

[bigfatdave]

I've found that the secret to using them is to keep your thumb as close to the clip as possible

Same here for both loading external magazines and internal magazines from a stripper clip.

For the SKS, I've found that wearing a light glove will save your thumb, but you can use an empty case as a thumb stand-in also. The strippers I have can be a bit rough, so bare thumb sliding down their outside edges can be painful.
For loading the M1 carbine mags (or an AR mag, or whatever), a steady surface is a big help, as is a smooth push, getting jerky just binds everything up.

There's no reason you can't get in the stripper clips with a wire brush to de-burr and a greasy cotton swab to lube just a bit before loading up for the range doesn't hurt either.

 

[madcratebuilder]

I use stripper clips on Enfields, K-31's, Mausers and to load AR and M14 mags. Even a C96 pistol.

 

[bbuddtec]

AR- stripper clip user, simply a no-brainer.

 

[Geneseo1911]

Call me crazy....I keep most of my spare 5.56 for my AR on strippers. It is much easier to load magazines that way, and I figure that if I ever needed to load mags in a hurry it would be a good idea to have the option. Much easier IMO to slide 10 rounds on a stripper and push them in than to force each one in individually. I wish my double stack handguns gave me that option.

 

[bri]

I use clips to load my AR mags. Spending a little down time in the man cave loading clips, saves lots of time at the range.

 

[Guns&Religion]

Good information folks, (glad to hear it's not just me using them).

 

[XM855]

AR + StripLula + stripper clips = fast loading with a cool (IMO), albeit loud sound, just like guns should be.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Yep, in 7.62 and 5.56 NATO.

 

[RockyMtnTactical]

Yup, still use them, not only in my SKS, but in my AR15'S.

 

[Ignition Override]

Just now and then, and with a little practice they became easy.

But why load full stripper clips, if at all? It tends to help cause more ammo consumption and very hot barrels.
Loading just three rounds stretches out the fun.

If large tribes of feral pigs, the Hezbollah or the Taliban (yes, also stinking swarms of feral Schweine) ever invade Shelby County and the Memphis area, more practice will be needed.

"Celebrate diversity": SKS, Mini 30, Enfield #4, Garand...

 

[center shot]

I use them in the rapid fire stages of vintage rifle matches (10 shots in 80 seconds).

 

[zfk55]

I have them in my bug-out magazine bag. This particular bag takes 6 20 round .223 magazines per side with a wide, velcro sealed center pouch. (I'm hoping not to have to bug-out very far with all that weight!)
With 12 20 round magazines and the center pouch allowing for for 20, 10 round loaded strippers, its as much as anyone can practicably carry. The spare parts field kit is on a velcro sealed pouch attatched to the double-cross carry straps. Without strippers the number of rounds carried would be greatly reduced.

 

[DougW]

Chargers!

 

[Average Joe]

I use them in my SKS rifles, and on my M1A.

 

[bigfatdave]

But why load full stripper clips, if at all?

Because the cheap box the ammo came in is falling apart
Because I want to be shooting at the range, not loading
Because a half-full stripper clip doesn't store flat like a full one

 

[jjjjeremy]

Yep, and my rifle is a 100% civilian rifle too! Winchester model 54.

 

[Ruger44mag]

I havent bought them yet but I plan on getting some for my mosin. If you think about it one round at a time (for a reload) in a defence situation isnt practical.