How do soldiers know when a clip is used up?

Question

I've always wondered, its not like in video games, there is nothing on the gun that tells you how many rounds you have left. Do you just keep a rough estimate going in your head?

Obviously it was a lot easier to tell when the U.S. used m1 grands =]

Answer 1

Some count but most can tell they're empty when the weapon stops firing.

In the case of a clip, you can see it coming.  When using magazines, you just kick the old one out and slap a new one in.

Answer 2

If you are talking about a combat rifle, after you have been in a few fire fights it just comes second nature, you know when the clip is about to empty. It is just a bunch of BS thinking that you are going to be counting the rounds, h**l you are in a firefight, you are trying to kill the enemy, and trying not to get killed, you are concentrating on returning accurate fire, counting rounds are just going to get you killed. In most cases the indivdual with the most firepower wins.  This is not saying in a very lengthy fire fight and after reloading a few clips, you are not becoming aware of the danger of running out of ammo--you will begin to feel the weight lost.

If you are talking about an automatic weapon (machine gun), the sound of the end of the belt leaving the box, puts a big lump in your chest.  

Answer 3

maybe when the rounds stop firing?

Answer 4

One way is to put a tracer round in with five rounds to go. When you see the tracer start thinking about changing magazines.  

Answer 5

We would keep several tracers at the bottom of the mags so when we would see three red tracers come out we would know. Of course we didn't broadcast this so the enemy could learn our TTP (tactics, techniques and procedures) and we didn't always do it at night either. A good Soldier would have fire discipline and would be able to keep some track of their rounds expended (not all of course). Also you always roll with a fresh mag when moving out when possible.

FYI: that loud 'plink' a M-1 makes wouldn't be fun to have on today's battlefield with assault rifles everywhere. We could use plastic mags with the ammo visible like other countries and civilians do here but not my call...

And big up to "OldCorps" for being on the money too. That's true combat vet knowledge. He is right, you just get a feel...

Answer 6

On a pistol, the slide will pop back after the last round has fired, on a assault rifle, it just stops firing. Sometimes assault rifles have clear polymer magazines so they can see how many rounds are left. Yes they generally try to keep track about how many rounds are left.

Answer 7

Most of our fire is very accurate shots, it's not like a video game where you just spray around either. They keep an rounded estimate count.

Answer 8

yes, soldiers keep a rough estimate of how many rounds they've fired and they also go by the weight of the mag.  if its heavy, its got some ammo.  if its light, there is none or little ammo in it.

Answer 9

You keep a rough estimate and if your weapon stops firing, execute SPORTS and perhaps change your magazine.

Answer 10

When the weapon does not fire anymore, but you sould keep count 2.