[rjp2005]

Dumb question - does anyone know why the clip was designed like a banana?

[VOA]

Dumb question - does anyone know why the clip was designed like a banana?

My best guess would be it was done to keep the clip from being so long
(as a vertical magazine), so that it could be shot passably while the
shooter was crouched or closer to the ground.

Being it would have been ackward if it had a horizontal magazine
(like a Sten), the "banana" may have been a good compromise.

Hmmm...maybe they were just copying the banana clip the Germans
had for the MP43/44.

[gaijin]

The 7.62 x 39 mm round is heavily tapered: rear portion of the round is considerable wider than the front. The characteristic curve approximates the natural cartridge stack.

The sturdy, reliable, and LONG mag means the shooter is at pains to get into a low and safe firing position, when in the prone.

[VOA]

Also, seeing how the outline of the round is sort of a slender triangle, it could
be that a curved (banana) clip is just the most natural and space-efficient
way to stack a bunch of the rounds.

[MarkL]

Dumb question - does anyone know why the clip was designed like a banana?

I'd need to check into my reloading manuals which have case dimensions to be sure, but I'd wager that the 7.62x39 has a more sever taper to its case than a round like the .308 or the 30-06. The taper would require a "banana" shaped magazine, while cartridge cases that are relatively straight walled, or at least having less taper, are fine in straight magazines.

Mark

[Nebr FAL owner]

To make it be able to hold 30 rounds,the AK-47 is a weapon which the function of the weapon dictates its form.