Very reliable. Strip clip loading into (fixed and detachable) magazines was common in WW2. The Vz. 58 is unusual for carrying on the feature into the assault rifle era.
You may already know but just to add to things, they were extremely common because machining tolerances weren’t quite there yet to make cheap reliable interchangable magazines. Even once they were starting to be designed to be interchangable soldiers would still need to find a particular magazine that works reliably in their specific weapon. Stripper clips were far cheaper to make and while not quite as fast as changing a mag in a modern firearm but once you are used to it it’s not that big of a disadvantage.
Yes, this is still the ideal way to refill magazines. Though the unique part of the Vz.58 is being able to refill with the clips directly into the rifle, rather than detaching the magazine to refill them. The rifle has a built in clip guide.
Perhaps I’ll show off a handheld 5.56mm clip guide at some point.
I’m curious about how reliable that method is
Very reliable. Strip clip loading into (fixed and detachable) magazines was common in WW2. The Vz. 58 is unusual for carrying on the feature into the assault rifle era.
You may already know but just to add to things, they were extremely common because machining tolerances weren’t quite there yet to make cheap reliable interchangable magazines. Even once they were starting to be designed to be interchangable soldiers would still need to find a particular magazine that works reliably in their specific weapon. Stripper clips were far cheaper to make and while not quite as fast as changing a mag in a modern firearm but once you are used to it it’s not that big of a disadvantage.
And it takes 3 clips to fully load it.
You can still buy 5.56mm rounds on 10 round stripper clips. You just need a little accessory called a “spoon” to load (detached) AR mags with them.
Yes, this is still the ideal way to refill magazines. Though the unique part of the Vz.58 is being able to refill with the clips directly into the rifle, rather than detaching the magazine to refill them. The rifle has a built in clip guide.
Perhaps I’ll show off a handheld 5.56mm clip guide at some point.