In a magazine, which component pushes cartridges upward toward the action?

• A. Lips
• B. Spring
• C. Follower
• D. Floorplate

Answer: (C)

In a magazine, the part that directly pushes cartridges upward toward the chamber is the follower. It sits on top of the magazine spring, and as the spring is compressed, it lifts the follower and the cartridges stacked above it. This upward motion presents the top cartridge to the feed lips so it can be aligned and fed into the chamber as the action cycles. The lips guide and hold the cartridge at the top but don’t push upward themselves. The floorplate (base plate) simply closes the bottom of the magazine and anchors the spring; it doesn’t push rounds upward.