How does a gun magazine work?

Answer 1

Inside the magazine there is a spring which pushes the rounds into the chamber. When the magazine is empty, the bolt or slide is locked and will not go forward, unless the bolt/slide release catch is pressed. When a fresh magazine, with rounds inside of it, is inserted into the magazine housing, the bolt/slide release catch is pressed and the weapon is ready to fire again. For some weapons the cocking handle will need to be re-cocked, and for others you don't even need to cock.