# World War 2 question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 10, 2001, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-question/80607 "2001-09-10T03:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fredge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@Fredge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredge)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-question/80607/1 "2001-09-10T03:12:00Z")
In _Saving Private Ryan_ and now in _Band of Brothers_ I’ve seen American soldiers tapping their clips/magazines/bandoliers against their helmets prior to loading them into their weapons. Was there a practical reason for having done this or was it a ‘knock on wood’ kind of superstitious thing or is it just a Hollywood thing? ---
**Author:** ![Tedster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@Tedster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tedster)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-question/80607/2 "2001-09-10T03:17:05Z")
It’s done to make sure all the rounds are seated properly and tensioned properly against the spring inside, in order to preclude jamming. ---
**Author:** ![Fredge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@Fredge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredge)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/world-war-2-question/80607/3 "2001-09-10T03:26:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tedster \* > \*\*It’s done to make sure all the rounds are seated properly and tensioned properly against the spring inside, in order to preclude jamming. \*\* Thanks **Tedster**. I thought it might be to attempt to clear dust or debre that might have gotten in the device but I’m never sure what to believe from movies.