What does the term 'follower' refer to in a firearm's magazine?

The term 'follower' in a firearm's magazine specifically refers to the device that pushes rounds up towards the feeding mechanism of the firearm. When a round is fired, the magazine needs to present the next round to the chamber so that the firearm can continue firing. The follower moves upward as rounds are consumed, ensuring that the top round is always positioned for the action to chamber it.

This is crucial for proper firearm operation, as a malfunction can occur if the follower fails to operate correctly or if it becomes jammed. Understanding the function and purpose of the follower is essential for maintaining the reliability and safety of the firearm, as it directly affects how smoothly ammunition is fed into the chamber.