Welcome to the WWII Forums! Log in or Sign up to interact with the community.

Military "Click" Distance ?

Discussion in 'Information Requests' started by DarkIce, Aug 31, 2008.

  1. DarkIce

    DarkIce Dishonorably Discharged

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2008
    Messages:
    63
    Likes Received:
    3
    How long is a click? I read its one kilometer, is this true?
     
  2. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2008
    Messages:
    10,480
    Likes Received:
    426
    One "Klick" equals one Kilometer. In military terms, a "klick" means a distance of 1000 meters (one kilometer, or .62 miles)

    "People tend to agree the common use of "klick" as a distance dates back to the early 1960s. Some people say it became common among American troops who were serving in Germany at that time while others attribute it to troops serving in Vietnam alongside troops from Australia. Anyway, the bottom line is that "klick" is our military's slang for kilometer.
    What is interesting is that "click" is a shorthand term among military marksmen for setting the sights on their rifles. The use of "click" comes from the sound made as one adjusts the rifle's sights for range (that's distance for those who don't speak military "

    http://www.news-journal.com/featr/content/features/stories/2008/08/26/08262008_answerline.html
     
  3. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2008
    Messages:
    10,480
    Likes Received:
    426
    "In "military-speak," the term "click" (spelled with a "c" instead of a "k") is used when sighting-in a weapon, such as a rifle. On most weapons, one "click" equals one second of arc, or -- in other words, one inch of distance at one hundred yards. So, moving the site adjustments of the rifle "one click" will change the point of impact one inch for a target 1,000 yards away, two inches for a target 2,000 yards away, and so forth. The term comes from the clicking-sound made by the sight adjustment knobs as they are turned."

    U.S. Military FAQ -- How Far is a "Klick" in the Military?
     
  4. Lippert

    Lippert Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2008
    Messages:
    422
    Likes Received:
    26
    we say "click" as kilometers, or when referring to mils on rifles and sometimes artillery.
     
  5. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2008
    Messages:
    10,480
    Likes Received:
    426
    Been "Klick" with a "K" since I could remember. And thats a very long time LOL.
     
  6. Lippert

    Lippert Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2008
    Messages:
    422
    Likes Received:
    26
    Can't say I ever wrote it in my 8 years in :)

    But I reckon it makes sense.
     
  7. JCFalkenbergIII

    JCFalkenbergIII Expert

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2008
    Messages:
    10,480
    Likes Received:
    426
    I grew up with it being an Army Brat. :)
     
  8. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Aquila non capit muscas

    Joined:
    May 12, 2003
    Messages:
    8,809
    Likes Received:
    372
    Location:
    Portugal
    One 'mil' is 1/1000 (millesime) of a radian. That is, one mil = an arc of 1meter over 1,000m distance.

    Really a very convenient way to define arcs. A deflection of 200m at 5000m distance would be 40mil.

    (also works for inches, yards, leagues, parsecs, you name it :) )
     

Share This Page