a magazine for rod - shaped articles comprises a storage unit having at least one inlet for receiving at least one of the articles supplied to the storage unit and at least one outlet for discharging at least one of the articles positioned in the storage unit . a variable length belt element disposed in the storage unit has a length which defines a fixed storage unit for accommodating a predetermined number of articles . the length of the belt element is expandable for defining a working storage unit , the volume of which can be changed with the expansion of the belt element .