[drf]

I dont plan on shooting my Ruger .45 all that often and would like to know if leaving the bullets in the clip for a long period will ruin the clip and spring in anyway???

[burrhead]

No.

[PCRCCW]

Ditto! Using the mags is what wears the spring out. Constant load will not affect the life of the spring. I have had a softer follower end up with an indent the shape of a round, though.
Shoot well

[tbeb]

I just had to replace two magazines because their springs weakened. I alternated them--one was always loaded. They worked fine for 9 1/2 years. After that pistol sometimes failed to feed. It is once again 100% reliable with the new magazines.

If I were you, I'd buy a spare magazine and alternate them. I change mine like every two months.

Note: I have fired many rounds in the above, high capacity gun. I don't know if use weakened the springs or if keeping magazine always loaded was the culprit. Maybe a combination of the two...

[Kahr carrier]

I dont think it bad to leave clips loaded, I left 3 1911 clips in my 4x4 fully loaded for about a year and 3 months and found them in door pouch at the range and used them at the range today without any FTF.:)

[Sgt]

drf,

My advice.....take it, or leave it....is to.....

Listen to everyone but.........tbeb.......:):)

[1911Tuner]

I've told this one before, but it's worth re-telling.

I examined a 1911 Colt that had been stored in Condition 1 since
the death of its owner. The chamber was hot...the magazine full...
The hammer was cocked with the thumb safety engaged.

I cleared the pistol and examined it, but left the magazine alone.
I rechambered the round from another magazine, locked the
original mag in place, and fired the pistol to slidelock. Function
was perfect.

The owner died in his sleep in 1929. His wife stored it in the attic
in a shoebox. I saw the pistol in 1990 or 1991...The exact date
is a little fuzzy, but I'm pretty sure it was '91.

Cheers!

Tuner

[tbeb]

drf,

For an expert answer to your question, go to the following page of the Wolff Gunsprings web site: www.gunsprings.com/Resources/FAQ.htm#5

[mete]

This is an often repeated urban myth . However a properly made mag spring will not "take a set " or weaken.

[PCRCCW]

mete, Yep...I have to agree.

Two things will kill a spring in two different ways...

Using it as it was designed in normal use will surely and slowly weaken a spring but it will take a while. :rolleyes:

Over compression. The latter will kill the best spring in record time.
If you cant push down on the top round of a fully loaded mag and feel some give or "spring" left...youve overcompressed the spring. You want
some movement....

Mags that design "out" the possibility of over compressing the spring, like 7 round 1911 mags will very likely last the longest. XP mag springs never hurt either especially in a CCW.

Shoot well

[Redlg155]

If you carry concealed then more than likely your springs will get a good amount of work. Daily chambering, rotating rounds, range practice, periodical cleaning and inspection all work your magazine springs. I try to get a new spring kit at least yearly for my carry mags (provided I keep it that long. :D ) . A couple of bucks is worth the peace of mind.


As with the others, magazines left loaded under a controlled climate will last for a good while. Whether or not magazines loaded and left in a garage is another story. Theoretically the cold and heat could make the springs expand and contract, thus "working" them. Of course this is just a theory of mine and I've never tried to prove it.

Again...if in doubt, just change the springs out yearly. To some it might seem to be a waste of money,but you being comfortable with your equipment is all that matters.

Good Shooting
Red

[1911Tuner]

Sound advice from Red. Brownell's carries a good line of extra-power
(5%) for most autopistols. Cheaper by the 3-pack, and excellent
insurance against spring fatigue/set. I installed them in my gaggle
of range magazines three years ago, and they're still cookin'...and
I shoot a LOT.

Be of good cheer and mindful of your back.

Tuner

[MrAcheson]

A properly made spring should be fine. However plastic followers in magazines will stress relieve and may become damaged this. Something to think about.

[1911Tuner]

McArcheson said:

A properly made spring should be fine. However plastic followers in magazines will stress relieve and may become damaged. This is Something to think about.
-----------------------------------

AY-GREED!

Cheers!
Tuner

[drf]

Thank you all for your replies, You've all been a great help with much information! I just purchased another magazine today and I'll put in 5 rounds and switch back and forth about twice a year....Thanks again!!!...drf

[RustyHammer]

and I'll put in 5 rounds and switch back and forth about twice a year....

Son, sounds like you need to get to the range more!

[Bowlcut]

just out of good practice...if i havent shot the gun in a month, i change mags. doesnt happen often tho. usualy shoot atleast once a month sometimes 3... just if its been a bad month i exchange mags out of good habbit for some reason...

[Skunkabilly]

Ok, not the springs, but what about the feed lips?

MAGAZINE, people, MAGAZINE!!!

[Bowlcut]

i type mags just because i cant spell magazine right half the time.... :confused: truthfuly....i am the reason spell check was invented

[Cthulhu]

2 more killers of loaded magazines that might not be considered are vibration and corrosion. Vibration does not affect the springs so much as the magazine body and cartridges. Pistol and large rifle cartridges have enough weight and inertia that prolonged vibration from a motor vehicle, particularly motorcylces, can cause magazine failure. Over time the magazine lips can cut into the top cartridge in the mag, causing deformation and even the destruction of the top round. Vibration in heavily loaded magazines can induce failure of the feedlips and can also cause baseplates that are not mechanically interlocked to walk off mag body. Base plates with the spring loaded stud are good at preventing this problem, but not all mags are constructed this way, even today. If you subject your weapon to heavy and prolongued vibration, inspect the mag and loaded ammunition for signs of damage/deformation.
Corrosion, even light surface rust, weakens springs significantly and can cause a myriad of feed problems. Regular maintanence and inspection of the magazine body/spring will prevent this, but many people never break down their magazines.