Dumb Questions???

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WalHam

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I know these might be dumb questions, but I'm gonna ask them anyway.

What are the chances that bullets can be fired when loading or unloading a magazine? Also, is there a dangerous chance that bullets can go off when sitting in the pressures of a magazine for long periods of time?

I ask these questions because new magazine springs seem to be very strong and it's sometimes very difficult to push a bullet in them, and the chances of a bullet slipping off of your fingers and hitting any part of the magazine is pretty real. Just a thought.

Thanks.
 
You can relax! Inserting a round in a magazine will not set it off, and sitting in a magazine will not set rounds off. The primer must be struck by something like a firing pin, and there's nothing like that in the magazine.

There are also sources for devices which help you load magazines easier, maybe someone will post a link as I can't find any web sites for those right now.
 
Something like the product on this page can also help until you get those mag springs broken in.

How are you trying to load the mags? I've seen lots of people who just needed a little technique troubleshooting...

-Teuf
 
Teufelhunden, thanks for the link. My magazine spring is much better than the first time, but I'm still having a hell of a time with the very last round. I seem to be having this problem with one of my magazine, and the other is fine. I'm not sure if it just needs more time to break in, or if I need to replace it. :confused:
 
I'd give it a bit more time. Weak mag springs can cause failure to feed, and also failure to lock the slide after the last round has been fired.
 
While we're on the subject, would keeping a magazine loaded for long periods of time, loosen the spring enough to keep the gun from feeding properly?
 
If you keep any spring compressed for long enough, it'll eventually "take a set" and not want to expand to its full length again; most people who worry about this rotate their carry mags when they rotate their carry ammo. It's not a real concern, but if it bothers you, you can just swap out to another mag every month.
 
Ah, Grasshopper, you have stumbled upon one of the age-old firearms questions. Ask 10 shooters and you will get 11 answers.

I think all agree that it can be done in the short-term to loosen the springs up.

As for long-term storage... I personally leave some mags full, not others.
The metallurgists and physicists among us get all hot and bothered every time this question is asked.

For you next post, ask which is better, 9mm or .45acp. :evil:
 
There are many factors and forces that dictate spring longevity and wear. The material from which they are made, coils per inch, etc. There ane several threads that cover this in detail. You can look in the "Autoloaders" forum and find a thread called "magazine spring compression", also look to the old www.thefiringline.com for a wealth of information. Use the "search" function to find all the threads containing the "keywords" you wish to research.
 
WalHam, I use HKS mag-loaders. They are about $ 12.00 and you can get them for nearly every brand of gun at your local shop or at MidwayUSA, Numrich, Midsouth Shootes Supplies, Natchez, Cabela's, Galyan's...

It's simple and easy.
 
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