Heard a new (to me) reason not keep mags loaded

[xcgates]

@Joe: They have you actually pull the spring? That could actually change the property of the spring itself, though simply pulling it apart and cleaning it could be beneficial.

There you have a perfect example of someone who made a decree because he was in charge, and thought he knows better than the manufacturer. I don't think any manufacturer would recommend stretching the spring.

Now if you mean just letting the spring relax, that won't have any appreciable effect, other than just being one more make-work thing. (Not that the military ever makes up work for people to do, right?)

 

[clamman]

So I guess I have to put my car on blocks every night so I don't hurt the springs?

 

[CZguy]

So I guess I have to put my car on blocks every night so I don't hurt the springs?

No, but it would help your springs longevity a great deal if you would stop driving it, and just leave it parked.

 

[old and slow]

The magazine in my Ruger pistol has been loaded almost continuously since I got the pistol used in about '71. The only time it has been empty was when rounds were shot out or it was being cleaned.

When shaken the gun sounds like a baby's rattle, but the rounds feed quite well. I haven't noticed any reduction is spring pressure, but then...I am getting old.

 

[MAUSER]

I was told just keep 25 rds not 30 and your safe.
The issue is the lips not the spring! And Magpul is in bussines to make money
on any thing any way they can!

 

[eye5600]

When I was in Basic Training (1969), we loaded M14 mags with 18 rounds. I think there was some explanation about jams, but I don't really remember. I always thought that it could have more to do with reducing the number of rounds used by trainees. Or, since the mags were loaded by trainees, maybe they found that the mags got damaged forcing in the last two.

In real life, as opposed to training, M14 mags were loaded with 20 rounds.