How full should a mag be for a home defense handgun?

[jawman]

Half full? 3/4 full? Completely full?

Will storing the full amount of rounds decrease spring tension longevity and weaken the spring over time? How often should the rounds be removed from the magazine to give the spring ample time to rest/reset, or should the magazine be disassembled and the spring be stretched back to original length? How often should this be done?

E.g., for a 15 round max 9mm pistol, how many rounds should be stored in the mag for home defense as to not weaken the spring?

-How many for a 10 round .45 1911 style pistol?

I've always wondered what everyone recommends.

Thanks.

 

[dirtengineer]

Completely full. The firearm should be shot and cleaned regularly. If you are worried about spring force, replace them.

 

[hogshead]

Full plus one in the chamber. I have a G22 thats is fully loaded and has been for 5 years except for when I shoot it and clean it.Never had a problem.

 

[BeerSleeper]

Full.

Get out and shoot it regularly. This accomplishes two things. You will be in good practice (1), and you are regularly testing your equipment for proper function (2).

fun is just a bonus.

 

[Bovice]

Another vote for completely full+1. If the gun is any less reliable based on how many rounds it has in the magazine, you shouldn't be using it for serious purposes.

 

[BeerSleeper]

Mine are always full -1, because that one's in the chamber. I don't bother to top off the mag after chambering. If I were headed somewhere rough enough I thought that one round would make the difference, I'd be bringing my rifle (which would also be loaded to full - 1)

 

[2TransAms]

Springs lose tension through the cycle of compression and decompression. Leaving it fully loaded (or unloaded) won't matter either way.

 

[armoredman]

Mine are full +1...just in case.

 

[Michael R.]

full

 

[bigbomar4]

All of my mags are full at all times. I dont keep one in the chamber on the rifles or non carry/night stand guns though. Springs only wear out from use not from sitting in one spot.

 

[Ben86]

I keep mine under loaded by one because I leave them loaded for a month before cycling mags. It may not be necessary, but I just don't like leaving my mags fully loaded for a month straight. I also keep them unchambered.

When carrying I load it to full capacity then chamber a round.

Most wear does happen during the flexing of the spring, not simply being compressed.

 

[NG VI]

Why on Earth would you load your magazines half full?

 

[1SOW]

CRAMMED Full +1.
You can't play poker with 51 cards. You might get shot trying.

 

[orionengnr]

Full as a tick.

 

[Skribs]

Fill the magazine. Whether or not you use +1 is personal preference. I personally don't do +1 because all my handguns are carry/HD, and when I'm carrying I like to have a place to put the spare bullet if I clear it.

 

[NOLAEMT]

Full magazine with one in the chamber.

the springs in a magazine get worn out by being cycled, not by being left compressed.

 

[Rail Driver]

I keep all my mags all the way full. Load doesn't wear a spring out, cycling it does.

 

[needmorecowbell]

Full +1 in chamber and spare mag within reach. Never can have too much.

 

[shiftyer1]

I recently found an old magazine I loaded for my first pistol. I was 15 and had left it out or something and my dad put it up. It just turned back up, dad found it in an old shoebox in the closet. Next year it would have been stored loaded full for 20 years. I just had to try it out..........not one malfunction.

 

[briansmithwins]

Agree, full load +1.

If you're no 100% sure of your weapons you need to shoot more. Either you will trust them or get rid of them.

BSW

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Will storing the full amount of rounds decrease spring tension longevity and weaken the spring over time?

No.

How often should the rounds be removed from the magazine to give the spring ample time to rest/reset, or should the magazine be disassembled and the spring be stretched back to original length?

Very definitely, don't do that.

I always keep magazines full, plus one in the chamber, no matter the capacity.

 

[MachIVshooter]

^^^^^^

This. Springs wear from use, not just being compressed.

Stretching them will cause increased tension for a short time, but they will rapidly fatigue to less than what they were.

 

[jawman]

Why on Earth would you load your magazines half full?

Well, obviously I don't know why, hence the reason for me asking.

I also had a gun store associate tell me that he only loads 5 rounds in his nightstand 1911, and then said something like "if 5 rounds won't get the job done, you shouldn't be shooting in the first place" or something to that effect. He also might've said it weakens the spring, or maybe I just assumed that since he said he doesn't keep them fully loaded. I can't remember exactly because it was a while back, but something definitely made me think that it was bad for the spring.

I also just found this article through a Google search. Not only does it say that storing a mag fully loaded is okay, but it also explains why it's okay:
findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_163_27/ai_99130369/

Thanks to everyone who contributed something helpful and informative.

 

[al1599]

Mine stay at least full, sometimes if I'm feeling a little friendly after cleaning I'll put a +1 until my next shooting session

 

[ChCx2744]

I also do full +1. The only guns I don't believe in keeping full +1 are shotguns. I keep shotguns with mag tubes only loaded halfway with an empty chamber (Shell telescoping issues); for example, if it has a 4 round capacity, I keep 2 in the mag and the cuff and side saddle full. The mags in my rifles are fully loaded, but I keep the chambers on them empty. My handguns are all fully loaded with +1 in the chamber.