Keeping magazines loaded

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HeXeD775

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Im new to the semiauto world, purchasing for CCW/home defense.

How long is it OK to keep the mags loaded to full cap? Do the springs ever compress to the point of failure to load rounds?
 
To summarize the other threads Glockman alludes to: Essentially it's repeated compression and decompression that wears any spring out. Load 'em up, but check function at least quarterly at the range to be safe.
 
Back ~ 2000 I read an article in a gunrag about a mag that had been loaded since sometime in the 50's...

They shot it and then shot ~ 200 rounds through it.

It functioned fine.

From my research 'I' am sadisfied that MODERN spring steel is of such quality that staying loaded is not gonna cause it to weaken, but that the number of repitions (Of loading and unloading) that eventually wears it out.

I loaded up a couple of 1911 mags in 2000, I plan on testing one in 2020, and one sometime after that.

-One point, disasemble a mag... you will see the spring is ALREADY compressed.

Read, and decide for yourself. I have tested mags loaded for 5 years... no problems.
 
For the most part, you have no need to worry. Most of my mags stay loaded at all times. The exception is my Para P14 magazines. They're loaded to 13 rounds. Its been my experiance that loading them to 14 drasticly reduces the lifespan. YMV.

Other than the P14 mags, all are loaded to capacity.
 
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