I have app. 20 mags for my 3 AR's and they are all aluminum, mostly Brownells'. My question is this, I see no point in having all those mags and leaving them empty but I see that leaving them loaded might bend the feed lips over time, how many rounds down should I load them? They are 30 rounders.
Keeping your AR mags loaded?
- Thread starter CZ223
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Victor1Echo
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I've read leave 2 out--28 rounds.
ny32182
Member
I've left GI mags loaded for months at a time (not quite "forever"; I know) and have never bent a feed lip as a result. If they worked before, they worked after.
The only reason I would download them is if I thought I was going to be doing fast tac reloads (on a closed bolt).
I've come to the conclusion that like a lot of things you hear on the internet, the GI mag deficiencies touted therein may be based in truth, but are now way overblown.
The only reason I would download them is if I thought I was going to be doing fast tac reloads (on a closed bolt).
I've come to the conclusion that like a lot of things you hear on the internet, the GI mag deficiencies touted therein may be based in truth, but are now way overblown.
Zerodefect
member
I download the GI mags to 28, more for tactical reloads than feedlip damage. I have a hard time seating the mag on a closed bolt with 29 or 30 in.
I switched to Pmags exclusively now. They have a plastic cover that keeps the rounds off the lips during storage.
I switched to Pmags exclusively now. They have a plastic cover that keeps the rounds off the lips during storage.
DMK
Member
I've had all mine loaded to 28 rds for years. When I empty them at the range, I reload them when I get home. No problems.
I also download mine two rounds to allow mag insertion on a closed bolt, not to save the mag spring.
I also download mine two rounds to allow mag insertion on a closed bolt, not to save the mag spring.
Bartholomew Roberts
Member
You can leave them loaded with 30 rounds for years - I've got several pre-1994 magazines that have been stored like this and are fine. Typically the reason for downloading to 28 rounds is so you can load with the bolt closed more easily.
I know that Magpul has done some investigation suggesting that tension on the feed lips can contribute to feed lip spread over time; but in practical terms I just don't think it is an issue. Magazines are a wear item and will eventually wear out. When they stop working as designed, identify the problem magazine and replace it. That is a much easier solution than worrying about feed lip spread during storage since you'll have to identify and replace problem magazines anyway due to normal wear and tear.
I know that Magpul has done some investigation suggesting that tension on the feed lips can contribute to feed lip spread over time; but in practical terms I just don't think it is an issue. Magazines are a wear item and will eventually wear out. When they stop working as designed, identify the problem magazine and replace it. That is a much easier solution than worrying about feed lip spread during storage since you'll have to identify and replace problem magazines anyway due to normal wear and tear.
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