Leaving clips loaded

[redscho]

Argument among gun cronies.

Leaving clips/magazines fully loaded will eventually cause the spring to take a set.

True or false - or something in between?

 

[highorder]

FALSE.

Cycling causes spring failure. Period.

 

[Fumbler]

It depends.
If you're talking about stripper clips like the ones for AR-15s, then they'll only hold up to a few uses if you bend the end tabs all the way closed. They'll last quite a while if you only bend then partway.
It doesn't matter how long you store ammo in those clips.
Clips for something like an M1 will never wear out.

Now, if you're talking about magazines, then highorder is correct.
It's cycling the springs in a mag that wears them out, not keeping them loaded.

 

[lanternlad1]

There have been reports of people finding their father's/grandfather's/etc guns that have been sitting loaded for 40+ years with no detriment to the mag springs. I don't think you'll have a problem with a reputable gun maker's magazines. Off brands and cheap guns (Jennings, Bryco, etc), then all bets are off, as those type of manufacturers don't really build their guns for the long haul.

 

[hso]

No

Cycling work hardens the metal. Sitting doesn't.

 

[fletcher]

Properly made springs will not wear out or lose strength just sitting loaded.

 

[rcmodel]

Gosh, has it already been a week since we answered this the last time?

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=463412&highlight=leaving+magazines+loaded

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=457223&highlight=leaving+magazines+loaded

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=454185&highlight=leaving+magazines+loaded

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=430435&highlight=leaving+magazines+loaded

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=416584&highlight=leaving+magazines+loaded

rc

 

[redscho]

Sorry, did a search on loaded clips, I should have looked for loaded magzines as pointed out by rcmodels. Now I have an answer to the question thanks to him. Now the next guy wanting an answer can enter either clips or magazines.

 

[chevyforlife21]

in the brownells catalog it acually says to leave your mags downloaded by 10 percent to keep your springs strong

 

[rbernie]

Wow, what a bunch of childish posts I had to delete. PMs inbound to the quarrelsome....