ExAgoradzo
Member
Anyone have problems with keeping the mag loaded. This is a Ruger P89 with 15 round mag that I'm keeping 10 in 24/7. Is that a problem long term on the spring?
loaded magazines
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Lex Luthier
Member
More experience here will be revealed, but the short answer is yes. The solution is to expect to replace the mag springs as par for the course if you keep it loaded 24/7.
CapnMac
Member
Or to not expect so, if the state the springs are in is constant.
Only real test of magazines is to load them up, then take them out and empty them.
Only real test of magazines is to load them up, then take them out and empty them.
Snowbandit
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The springs are designed to work within a certain pre-established operating range. Leaving the magazine completely loaded, as long as the spring isn't over compressed, will do it no damage at all. Springs only wear when they are moving. Stretching or compression beyond design limitations is death on them. Leaving a magazine fully loaded is fine.
T Bran
Member
I dont think its any more likely than the springs going bad on a truck if its not jacked up every night to releive the tension but I dont jack up my truck so maybe I dont have a valid means of comparison. They could be getting weaker as I sit here typing.
T
T
The problem is you having 10rds in a 15rd mag!!
No kidding. Load them to capacity and keep them that way. With regular use you'll know exactly when the springs are a problem and need to be replaced. I'd be very surprised if, with light use + fully loaded 24/7, you need to change the springs more than once every few years.
OP
OP
ExAgoradzo
Member
Thanks guys.
Keeping it 2/3 loaded was just my weird way of thinking that maybe it was nicer on the springs: I'll add 5 more rounds.
BTW: This is my first auto. The only problem with it is the owner. All my wheel guns are Ruger and I'm not dissapointed so far with the P89.
Keeping it 2/3 loaded was just my weird way of thinking that maybe it was nicer on the springs: I'll add 5 more rounds
.BTW: This is my first auto. The only problem with it is the owner. All my wheel guns are Ruger and I'm not dissapointed so far with the P89.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
This is generally well established at this point: Springs fatigue through many repeated cycles, not through being held at any constant position within their intended operating range.
Load them up and leave them!
Load them up and leave them!
OP
OP
ExAgoradzo
Member
And thanks for the tip on buying new springs. I think I'll just get a couple and keep them on hand.
PRM
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Got a Beretta 21A that has been loaded constant for 15 years (except when plinking on the range) ~ No problems. That is probably the longest run on any gun I own. I have others that are in the 7 - 10 year range.
On one of the many threads on this topic, I remember one post that ask "do the springs on your car go bad sitting in the drive way." Sort sums it up.
On one of the many threads on this topic, I remember one post that ask "do the springs on your car go bad sitting in the drive way." Sort sums it up.
possum
Member
There is no reason in any handgun that I have used that you should load the magazines any less than what the stated capacity is.
the point of buying springs was brought up, that is a great point, it should be part of your kit. mag springs, and other springs needed for your guns.
Don't be affraid to toss mags when they are worn out (ie not fixable with the change of a spring). They are expendable, and a bad magazine is not something that you should bet your life on.
Zach S
Member
Agreed. I have a Randall Magazine that gets misplaced for years at a time, fully loaded (Randall went out of business in '85). Every time I come across it, put it in the range bag for my next trip. I get back from the range, reload it, and put it in a box somewhere, where its lost for years again.
Never had a problem with it. The same goes for my LEO G17 magazine, that I got in late '04.
Now, if only I could find both mags at the same time, and put them in the same box...
edit: My Para P14 magazine springs wore out pretty quick, as did the replacements, so I started loading them to 13 rounds. I haven't replaced the springs since. Aftermarket mags (Mec-gar), only hold 13, so I'm wondering if Para was trying to squeeze too many rounds in there.
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bigfatdave
Member
they might be letting the springs pass their "springy" zone and transition into "damage" ... it is possible, sometimes, to have coils overlap inside when fully compressed, which obviously you can't see without an X-Ray or equivalent.
Generally you can leave them loaded, though there are always the oddball magazines that don't like it. I've seen them fail at random too, when fully loaded for long periods of time.
I typically have three magazines for any of my autos. One is in the firearm, one is with it. Once every month I unload the magazine in the firearm and put the second magazine in the fire arm. The third magazine I load up. This is the average for me, and I will tear down that magazine if it allows it, clean it up for dust/lint when I check over the firearm. I've done this and never have had a problem with a magazine. I just make it part of the maintenance.
I'm also not afraid to throw away a suspicious magazine or rebuild it. As others have said they can be replaced, generally speaking very easily. Ten to thirty bucks is not worth your life if you doubt something.
I typically have three magazines for any of my autos. One is in the firearm, one is with it. Once every month I unload the magazine in the firearm and put the second magazine in the fire arm. The third magazine I load up. This is the average for me, and I will tear down that magazine if it allows it, clean it up for dust/lint when I check over the firearm. I've done this and never have had a problem with a magazine. I just make it part of the maintenance.
I'm also not afraid to throw away a suspicious magazine or rebuild it. As others have said they can be replaced, generally speaking very easily. Ten to thirty bucks is not worth your life if you doubt something.
yustinus1973
Member
If it was made for 15 rounds then it gets 15 rounds just my two cents.
ForumSurfer
Member
I second this advice, but you'll get naysayers that will argue this to kingdom come...but I seriously doubt you will wear out your mags any faster.
I don't keep my aluminum feed lipped ar-15 mags loaded for fear of bending them...but glocks, xd, 1911, magpul pmags or whatever else I have laying around stays loaded up for either defensive use or preloaded for practice use. I've done this for years with no issues other than replacing mag springs at recommended intervals.
bigfatdave
Member
how would that help? The springs don't get tired or bored in there, you're just adding a cycle to their lifetime
bergmen
Member.
Not if they are properly made and used they won't. Do you go in and replace the valve springs on your auto engine on a regular basis? They will last indefinitely.
Springs (coil springs especially), if made of the correct metal and properly heat treated will not deform if "worked" within their elastic range (properly applied springs will always stay in this range). Once you go into the "plastic" range (past the design parameters), it will deform.
Magazine springs from reputable manufacturers will not deform over time or cycles of use.
Dan
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bigfatdave
Member
do you put your car up on jacks at night to prevent the suspension from wearing out?
bergmen
Member.
danez71
Member
This just isnt true.
Think about how many places sell replacement valve springs.
Left in a vertical position, every spring will sag/shrink over time even under no load or use. I'm talking centuries.... dont nobody get in a hissy fit over it.
The fact is it will loose some ooomph. How much and how fast is dependant on its overall design and manufacture of which no one knows here.
Ive posted a lot of supporting data in past threads from various sources.
Bottom line is nothing lasts forever despite what people want you to believe.
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