i know, at the range just this morning, i have a Maglula (universal fit) and it does get difficult getting in the last 2 cartridges for the 16 total.I've seen enough evidence to make me download by 1 or 2 rounds with MOST magazines. But otherwise most of the magazines I own stay loaded all the time. I fill em back up after shooting them and I've never had a problem.
I think it is less critical with the old school magazines like 7 round 1911 magazines where you can easily load the last round. But some newer magazines where you really have to work to get the last couple of rounds in may overstress the springs. On those I store spares down by 1 or 2. Basically I stop on the last round that goes in easily.
I keep all my pistol mags loaded all the time, as the guns wont shoot without them. If you shoot often (And you should if possible), you theoretically could notice failing mag springs, and can replace them inexpensively. I have not experinced this though. All my mags are loaded at least one round less than capacity. This isn't to save springs, it's to ensure that the mags function like they should, disregarding the Marketing department's goals.ok, i did use the search feature, i could not find what i was looking for. (maybe i worded it wrong?)
in any event, with my glock i got 3 mags, with the cz, i will be getting 2, and i already bought an extra one.
here is the question:
if i loaded up one mag for each gun, and kept them in my closet, is there any sort of time limit they can be kept loaded, before the spring(s) either weaken or give out?
reason for keeping these in the closet, is for added safety, but still quick to reach, and pop into either gun. if any of this makes any sense.
thanks to all in advance
buddyd
And in CO that is just 10 rounds, right!!!My rules..all magazines loaded all the time..even in the safe. G26-5, G17-4, G42-5..AND my other 'rule' shoot often, to 'exercise' those things..
Why? Cuz it's fun to shoot and you find out of a magazine DOES have a problem.
I would added suggest to # mark your magazines, 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C.
The question of "fatigue limits" and "creep strain" (which apparently is only a factor at 4X the melting point (Degrees Kelvin) of a given metal) is discussed in detail here
The idea that its only cycles that wears springs is proven a myth just by the fact that it if it were true, we would be seeing recoil springs wear out at least 10 x faster than mag springs assuming only 1, 10 round mag per gun.
And in CO that is just 10 rounds, right!!!
the thing is this, as the instructor had said, using a hollow point will certainly take down the intruder, and (if i recall what he said) the bullet will slow down and not go say into the next room, wall, etc, where someone (like family) can be hunkered down.''my "intention" is to not load them up full, like maybe 12 cartridges rather than the full 16.''
Whatever your round total you finally land on, I would suggest NEVER loading past that .Last thing you need in a self defense/SD situation is not remembering how many you started with. Enough things will blurr as it is.
''and the mag(s) i choose, most likely now both the CZ and Glock, will of course have hollow points. as i WAS told by my instructor, it's highly recommended over round points.''
Well I was told...
In relation to mag failure, FMJ feeds just fine, truncated tips feed just fine...ALL modern factory ammo SHOULD feed just fine. You will have to shoot n' find out. Some HPs may not expand at all or minimal (big oops for SD).
But between all modern factory cartridges, my $$ would be on the least failure to feed on...FMJ with round tip config for the win.
In relation to self defense any will work although a slight edge to HP.
OK and back to mag failure due to #s of stored rounds etc. The primary failure of a semi-auto pistol to go 'bang' is a 1st guess...MAG FAILURE. Which could be as simple as not seated fully before the firing session.
I would added suggest to # mark your magazines, 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C.
And overall 2 final points, your internal pistol springs i.e. recoil spring will fail b4 the mag springs IMHO and point 2, as others have shouted, WELCOME!!
Well put, Pat.I have darn seen fisticuffs over this subject and witnessed many online dust ups. Some people get a little touchy over their “spring theories”.
With today’s spring technology, springs from a quality source, will last a long time. All springs weaken over time when worked. By “worked” I mean compressed and relaxed over time.
Without verbally kicking anyone in the shins over their spring practices or their theories I will just say; Here is what I do:
I have at least 12 magazines for each magazine fed gun, be it a handgun or long gun. If the gun is to be for carry or home protection I select 6 magazines and mark 3 as “one set” and 3 as the “other set”. (Example - for Glock mags I mark the bottom plate Mag insert button with a silver or gold Sharpie)
Magazines marked silver get loaded together and stay together with the gun for a month or so and then I unload them and load the gold mags for a month or so. I rotate them.
The 6 or more mags that are not in rotation are used at the range. I am a firm believer in having lots of mags so 12 is my minimum per gun.
If I find a spring weakening on a defense gun I replace the set of all 3 mags with new and the original 3 mags become range mags.
Yes, it sounds like overkill, perhaps, but that is my process.
I am happy to say that I have never worn out a Glock magazine spring but I have worn out the magazine body and had the lips expand. In that instance I mark the entire magazine as “bad” with a Sharpie and it becomes a target at a future outdoor range session.
You see, Murphy is a son-of-a-b....
If I have an unmarked faulty magazine it WILL somehow get mixed in with my good mags and cause me issues. I remove that possibility. I destroy and replace. I don’t keep crap mags for drills or practice. If I encounter someone that does and they have a need for the same mags as my crap ones I will give them the bad mags with the promise they won’t intermingle their mags with mine if we shoot together.
This brings up another point. If you shoot with other folks keeping your mags separate from other’s mags is important. I used to have a couple shooting buddies that weren’t as particular with magazine care as I am. A couple of times I ended up with a couple of their crappy mags.
A magazine can be the weakest link in the operation of a mag fed gun. If you buy quality mags you should get quality springs in those mags and they should be reliable.
Budget mags = budget springs = future problems. Mis dos centavos.
Welcome to the High Road.
I am not arguing I'm asking a question here.
Recoil springs and magazine springs are under different loads and do different jobs so wouldn't that be a hard comparison to make or is that just a general example.
Also this guy appears to be planning to leave the magazines loaded over time instead of unloading and loading them
Nope..15R and only if bought after July1, 2013..all my mags bought before that...And in CO that is just 10 rounds, right!!!
Effective July 1, 2013, Colorado requires background checks for all firearm sales at the buyer's expense.Magazines that are capable of accepting more than 15 rounds or are designed to be readily convertible to accept more than 15 rounds cannot be sold or transferred within state limits..
yes, and thank you.Well, welcome to our patch of craziness. We tend to be friendly rather than flaming.
My simple answer for you, is go get more magazines of each type (I will recommend OEM rather than least-expensive). Then pick a time frame, and jst swap them out.
I have a personal bias towards shooting the full ones empty and reloading the new ones with fresh ammo. This is not the cheapest way. It's the way I find most fun, though []
Mind, I'm just one dude, and I really have only been at this since 1985, there are older and more experienced voices here to listen to.
yes, and thank you.
when i was ordering my CZ 75 B, i also bought one extra magazine, made by, MEC-GAR?, and this one was made in Italy. the gun store said they make excellent OEM quality parts?
anyway, it was $26.00.
reading the wording on the front of the package, it says, "over 100 million OEM firearms magazines made since 1965"
so if there is any truth in advertising, i shall see.
you heard of this company before??
the Mec-Gar website wants $35.09....over the price of $26.00 from the gun shop