Mag Spring set test. Findings

[chevyforlife21]

For those who say set from a full mag being loaded is a myth get this, two weeks ago I ordered a wolf replacement mag spring the 500/590 8/9 shot version it measured 29.5 inches new original was at 26 being 3 years old. After 2 weeks fully loaded tube 7 rounds in the tube persuader I just took the spring out its now only 25 inches long there was no cycling or disturbing the tube in this time

 

[chevyforlife21]

Forgot too add this was on a mossberg pump 12g for those not familiar

 

[rcmodel]

Initial spring set when it first compressed is a fact.

After that it won't continue unless you cycle it and wear it out.

http://www.brownells.com/.aspx/lid=...t-Between-Different-Types-of-Spring-Materials

rc

 

[wally]

Who says springs taking a set is a myth? The myth is that leaving them loaded somehow weakens the springs. Springs wear out eventually from cycling not from sitting at their working length.

Wolf springs, while generally very good seem to take more of a set than most, they mention it on there web site that this is "normal".

 

[Deus Machina]

Between guns, paintball, and the work I do for some clubs at school, I've found that springs often do take a set, it's just usually not detrimental.

Say you buy a spring that is 10 inches long. You put it to its intended application, and after a brief while it softens a little and now measures 9.5" This is usually normal, and a spring from a good supplier is designed for it. What they're not designed for is to be forced to total compression or just over compressed, at which point they will start to measure 7" long and be softened considerably.

Otherwise, over working periods, they just loosen up until they can't do their job, but will still often measure 9.25" or 9" or so.

 

[Drail]

Talk to any police armorer who has had to maintain pump shotguns that have been locked in a cruiser fully loaded for a long time. (and not cycled) Most of the time the mag spring will choke on the last 2 or 3 rounds on those guns. There's no definitive rule on this that will apply to all springs. Your best bet is to not leave them loaded to full capacity unless you absolutely need to and never assume that they won't weaken. Some will. Some won't. Some magazine designs push the limit on compressing the spring when fully loaded. Just don't find out one fine day when it really has to work. You gotta check this stuff.

 

[writerinmo]

There's springs, and then there's "quality" springs. If you buy from the cheapest supplier, sometimes you get a lesser product. A lot of manufacturers don't make their own magazines, and a lot of magazine producers probably don't make their own springs.

 

[bigfatdave]

are you comparing the factory spring to an aftermarket spring?

 

[chevyforlife21]

Factory is an inch longer but thin. Wolf spring is heavier so I'd trust it more

 

[bigfatdave]

if you're comparing two entirely different springs, your measurements are pretty much worthless

 

[wally]

Talk to any police armorer who has had to maintain pump shotguns that have been locked in a cruiser fully loaded for a long time.

Don't know about what the police buy, but my Winchester 1300 sat mag fully loaded, chamber empty for 12+ years, our club opened up a plate rack for shotguns recently, so I took it out to give it a go and let my wife get familiar with it. Worked perfectly.

Maybe if they store them vertically in the car, like on TV, the rounds bouncing in the magazine tube as car hits bumps in the road wears out the springs.