Questions:
1. What is the relationship with the vendor and "ma deuce"? I am not the only one wondering.
2. Springs do not deteriorate when left in a constant state (loaded, unloaded, partially loaded). Springs wear from use, which means compression and decompression.
3. The vendor writes ... "magnets can began to lose some strength after being heated beyond their curie point (which is around 180 F) but since a person cannot survive at 180 F, this is not a real world limitation." While I tend to agree that a person cannot survive at 180 degrees F (at least for very long) I wholeheartedly disagree that 180 degrees F is not a real world limitation for a firearm, especially one used by soldiers. If I left one of your magazines on the dashboard of my car on a sunny day, I absolutely guarantee you it would reach 180 degrees. What then?
ETA: Wishin beat me to it:
It seems to me that a black rifle (AR) would in fact achieve temps in excess of 180 degrees inside of an enclosed vehicle. Now, we know a soldier wouldn't leave his weapon in a hot vehicle , however should that happen, magnets would be degraded.
While a soldier might not want to leave a weapon in a hot vehicle, weapons and magazines, like all other military supplies, are often
stored and transported in harsh conditions. How does one guarantee a magazine was not inadvertently subjected to a temperature of 180F in the shipping process?
4. Magnets, regardless of type, have problems with shock other than breakage. Specifically, they tend to demagnetize. Experiment: Magnetize a screwdriver, then pick up a nail. Take the same magnetized screwdriver and give it a good solid whack on concrete. It's not going to pick up the nail anymore. I'm guessing recoil energy, over time, will weaken your magnets. Have you had a lab analyze fresh magnets and then re-analyze them after 10 or 20 thousand recoil cycles (rounds fired)? Admittedly, this solution might work in a low-recoil firearm, or a firearm with good recoil management like an AR (gas piston). My guess is things would not fare well in a high recoil firearm -- think 50AE Desert Eagles or 12 gauge shotguns with buckshot or slugs.
5. I was able to look into the magazine a few seconds into the video, right around the time you said there were no springs. I saw something that looked very much like a spring. It was several inches long. What was it?
6. How would this system function in a ferrous (magnetic) magazine?
7. How would this system functon with a ferrous (magnetic) firearm? Would the magazine hang up or drop free?
8. The magnets you use are extremely powerful. This is a three-part question with an embedded two part question.
Shipping: I know the US Post Office has shipping regulations for high energy magnets. Is your product capable of being (legally) shipped by the Post Office?
Liability/injury: If I am holding a magazine in my hand and come into contact with a vehicle or large ferrous object, would I become impinged/crushed/pinched (see warning labels that came with your magnets).
Detection (two parts):
I believe satellite technology exists to survey magnetic fields. Would a large military supply vehicle or stationary weapons bunker (purposefully built or expedient) with a large number of magnetic magazines be detected?
If these magazines become commonly used by military forces, could a crafty insurgent develop an IED to trigger based on the presence of a strong magnetic field (aka a soldier)?
Be prepared for most of these questions if you decide to submit your design for evaluation or seek investors who perform a modicum of due diligence.
Some more information:
q: Do magnets ever lose their magnetism?
http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae472.cfm
Also:
Working magnets used in permanent magnet lifting machines typically last about 25 years. Each lift causes deterioration due to the work done by the magnet assembly. The magnets are replaced in these large lifters at that time. In permanent magnet motors, the loss of magnetism due to work is not noticed because the mechanical parts of the motor fail long before any significant deterioration of the magnets.
Stored energy in a magnet can be calculated by measuring the circulating current and using, as example, 25 years time (life
expectancy) for this magnetic current to flow. United States made high grade neodymium magnets store the approximately 7500 watts per
pound for their useful life. The stored energy can be found taking 7500 watts times 25 years equal to about 1.6 million kilowatt hours
per pound.
Assuming coercive force is not exceeded or the magnets are not discharged by other means (see answer to the question "do magnets ever lose their magnetism" above), you can calculate the work done in attraction or repulsion by standard work formulas using path, distance, and force required. This work can then be compare to the stored energy of the magnet and a value for the life expectancy of the magnet system can be calculated.
