Storing fully loaded magazines

[dprobert1]

I have heard differing opinions on storing loaded magazines. Some folks recommend not doing this because of damage to the springs. Others say it is not a problem because the newer magazines (springs) are built to stay compressed for a long period of time without losing their original pressure. I am curious on what other people are doing. Are you storing your high capacity magazines (15 or greater rounds) fully loaded? If so, do you empty them on a regular basis and rotate through other magizines? Would appreciate advice from others on maximizing the life of my mags. Thanks.

 

[Hostile Amish]

I keep about 20% of the total magazine capacity loaded. That way, if there is an emergency, I won't have to fill 'er up, and the spring can stay mostly decompressed, so I can just fill it to maximum when I go shooting.

 

[BADUNAME37]

We've been round and round with this and

the consensus is that the springs will not be damaged if your magazines are loaded with cartridges (loaded meaning to capacity, not over).

I suppose if they are cheaply made (junk) then there is a possibility that they could pose a problem, however with quality magazines and components, there should be no problem (just like keeping a gun loaded).

I store my magazines (for a rifle and for a pistol) loaded to full capacity at all times.

 

[rscalzo]

We have guys on our job that have had magazines loaded since 84 for their S&W 659's and other of that era. All magazines function just fine.

 

[orchidhunter]

We use to rotate our mags every payday, at that time we were paid once a month. orchidhunter

 

[rcmodel]

Is it time for that question again already? :banghead:

Springs wear out from cycling them over & over.

Springs do not "rest" when the mag is unloaded.

Unloading them & reloading them every two weeks wears out the springs faster then just leaving them loaded.

The springs on your car are compressed & holding up your car's ton & 1/2 weight when it is parked all the time.
They would last forever, or at least indefinately, if you didn't drive the car & flex the springs over & over again.

Some magazines, like the 1911 7-round, can be left fully loaded for basically forever. John Browning designed them that way so the spring is not even close to it's yield strength.

Others, like Glock, sacrificed spring life for an extra round or two capacity.
Download them by two and their springs will last indefinitely loaded.
Heres more:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_163_27/ai_99130369

rcmodel

 

[Boba Fett]

I keep a number of my mags loaded and I've never had a problem with the springs.

I had heard that some of the cheaper magazines (specifically AR-15 mags) had some issues with the magazine lips getting warped over time as the loaded cartriges pushed against them.

Any truth to that?

 

[rcmodel]

All I know is, I only use old Colt and GI issue mags I have had for a very long time.

I don't waste my time or money on cheap mags.

But, I can tell you this.

I have many 20 & 30 round M-16/AR mags that have been loaded continuously with 18 or 28 rounds since about 1970.
And the M-16 mags were used when I "acquired" them from Uncle Sugar in 1969-70.

Same with Ruger Mini-14 mags that were brand new in 1972, or 73?

Same with GI 30 round M-1 carbine mags I got used in 1964.

They still function perfectly every time I shoot up the old ammo and reload them with new ammo.

rcmodel

 

[Boba Fett]

I don't waste my time or money on cheap mags.

Nor do I. I was simply saying that I had heard that about the cheap mags. I don't even know if it is true. I haven't had any problem with my mags warping like that, but like you, I buy quality mags.

 

[Treo]

This is an interesting question,I bet it's never been brought up here before,
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=395513&highlight=loaded+magazine
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=388661&highlight=loaded+magazine
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=348386&highlight=loaded+magazine
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=147743&highlight=loaded+magazine
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=147743&highlight=loaded+magazine
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=62126&highlight=loaded+magazine
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=413454&highlight=magazine
Well whatta ya know I was WRONG

 

[possum]

i personally believe that the best route to go is to use good quality mags for one. load your mags to capacity not over load, and change the springs out at a reasonable interval.

i can tell you that i have the same 10 magazines for my xd service model for over 3 years, and it was at about the 3 year mark that one of my mags finally went down on me, i replaced the spring and i am good to go. the mag had been setting with ammo in it for extended periods of time, as well it had been cycled through countless times during training. I now replace my mag springs once a year or when ever they need to be if before that.

 

[Carl Levitian]

My father had a Colt Woodsman he bought in 1937. He passed away in 1981. that old woodsman was his only gun for most of his life, and was his only handgun. It was his traveling companion, and it was kept loaded and on his bedside table. It always functioned perfectly. He had some spare mags for it, and I don't know if he rotated them, but 71 years later they fuction perfectly.

Dad signed for me when I was in my last year of High school for a new Ruger standard modle I paid 39.95 for. I bought spare mags for it over the years, and the original mag still works perfectly.