Switching ammo in Glock mags

[SDShooter]

Ever since I've owned my Glock, I've been switching ammo between my two home defense mags about once a month. I read somewhere it improves the reliability of the mags because the springs do not stay compressed for a long time. Is this true, or am I wasting my time? Also, can the springs be replaced?

Thanks.

 

[Zerodefect]

Moving is what wears springs, not load or compression. You can leave your ammo in them as long as you want.

Though I unload my ammo down range every month or two, or remove it just to see if it's corroded and clean lint out of the mag.

 

[DaBull]

This wears the mag springs (compress/uncompress) compared to leaving them loaded (compress only). Also, if you are chambering the same round over and over as you swap out mags, you could be setting your bullet back in the case, which could lead to increased pressure (KaBoom) when you fire it.

 

[Lvl21nerd]

great question, i have been wondering the same thing (replace 'Glock' with 'CZ')

springs can be replaced
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=865730

 

[LiveLife]

Unlike the older Gen1/2 Glock magazine springs which got weaker (last 1-2 rounds in the mag did not get support spring "push" and did not feed properly) after prolonged max round count loading by LE officers, newer Gen3+ magazines come with "extra" tension springs meant to be loaded to max all the time.

I load my new Glock magazines to max (usually -1 to 2 rounds to max due to stiffness of the mag spring) and after a while they relax to allow proper spring tension to support full round count and still provide adequate spring support for last 1-2 rounds to feed properly.

I keep two hi-capacity G22 magazines (bought pre-10 round ban for CA) full all the time for HD and 10 rounds in my G27 mags with +1 Pearce mag base. I have replaced springs in my Gen1/2 magazines, but have yet to replace the springs in my Gen3 mags.

BTW, when you order replacement Glock mag springs ($6), be sure to get the "+10% extra power" springs (they come 5-10%+) and I prefer Wolff springs.

 

[SDShooter]

Thanks everyone for the good info. Now I'm a little worried about using the ammo I've been switching between the mags. I hate to toss 10 rounds of Speer Gold Dot.

I have only 10 round mags in CA, and I always have to use the compressor gadget to load the last two rounds. For that reason, I only load 8 rounds at the range.

 

[VA27]

Just moving the ammo between mags won't hurt it. It's the top round that has been chambered over and over that could hurt you by 'setting back' the bullet in the case and causing an overpressure event (sometimes called a 'KaBoom') when the round is fired...an unpleasant experience at best.

Line your rounds up on a table or get a caliper and check the OAL against the spec. for the round you are using. Anything shorter than spec. should be pulled down for salvage or discarded.

 

[Zerodefect]

Thanks everyone for the good info. Now I'm a little worried about using the ammo I've been switching between the mags. I hate to toss 10 rounds of Speer Gold Dot.

I have only 10 round mags in CA, and I always have to use the compressor gadget to load the last two rounds. For that reason, I only load 8 rounds at the range.

Glocks have a stiff mag spring. I do the same thing, that way I don't wear my fingers out reloading, so I can concentrate on trigger feel.

Just make sure all your rounds look the same and are the same length. Rechambering can set back the bullet and over pressure a round.

10 rounds is no biggie though, pitch them if your unsure or worried. I usually shoot my expensive carry ammo before it gets too old. It costs extra, but we need to test out carry ammo selection anyway.

 

[LiveLife]

Now I'm a little worried about using the ammo I've been switching between the mags. I hate to toss 10 rounds of Speer Gold Dot.

You are probably ok, but if you have a caliper, you can measure them to see if there's any bullet set back.

 

[SDShooter]

OK, I feel better now. None of the rounds have ever been chambered, just switched between mags. I'll measure them just for giggles, and load the rest of my Speer rounds in the empty mag. No more switching. Thanks again.

 

[wow6599]

Cycling the mags will wear it out, not compression of the springs.....with some exceptions. Some double stack mags, like in Glocks, are over-compressed when fully loaded and won't last as long as others. I keep all my hi-cap double stacks -2 when stored.
YMMV

 

[Tilos]

It will be for giggles as I can't imagine bullet setback of premium ammo from simply unloading and reloading it into a magazine.

What would the 17th round in a mag look like after firing the first 16 if setback resulted from inserting and removal from a magazine.
Firing 16 and checking the 17th is standard proceedure for reloaders to check for set back.

 

[LiveLife]

OK, I feel better now. None of the rounds have ever been chambered

I was under the assumption that they were chambered. No worry over bullet set back then.

 

[Strahley]

You're probably "hurting" them more by unloading/loading them over and over. Springs don't (normally) wear out by just staying compressed