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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:09:49 PM EDT
[#1]
Yes I know this is a totally lame ass question. I'd appreciate it if somebody could inform me on magazines though and how long they can hold ammo and still function correctly...
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:15:30 PM EDT
[#2]
I've heard of people having a loaded 20rd M16/AR mag for over 20 years, then fired all the rounds off just fine.
There will be no problem at all with you keeping a 5 rounder loaded and ready. Remember, what wears out the springs is loading and unloading them. I think I remember Troy saying most mags are good for over 200 cycles. BTW- Just my opinion, a mini-14 wouldnt be my first choice as my primary home defense weapon, but if it is your only firearm, use soft points, hollow points or even varmint rounds to reduce over-penetrating. Edited because I'm an idiot. |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:15:47 PM EDT
[#3]
I posted a similar question a few weeks ago, but it was about ar15 mags. I came to find out that it was the repeated loading and unloading that wears a mag spring out. As long as you have a good quality mag, you should be able to keep it loaded almost indefinitely with no harm to the mag itself.
13th Monkey |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:19:23 PM EDT
[#4]
AFAIK keeping a couple rounds in the mag is not going to kill it.
Some ex servicemen here have mentioned that their armories kept 30 round USGI mags loaded for years at a time. I would download it a little, maybe for a 5 round mag put 3 in it, that should not cause spring problems. I keep USGI 30 rounders in my ar with 20 rounds, and 4 shotshells in my 5+1 Mossberg 590A1. |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:19:25 PM EDT
[#5]
Thanks for the information guys.
I only have .55 gr bullets that are used for plinking (steel?). Anyways I'll pick up some hollowpoints too. I need to start reading up on guns now that I own one. =] |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:20:33 PM EDT
[#6]
Originally Posted By Kalifornia Kid: I just bought a mini-14 (my first rifle) and don't know if it's alright to keep a 5 round mag loaded incase somebody breaks into my house. Will keeping rounds in a mazine ruin the spring? Thanks... If you plan to use your mini-14 for defense you have no choice but to keep the mag loaded. YOU WILL NOT HAVE TIME TO LOAD UP IN AN EMERGENCY. You also must periodically test fire your weapon to ensure it still functions. Mag springs are easily and cheaply replaced if they become weak. Some people will load the mag minus one round to try to keep some tension off the spring. |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:26:27 PM EDT
[#7]
Originally Posted By Kalifornia Kid: Thanks for the information guys. I only have .55 gr bullets that are used for plinking (steel?). Anyways I'll pick up some hollowpoints too. I need to start reading up on guns now that I own one. =] Invest in a 12 gauge or handgun if you can afford to. They are better (IMHO) for home defense. |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 12:33:45 PM EDT
[#8]
Originally Posted By Kalifornia Kid: I just bought a mini-14 (my first rifle) and don't know if it's alright to keep a 5 round mag loaded incase somebody breaks into my house. You're better off keeping a 20 or 30 round mag in it. |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 2:34:38 PM EDT
[#9]
It is not going to kill the springs. If I was you, I would get couple mags and just rotate the mags in use. That should solve your problem.
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Posted: 6/6/2001 2:52:39 PM EDT
[#10]
"Rotating" mags, meaning unloading one and loading up another, only puts more compression/decompression cycles on the mag, and THAT's what wears out a properly-designed spring. That and *overloading* the mag, which compresses the spring beyond it's design limit. That's why 10-rounders have such problems; because the mags are purposely designed to not leave sufficient room in the mag for the spring when loaded to capacity, thereby overcompressing the spring.
USGI 30-round mags are spec'ed for 6000 rounds, or 200 load/unload cycles, though they commonly last ten times that long. Load your mag to full rated capacity with tested M193-spec, V-Max, or Power Point ammo and leave it alone. It will be ready when you need it. And, if possible, pick up a factory (big $) or PMI/Precision Metal 20 or 30-rounder, and use THAT for home defense. -Troy |
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Posted: 6/6/2001 3:09:42 PM EDT
[#11]
Springs will compress a bit over time, just like the 1"+ thick suspension springs on your car. Look at a set of new springs compared to old ones. They are usually a few inches shorter after years of weight bearing down on them. Metal Fatigue. If you keep your mags at 3/4 capacity, the overall fatigue shouldn't be that bad if noticeable at all. However, if the mags are made of plastic, I wouldn't keep them loaded as plastic tends to swell after long periods of time.
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