How long should I keep ammo in my mags before changing springs?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long should I keep ammo in my mags before changing springs?

Posted: 10/7/2005 9:42:17 AM EDT

How many years does it take before a fully loaded mag will need a new spring? I'm assuming that having the spring compressed for a long time would weaken it.

Thanks

Posted: 10/7/2005 9:50:20 AM EDT

[#1]

My understanding is that constant compression isn't going to weaken a mag spring as much as repeated compression/decompression.

Posted: 10/7/2005 9:54:09 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
My understanding is that constant compression isn't going to weaken a mag spring as much as repeated compression/decompression.

Posted: 10/7/2005 9:55:44 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
Quoted:
My understanding is that constant compression isn't going to weaken a mag spring as much as repeated compression/decompression.

+1

+2 I leave my shtf mags loaded.

Posted: 10/7/2005 10:28:35 AM EDT

[#4]

Posted: 10/7/2005 10:46:20 AM EDT

[#5]

All my mags are left loaded, I have 2 that I take to the range with me, a 30 rounder and a 20 rounder. The rest of my mags remain loaded at all times.

Posted: 10/7/2005 10:47:33 AM EDT

[#6]

+4

all of my mags are loaded.

Posted: 10/7/2005 10:50:41 AM EDT

[#7]

Has anyone here ever seen a mag spring wear out? Ever?

I had a couple mags that had been loaded since WWII. They were fine.

Posted: 10/7/2005 10:55:18 AM EDT

[#8]

Approximately forever.

The answer to this question REALLY should be tacked, at least in the mag forum.

Posted: 10/7/2005 11:23:36 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:
+4

all of my mags are loaded.

I just wish I had enough ammo to keep my mags loaded! I need to do some stocking up.

Posted: 10/7/2005 11:34:44 AM EDT

[#10]

IF you have good springs to begin with (I have seen new springs not strong enough), it is generally not a problem.

Even so, I recommend swapping in new springs every 50 years whether they need it or not.

Posted: 10/7/2005 11:34:45 AM EDT

[#11]

I had some early 80's manuf mags [6]
that finally succumbed to Spring Fatigue.
That was after 5,000+ rounds went thru them.

Posted: 10/7/2005 4:40:56 PM EDT

[#12]

untill the feed lips break,

Posted: 10/7/2005 4:46:26 PM EDT

[#13]

I've worn out plenty of 1911 springs. In cheap mags shooting uspsa.

Posted: 10/7/2005 4:46:45 PM EDT

[#14]

This is good info.

Posted: 10/7/2005 5:13:04 PM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:
I've worn out plenty of 1911 springs. In cheap mags shooting uspsa.

Good point - the steel used in the manufacture of the spring is the key. It must be quality material meant for the application. Cheap wire twisted into a spring will fail.

G

Posted: 10/7/2005 5:24:37 PM EDT

[#16]

Man, I have been leaving a bunch of new magazines unloaded deliberately so as to keep the springs at their strongest. Always really wanted them all loaded, though. I guess this is my excuse.

Posted: 10/7/2005 8:29:50 PM EDT

[#17]

Anywhere from 3-5+ years of storage with no failures. I take 'em all out every blue moon and "dump" 'em all just to make sure.

Posted: 10/7/2005 8:54:57 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
How many years does it take before a fully loaded mag will need a new spring?

Before they NEED new springs? That'd be measured in generations, not years imq707s.
As long as they're USGIs don't even worry about it.

My understanding is that constant compression isn't going to weaken a mag spring as much as repeated compression/decompression.

That's true.

Posted: 10/7/2005 10:23:17 PM EDT

[#19]

does the wear from cycle more than compression theory hold tru for all spring's. say a hammer spring, will it wear out faster from shooting as opposed to leaving cocked for long periods. the way i understand either will cause loss of tension over time. if you remove a hammer or mag spring that has been compressed for years it will have lost some tension. i know its apples to oranges but say you load down a truck to rated capisity and leave it sit for a year or two, then unload it. it's not going to be like it never happend. i thought they used cheap springs in usgi because they are considerd disposable. that said crome silicone spring's will out last any other spring several time's over especally in hot envirement's. someone please correct me if i'm wrong, with proven facts.

Posted: 10/7/2005 11:47:15 PM EDT

[#20]

As far as the military goes our guys leave the magazines loaded all the time to their full capacity. I have noticed a difference in tension if I leave a magazine loaded for a while from when it was new though. But yeah it will wear out even faster if you are constantly loading and unloading the magazines. And yes I like my magazines to work every time, so I change out the magazine springs when I feel they need it. Generally when the bolt catch won't work, the springs are getting a little worn. They will still work, but I like the bolt catch. Then you really need new springs when it won't feed correctly.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - How long should I keep ammo in my mags before changing springs?

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