Pistol Mags - Unload them or leave them full?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Pistol Mags - Unload them or leave them full?

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:40:58 AM EDT

I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:42:46 AM EDT

[#1]

Quoted:
I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:43:42 AM EDT

[#2]

leave them loaded.

compression and decompression weakens the springs, not resting in either position.

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:46:18 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

I think the true answer is in the middle of those extremes. The force will be reduced, but the spring will still function as it should. There was a link posted some time ago where the actual force of the spring was measured...and after like 5 years, there was a 20% or more drop in force...though the spring still worked as it should have. I don't know how to follow up on that link though...I'll fool around with google for a bit...

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:49:33 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:50:18 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
leave them loaded.

compression and decompression weakens the springs, not resting in either position.

/thread

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:52:46 AM EDT

[#6]

I'm still unconvinced either way.

I haven't noticed any lack of function in mags that I have kept loaded for months at a time.

BUT...

I have noticed that old-time flashlights that have had batteries stored for months at a time lose a LOT of spring tension and even when stocked with fresk batteries, they get intermittent contact and flickering due to weakened springs. It's probably attributable to crappy spring wire in the flashlights (haven't noticed this problem with maglites), but it does concern me.

In any case, almost every gun has springs that are somewhat pre-compressed (not to their full range, but compressed nonetheless). yet there are no shortage of century old firearms that function just fine with all original springs (including old integral magazine bolt action guns).

Even an unloaded mag's spring is under compression. If you are truly worried about a magazine spring taking a "set" you'd have to remove the floorplate and store it disassembled. Same goes for your AR's buffer tube.

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:53:22 AM EDT

[#7]

Loaded.

Posted: 8/4/2009 4:54:30 AM EDT

[#8]

Leave them full.

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:17:01 AM EDT

[#9]

a properly made magazine spring is not at 100% compression even when fully loaded. with rare exception most mags still have slight room left

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:21:13 AM EDT

[#10]

on a related note ... can anyone recommend a vendor who sells GI quality replacement mag springs?

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:27:15 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:
on a related note ... can anyone recommend a vendor who sells GI quality replacement mag springs?

Take your pick:

Chrome Silicon

Stainless steel

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:50:48 AM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:

on a related note ... can anyone recommend a vendor who sells GI quality replacement mag springs?

http://www.specializedarmament.com/catalog/Accessories_Tools-12-0.html

I prefer the red springs.

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:51:35 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

Ditto

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:53:13 AM EDT

[#14]

Full.

Anecdoal. But I fired three mags that had been loaded in 1944-45 a few years ago and all worked fine.

I've shot loaded mags of mine that were 10 or so years old and all worked fine.

Actually, from what I understand the working of the springs (loading and unloading) is actually what weakens them.

Posted: 8/4/2009 5:53:17 AM EDT

[#15]

Quoted:

Quoted:
on a related note ... can anyone recommend a vendor who sells GI quality replacement mag springs?

Take your pick:

Chrome Silicon

Stainless steel

well you just opened up a whole new can of worms.

chrome silicon vs stainless steel?

Posted: 8/4/2009 7:36:32 AM EDT

[#16]

i keep em loaded when i can afford the ammo to do so

Posted: 8/4/2009 7:38:33 AM EDT

[#17]

I wonder about leaf springs and roll springs like the ones in aftermarket 10/22 mags?

Posted: 8/4/2009 7:52:57 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

This is SPARTA!!!

Posted: 8/4/2009 7:55:19 AM EDT

[#19]

If I have them, I load them.

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:05:42 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:

Even an unloaded mag's spring is under compression. If you are truly worried about a magazine spring taking a "set" you'd have to remove the floorplate and store it disassembled. Same goes for your AR's buffer tube.

The springs under your truck . . . .

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:39:53 AM EDT

[#21]

leave them loaded

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:40:39 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Quoted:

I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

+1

But I don't have that many mags.

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:47:48 AM EDT

[#23]

Someone breaks into your house,you gonna call a time out and say wait til I load?

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:52:18 AM EDT

[#24]

Note to physicists and mechanical engineers:

The spring strength equation does NOT have a variable for time. In other words, keeping your spring loaded does not reduce its strength. But over compressing the spring will cause deformation and ruin it.

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:53:40 AM EDT

[#25]

Empty. Why load mags you have in storage? It's enough weight on the shelves as it is.

Posted: 8/4/2009 8:57:49 AM EDT

[#26]

I keep my P-Mags loaded with the dust covers on. I've got three of the six 1911 mags I've got loaded, but one is in the gun and the other two are close by in case I would need them for whatever reason. Everything else is empty. If I can't fight a home invader or the like off with 25 rounds of .45 ACP, 9 rounds of 12 gauge, and 140 rounds of 5.56mm, I'm screwed anyways. And I'll be deaf the rest of my life regardless.

Posted: 8/4/2009 9:00:15 AM EDT

[#27]

The mags that are currently in service are kept loaded. The mags that aren't in service stay unloaded. P-Mags and 1911 mags are rotated every few months in/out of service. I'm more concerned about deformed/cracked feed lips more than anything else.

Posted: 8/4/2009 9:49:15 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

+1

But I don't have that many mags.

minimum 10 mags for every rifle i own a few have extras. 3 mags for every pistol a few have more.

it adds up quickly.

Posted: 8/4/2009 9:51:36 AM EDT

[#29]

Guess my problem is that I need more guns and rifles.

Posted: 8/4/2009 10:00:46 AM EDT

[#30]

Loaded.

Posted: 8/4/2009 10:13:01 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
I've heard two sides to this debate.

1. Leaving rounds in mags for extended periods weakens the springs. You should unload them and relieve the pressure.

2. Magazine springs are designed to be under pressure and it's OK to leave them loaded for extended periods. The loading/unloadnig cycling is what weakens them over time.

Which is it?

Either? Both (depending on the quality of the springs)?

all 300 or so mags i have for everything i own stay loaded.

I'll side with this guy, I think he knows what he's talking about.

(I keep mine loaded, too.)

Posted: 8/4/2009 10:16:19 AM EDT

[#32]

Full. What's the point of having an empty magazine?

Posted: 8/4/2009 10:21:19 AM EDT

[#33]

leave them loaded.

they still have 1911 mags loaded from WWII that function fine today.

you do more harm in loading and unloading then keeping them loaded.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Pistol Mags - Unload them or leave them full?

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