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7/21/2013 7:30:12 PM EDT
I was told by someone that I have to cycle my rounds by removing them from the magazines once in a while.  And let go the springs.  If the rounds are kept in the magazines, the springs would get old and not get springy.  And this is for all types of magazines.  Is this true? If so, how often do I cycle the rounds from the magazines?  Thanks.
7/21/2013 9:20:09 PM EDT
[#1]
No. load 'em and leave 'em. 28 in a 30 rnd mag. If you really want to cycle them, go shooting. the springs will out live you.
7/21/2013 9:33:48 PM EDT
[#2]
It is not true for the most part.  Spring life is shortened when magazines are kept loaded only in magazines that over compress the spring.  Some magazines have more of a problem with this than others.  Down loading by a couple rounds would stop this from happening but is not necessary with all magazines.    The other way springs will become weaker is through usage.  Repeated compression and decompression causes the metal to lose some of its memory.
7/21/2013 11:32:17 PM EDT
[#3]
AR mag springs fatigue through cycling.  Load em and leave em as mentioned.  HOWEVER, if you routinely chamber a round and unload it.  This round should be "cycled" out.  The sympathetic impact of the free float primer can either lead to an accidental discharge (AD) or, it will *could* dimple the primer incrementally and when you want it to go off- it won't.

HTH

Sly
7/22/2013 6:13:00 PM EDT
[#4]
Thanks for the response.  Now I know about AR mags.  However, I do also have a .40 that I keep halfway loaded in my bedside handgun safe.  Would this magazine also be on the same situation as the AR mags?  I do not keep my ARs magazine loaded.  Only when I do go shooting.
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