Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? - The Firearms Forum

CCHolderinMaine · 08-02-2012, 12:30 PM

Simple question, I've gotten a ton of different answers where ever I ask...does keeping your magazines loaded damage them in any way? I've had people say it can damage the spring by keeping it compressed for a prolonged time. I'm talking personally I might go a few months, but what if it were a year? or more? Is there a point of a possible problem?

Hawg · 08-02-2012, 12:48 PM

They'll go 50 years and more without damage. Constant use does more harm that storing loaded.

Bill DeShivs · 08-02-2012, 01:30 PM

I have magazines that have been fully loaded for 35+ years. They work fine.

bntyhntr6975 · 08-02-2012, 01:33 PM

I agree, the constant use does more to wear them out than storage. But also, keep in mind that cheap mags usually have cheap springs, so they will usually wear out quickest and are more subject to memory from staying compressed. Buy good mags, or at least replace cheap springs with good ones, and you should always be ok.

DixieLandMan · 08-02-2012, 01:41 PM

I've had some that have damaged the magazine and some that worked fine.

aa1911 · 08-02-2012, 01:48 PM

I used to be paranoid about rotating magazines so they wouldn't 'lose their set' or whatever but beginning to think it's almost a non-issue. I found ammo cans once with loose 5.56 M4 mags loaded up that had been sitting for over a year fully loaded and they all functioned fine when I burned 'em off.

kinda lazy with rotating mags lately, I've had some of my FAL and M1A mags sitting for sometimes 6 months at a time and no problems feeding when I blast them.

even if a mag does lose its 'oomf', there are plenty of cheap replacement springs!

3/2 STA SS · 08-02-2012, 06:53 PM

I found an AK mag the other day I forgot I had and I know its probably been loaded for 15 plus years and seem to be fine,like I could add more to it if I had too.

skullfr · 08-02-2012, 06:55 PM

it is the cylcling that wears em out but I keep one less round so it wont be fully compressed.

08-02-2012, 12:30 PM	#1
CCHolderinMaine Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Steep Falls, Maine Contributor Posts: 633	Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? Simple question, I've gotten a ton of different answers where ever I ask...does keeping your magazines loaded damage them in any way? I've had people say it can damage the spring by keeping it compressed for a prolonged time. I'm talking personally I might go a few months, but what if it were a year? or more? Is there a point of a possible problem? -->

08-02-2012, 12:48 PM	#2
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,557	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? They'll go 50 years and more without damage. Constant use does more harm that storing loaded.

08-02-2012, 01:30 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,469	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? I have magazines that have been fully loaded for 35+ years. They work fine. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

08-02-2012, 01:33 PM	#4
bntyhntr6975 V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 260	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? I agree, the constant use does more to wear them out than storage. But also, keep in mind that cheap mags usually have cheap springs, so they will usually wear out quickest and are more subject to memory from staying compressed. Buy good mags, or at least replace cheap springs with good ones, and you should always be ok. __________________ There is a fine line between paranoid and prepared.

08-02-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 606	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? I've had some that have damaged the magazine and some that worked fine.

08-02-2012, 01:48 PM	#6
aa1911 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 3,113	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? I used to be paranoid about rotating magazines so they wouldn't 'lose their set' or whatever but beginning to think it's almost a non-issue. I found ammo cans once with loose 5.56 M4 mags loaded up that had been sitting for over a year fully loaded and they all functioned fine when I burned 'em off. kinda lazy with rotating mags lately, I've had some of my FAL and M1A mags sitting for sometimes 6 months at a time and no problems feeding when I blast them. even if a mag does lose its 'oomf', there are plenty of cheap replacement springs! __________________ "Loud noises don't end gunfights.... well placed shots do."

08-02-2012, 06:53 PM	#7
3/2 STA SS Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Area, FL Posts: 1,437	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? I found an AK mag the other day I forgot I had and I know its probably been loaded for 15 plus years and seem to be fine,like I could add more to it if I had too. __________________ MORS DE CONTACTUS-DEATH ON CONTACT

08-02-2012, 06:55 PM	#8
skullfr Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Beaumont,Texas Posts: 902	Re: Does keeping magazines loaded damage them? it is the cylcling that wears em out but I keep one less round so it wont be fully compressed. __________________ If Ya cant stand up stand out There is no atheist in a foxhole Psalms 144:1 Blessed be the Lord my strength,which teacheth my hand to war and my fingers to fight