Magazine Care - The Firearms Forum

Cgull · 08-25-2009, 12:24 PM

I've heard it will damage the magazine spring if left fully loaded for long periods, If so, will having a half full magazine be better? I'd hate to have all my magazines empty during a home invasion.

pinecone70 · 08-25-2009, 12:27 PM

Rotate them, keep one or more full and then switch it out after a couple of weeks. Or load them only mostly full.

Hey, welcome to the forum! Much information here, lots of excellent people to meet.

artabr · 08-25-2009, 12:36 PM

I've heard repeated stories of 1911 mags found that had been loaded since World War 2 that worked fine when fired.
That being said, I would personally alternate or rotate my mags if possible just to be on the safe side.

Art

Alpo · 08-25-2009, 12:41 PM

Testing has proven that having a spring at rest or at full compression makes no difference on the life or power of the spring. What wears out springs is movement. The compressing and then uncompressing of springs cause their eventual failure.

In simpler terms, leaving the magazines loaded all the time will make your mag springs last longer than unloading them, every so often, so they "can rest".

armedandsafe · 08-25-2009, 12:56 PM

True, Alpo.

Pops

TranterUK · 08-25-2009, 01:01 PM

It may be true they dont weaken if loaded for long periods, but I rotate them anyway, and change the cartridges for fresh once in a while.

I also number the mags, so I know which if any are mis behaving.

artabr · 08-25-2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TranterUK

It may be true they dont weaken if loaded for long periods, but I rotate them anyway, and change the cartridges for fresh once in a while.

I also number the mags, so I know which if any are mis behaving.

Mine are numbered also.

Art

Bill DeShivs · 08-25-2009, 02:26 PM

They were meant to be left fully loaded indefinitely.

Cgull · 08-25-2009, 04:00 PM

thanks all, very helpful info.

RJay · 08-25-2009, 05:17 PM

One of the Biggest " urban myths" in the gun world is , Magazines will get weak if left loaded. And there are those who will become very angry if you try and tell them other wise

Also FWIW, if your ammo is clean and dry, there is no need to rotate it, however if you are the type to use a lot of oil on your firearm, then yes it would not hurt to rotate your ammo every 6 months.

Crpdeth · 08-25-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJay

And there are those who will become very angry if you try and tell them other wise

Ask 'em if they also flip their cars upside down every so often to let those springs "rest" as well.

I always liked that one.

But seriously, I wouldn't fault anyone who switched 'em out every few months if it made them feel better, heck I know people who put a TON of lead downrange and aren't they compressing, then decompressing those mags?

My advice it to buy good quality mags in the first place to eliminate a few variables, then do what makes you feel good.

Personally, mine stay loaded quite a bit, especially with the price of ammo and my inability to afford much range time these days.

Crpdeth

woolleyworm · 08-25-2009, 05:42 PM

My ammo is constantly rotated; I most always will shoot at least a full mag of my defense ammo while at the range. I tend to believe that frequent practice with defense loads keeps me in better conditioning for the recoil and sight picture needed for point of impact. ( it also keeps a fresh round in the chamber, so as to avoid over chambering a round )

I keep all my mags fully loaded, never had any premature failures. I clean them on a frequent basis, but not every time out. I think every 40-50 rounds is more than enough; I haven't had any magazine issues following this cleaning cycle.

Hammerslagger · 08-26-2009, 12:21 AM

From an engineering point of view a spring is not damaged staticly as long as it is not compressed or stretched past the "yield point" of the the material of which it is made. Constant flexing (near to the yield point, and especially beyond) tends to wear a spring out over flexing cycles.

Threaded fasteners are actually a type of spring. In some applications (like clyinder head or flywheel applications) they are tightened right up to the yield pont of the metal for maximum clamping force. They may remain there and retain their clamping power for many years and hours of running service. However in some extreme service applications they may not be reused (or reused only once) after being loosened or removed.

The more fully frequently you load a magazine the more you stress the spring. I rarely load more than about 80% for practice with a mag that I use in a carry pistol. I do not "top off" magazines after loading the chamber for reliability considerations in a carry gun.

As the late Jeff Cooper once remarked, Sgt. York's 6 Germans, with a 1911, seems to be the documented world record for the most men killed by one man at one time with a pistol in a fight. One is not likely to need many more shots unless one plans on missing a lot.

TranterUK · 08-26-2009, 03:05 AM

As I said, I am sure those who say rotation is not necessary are correct, also that cartridges stay good for a long, long time.

Non the less I for one will rotate, refresh and check from time to time because if TSHF a failure to fire, even a momentary failure of feed or misfire can cost you your life. No second chance.

If you have ever used a firearm in the face of a threat, you will know the feeling 'this better work, and right now'.

GunHugger · 08-26-2009, 06:27 AM

I have had a 1911 mag fully loaded for 22 years now...it still functions fine. I check about once per year. I also have a 30 round AR mag that has been loaded with 29 rounds for the past 7 years and it still works fine.

I have had to replace springs in a few mags that get used a lot.

Alpo · 08-26-2009, 07:44 AM

How? If it has been fully loaded for 22 years, how do you check it? The only way I can see to check magazine function is to cycle some rounds through it, which would make it no longer fully loaded?

GunHugger · 08-26-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpo

How? If it has been fully loaded for 22 years, how do you check it? The only way I can see to check magazine function is to cycle some rounds through it, which would make it no longer fully loaded?

I take it out and empty it by shooting the rounds in it, then I reload it. Sorry....didn't think that needed explained in my post above. How else would I know if it still functions?

I didn't check it for the first 10 years or so because I forgot about it. And I did miss a few years here and there. So, all totalled I'll guess it has been reloaded and fired about 10 times. I just used it last month, worked fine.

Islandboy · 08-26-2009, 05:43 PM

Don't forget to put winter air in your tires while your at it.
In the SHTF moment, your still counting on the round itself not being a dud.
All the rest is prep and readyness.

cycloneman · 08-26-2009, 06:33 PM

Spring steel can loose a bit of its stiffness however not enough to matter. Load away as others have said. I have had some for at least 20 years under pressure. They shoot fine.

08-25-2009, 12:24 PM	#1
Cgull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 7	Magazine Care I've heard it will damage the magazine spring if left fully loaded for long periods, If so, will having a half full magazine be better? I'd hate to have all my magazines empty during a home invasion. __________________ "In the first place we should insist that the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace or origin. Any man who says he is an American but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language and loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1919. -->

08-25-2009, 12:27 PM	#2
pinecone70 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Gal! Posts: 4,730	Re: Magazine Care Rotate them, keep one or more full and then switch it out after a couple of weeks. Or load them only mostly full. Hey, welcome to the forum! Much information here, lots of excellent people to meet. __________________ _____________________________________________ "Miss Scarlet, in the library...with a revolver...."

08-25-2009, 12:36 PM	#3
artabr Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Iberia, Louisiana Contributor Posts: 7,859	Re: Magazine Care I've heard repeated stories of 1911 mags found that had been loaded since World War 2 that worked fine when fired. That being said, I would personally alternate or rotate my mags if possible just to be on the safe side. Art __________________ God and the soldier we like adore, In times of trouble, not before. When troubles ended and all things righted, God is forgotten and the soldier is slighted. Francis Quarles 1592 - 1644 __________________ When asked for my race, I answer CauCajun. Hope is not a plan, and not all change is good. The resistance is here; the resistance is now. RESIST! These hands are neither cold nor are they dead!!

08-25-2009, 12:41 PM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Magazine Care Testing has proven that having a spring at rest or at full compression makes no difference on the life or power of the spring. What wears out springs is movement. The compressing and then uncompressing of springs cause their eventual failure. In simpler terms, leaving the magazines loaded all the time will make your mag springs last longer than unloading them, every so often, so they "can rest". __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-25-2009, 12:56 PM	#5
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Magazine Care True, Alpo. Pops

08-25-2009, 01:01 PM	#6
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: Magazine Care It may be true they dont weaken if loaded for long periods, but I rotate them anyway, and change the cartridges for fresh once in a while. I also number the mags, so I know which if any are mis behaving. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way!

08-25-2009, 02:26 PM	#8
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,470	Re: Magazine Care They were meant to be left fully loaded indefinitely. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

08-25-2009, 04:00 PM	#9
Cgull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: arkansas Posts: 7	Re: Magazine Care thanks all, very helpful info. __________________ "In the first place we should insist that the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace or origin. Any man who says he is an American but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language and loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1919.

08-25-2009, 05:17 PM	#10
RJay Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,487	Re: Magazine Care One of the Biggest " urban myths" in the gun world is , Magazines will get weak if left loaded. And there are those who will become very angry if you try and tell them other wise Also FWIW, if your ammo is clean and dry, there is no need to rotate it, however if you are the type to use a lot of oil on your firearm, then yes it would not hurt to rotate your ammo every 6 months. __________________ RonJames Last edited by RJay; 08-25-2009 at 05:22 PM..

08-25-2009, 05:42 PM	#12
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,883	Re: Magazine Care My ammo is constantly rotated; I most always will shoot at least a full mag of my defense ammo while at the range. I tend to believe that frequent practice with defense loads keeps me in better conditioning for the recoil and sight picture needed for point of impact. ( it also keeps a fresh round in the chamber, so as to avoid over chambering a round ) I keep all my mags fully loaded, never had any premature failures. I clean them on a frequent basis, but not every time out. I think every 40-50 rounds is more than enough; I haven't had any magazine issues following this cleaning cycle. __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." . Last edited by woolleyworm; 08-25-2009 at 05:55 PM..

08-26-2009, 12:21 AM	#13
Hammerslagger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,099	Re: Magazine Care From an engineering point of view a spring is not damaged staticly as long as it is not compressed or stretched past the "yield point" of the the material of which it is made. Constant flexing (near to the yield point, and especially beyond) tends to wear a spring out over flexing cycles. Threaded fasteners are actually a type of spring. In some applications (like clyinder head or flywheel applications) they are tightened right up to the yield pont of the metal for maximum clamping force. They may remain there and retain their clamping power for many years and hours of running service. However in some extreme service applications they may not be reused (or reused only once) after being loosened or removed. The more fully frequently you load a magazine the more you stress the spring. I rarely load more than about 80% for practice with a mag that I use in a carry pistol. I do not "top off" magazines after loading the chamber for reliability considerations in a carry gun. As the late Jeff Cooper once remarked, Sgt. York's 6 Germans, with a 1911, seems to be the documented world record for the most men killed by one man at one time with a pistol in a fight. One is not likely to need many more shots unless one plans on missing a lot.

08-26-2009, 03:05 AM	#14
TranterUK Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 5,103	Re: Magazine Care As I said, I am sure those who say rotation is not necessary are correct, also that cartridges stay good for a long, long time. Non the less I for one will rotate, refresh and check from time to time because if TSHF a failure to fire, even a momentary failure of feed or misfire can cost you your life. No second chance. If you have ever used a firearm in the face of a threat, you will know the feeling 'this better work, and right now'. __________________ DVC - Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas - Accuracy, Power, Speed. The light at the end of the recession tunnel IS a train coming the other way! Last edited by TranterUK; 08-26-2009 at 03:07 AM..

08-26-2009, 06:27 AM	#15
GunHugger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SW PA Posts: 1,161	Re: Magazine Care I have had a 1911 mag fully loaded for 22 years now...it still functions fine. I check about once per year. I also have a 30 round AR mag that has been loaded with 29 rounds for the past 7 years and it still works fine. I have had to replace springs in a few mags that get used a lot. __________________ . “There will be a revolution in this country!” “I don’t believe people should to be able to own guns.” ~Barack Obama "Stand your ground. Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here." ~Captain John Parker, to his Minute Men on Lexington Green, April 19, 1775.

08-26-2009, 07:44 AM	#16
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Magazine Care How? If it has been fully loaded for 22 years, how do you check it? The only way I can see to check magazine function is to cycle some rounds through it, which would make it no longer fully loaded? __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

08-26-2009, 05:43 PM	#18
Islandboy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Off the right coast Posts: 676	Re: Magazine Care Don't forget to put winter air in your tires while your at it. In the SHTF moment, your still counting on the round itself not being a dud. All the rest is prep and readyness. __________________ A politician can do only that which the law provides,but, a private citizen can do anything that the law does not prohibit. -AR. When they came and got me, I went Peaceful.

08-26-2009, 06:33 PM	#19
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,406	Re: Magazine Care Spring steel can loose a bit of its stiffness however not enough to matter. Load away as others have said. I have had some for at least 20 years under pressure. They shoot fine. __________________ Who are you going to serve today?