Loaded Magazines
- Thread starter bg226
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beeenbag
Member
The spring should be fine as it is the action of loading/unloading a mag that weakens the spring.
As for shuffling the rounds, the only thing I can think of is if you chamber the top round over and over you run the risk of pushing the bullet back in the case and causing a compressed load.
As for shuffling the rounds, the only thing I can think of is if you chamber the top round over and over you run the risk of pushing the bullet back in the case and causing a compressed load.
Sunray
Member
"...any reliability concerns?..." Nope. Springs do not lose temper from being compressed.
"...Why do some..." Likely because somebody told 'em they have to.
"...Why do some..." Likely because somebody told 'em they have to.
W.E.G.
Member
There are numerous accounts of magazines that had been loaded, in static condition for many years, and which performed like new when fired.
You should test all your important equipment regularly. That includes your magazines. If there appears to be an issue when testing, then you need to correct that issue.
Some police departments, and some manufacturers recommend changing recoil springs, and magazine springs after X-many rounds, but never simply based on age.
Springs take an initial set on their first compression and they stay at that length until cyclical stresses weaken it to the point of sagging or breaking. If you compress a spring and leave it compressed for a year, it will be the same free length when you do release it.
You should test all your important equipment regularly. That includes your magazines. If there appears to be an issue when testing, then you need to correct that issue.
Some police departments, and some manufacturers recommend changing recoil springs, and magazine springs after X-many rounds, but never simply based on age.
Springs take an initial set on their first compression and they stay at that length until cyclical stresses weaken it to the point of sagging or breaking. If you compress a spring and leave it compressed for a year, it will be the same free length when you do release it.
W.E.G.
Member
Ammunition should be inspected for integrity.
Ammunition manufacturers are not infallible.
One corroded round could cause a stoppage.
rellascout
member
No issues IMHO. Springs weaken from being compressed and released.
Colt Smith
Member
Why would any gun you may rely on for defense sit unused for that long? Shouldn't you be practicing with it regularly? I can see safe guns sitting for longer periods though.
Depending on the gun and the magazine, yes--by all means, I would have some concerns as to the reliability of the magazine.
I don't know where you guys get the idea that the springs in magazines are eternal. Magazines holding 15-18 rounds put more stress on springs than magazines holding 7-8 rounds. Springs are made by a lot of different companies and not all springs are created equal.
"There are numerous accounts of magazines that had been loaded, in static condition for many years, and which performed like new when fired."
Yep. You hear about this for one big reason: it is unusual. You don't hear about the magazines that no longer function after being left loaded for extended periods. The reason for that is because it is pretty normal and not worth mentioning.
Look here http://www.gunsprings.com/faq at FAQ #5. High capacity magazines and keeping magazines loaded for extended periods cause extra stress on magazine springs.
In addition, ammunition loaded in magazines for extended periods may "take a set" of its own and not feed properly. I've read that arms makers who say it's okay to leave magazine springs under compression also warn that ammunition should be rotated periodically to insure it feeds properly.
When you add all the variables into the mix, I tend to err on the side of caution, especially with a gun I may have to depend on to save my hide. I rotate magazines and ammunition every 3 months or so. I have done this for over twenty years and I have never had any failures of magazines or ammunition during this time.
I don't know where you guys get the idea that the springs in magazines are eternal. Magazines holding 15-18 rounds put more stress on springs than magazines holding 7-8 rounds. Springs are made by a lot of different companies and not all springs are created equal.
"There are numerous accounts of magazines that had been loaded, in static condition for many years, and which performed like new when fired."
Yep. You hear about this for one big reason: it is unusual. You don't hear about the magazines that no longer function after being left loaded for extended periods. The reason for that is because it is pretty normal and not worth mentioning.
Look here http://www.gunsprings.com/faq at FAQ #5. High capacity magazines and keeping magazines loaded for extended periods cause extra stress on magazine springs.
In addition, ammunition loaded in magazines for extended periods may "take a set" of its own and not feed properly. I've read that arms makers who say it's okay to leave magazine springs under compression also warn that ammunition should be rotated periodically to insure it feeds properly.
When you add all the variables into the mix, I tend to err on the side of caution, especially with a gun I may have to depend on to save my hide. I rotate magazines and ammunition every 3 months or so. I have done this for over twenty years and I have never had any failures of magazines or ammunition during this time.
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