Magazine Spring Compression: Myth or Real Problem

[JohnKSa]

Ok so compression cycles work-harden a spring until it eventually breaks.

How many of you have had a mag spring actually BREAK?

So, it would seem that work-hardening isn't the issue.

From what I've seen, the problem is that the springs eventually relax to the point that they don't put enough pressure on the follower to insure reliable function. That is a function of being compressed to the limit. Any spring will relax to a certain extent after being fully compressed. The longer they are left compressed, the more they relax.

 

[stellarpod]

John:

Work-hardening affects both tensile (break point) and yeild (point of deformation). Whether it breaks or not, it may cause the yeild strength to be affected enough to result in the spring loosing some of its resiliency, hence inability to spring back and do its job, shoving the next round to the top of the magazine properly.

stellarpod

 

[JohnKSa]

If work-hardening were the problem, we'd hear of at least a few broken mag springs. Have you heard of ANY?

And if work-hardening is what causes a spring to relax, then why can I easily get 15 rounds into my Glock 20 magazines after leaving them loaded for a week or two. Before it took all my strength to get in the last round. BTW, no shooting or loading & unloading occurred during this interval.

 

[PCRCCW]

Work hardening is a vague term....here anyway.
Its not work hardened", as in to a finite point....usually of breakage.
Its work hardening"...or the act of becoming harder/loosing its inherent strengths by design little by little until......

Stellarpod is very accurate in his depiction of what happens...

Using the spring will eventually work harden/start the cycle, after time.....overcompression will accelerate this process to the point of making the spring mechanically/functionally worthless......

Just my own interpetation......

Shoot well