Loaded Magazine Question

[Armed Citizen]

Does leaving magazines loaded for an extended period of time damage the magazine?

I was once told that it may weaken the spring? It this correct?

 

[esrice]

Not correct.

https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general_firearms_discussion/48718-magazine_spring_set.html

Depending on how long and how the feedlips are designed, you could see some spreading in that area. But I've heard stories of guys firing 1911 mags that were filled 50 years ago without any issues.

 

[g+16]

likewise I was told the same thing, I've had Par-ord, Springfield magazines 7rd thur 13 rd, and colt 7 rd, loaded for months at a time, but they always seem to function, or it could just be dumb luck, you never know

 

[Walter Zoomie]

Total BS .

 

[indykid]

According to Beretta, it doesn't hurt the spring to keep a mag loaded for a long time, but they say is could cause the shells to compress slightly and go out of round. That is one claim I can't figure.

 

[ATOMonkey]

Only if they get hot for an extended period of time. Stress (bending a spring) + heat and time = less stress (no spring pressure).

 

[b j]

I have 45 mags that were loaded 15 years ago untill i started shooting this year,they are all working fine.

 

[BulkAmmo]

Loaded Magazine

There is no issues with leaving magazines loaded for extended periods of time. The only thing you want to avoid is extreme cold and heat, and keep them out of damp areas. Really no different than normal ammunition storage.

I have quite a few AR magazines that were loaded for about 5 years before I took them out and shot them. I didn't have any issues with the feeding.

__________________
bulk 38 special ammo

 

[printcraft]

Sort of like saying the leaf springs on your truck will
wear out if you leave the truck parked for 30 years.

No, it will not hurt the mag spring.

 

[indykid]

Sort of like saying the leaf springs on your truck will
wear out if you leave the truck parked for 30 years.

No, it will not hurt the mag spring.

I can't believe I have never read someone stating this!!! GREAT! Rep'd

 

[combat45acp]

Will it wear out the spring of the magazine no, what wears it out is the expanding and collapsing, ie the movement. That said feed lips on some mags can split, especially GI M16/AR15 mags, that is why Magpul gives you the "dust cover" it pushes the rounds down a hair relieving the feel lip.

 

[redneckmedic]

Like any other piece of metal, its exercising the metal that weakens it.

 

[Wink and the Gun]

it's been a long time since I've had any physics classes, but I'm pretty sure that a spring, while compressed, will not lose any of its elasticity (barring external factors like rust, etc).