Magazine Study

[Kirk Freeman]

In reference to a topic that comes up from time to time, magazine springs and their wear.

All that Fuddlore nonsense about springs is merely that, Fuddlore. Load them up and you can keep them that way.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/04/20/mags-testing/

 

[COOPADUP]

Always believed storing them fully loaded was the best thing to do. And now it's great to see the science proving this.

 

[planedriver]

In reference to a topic that comes up from time to time, magazine springs and their wear.

All that Fuddlore nonsense about springs is merely that, Fuddlore. Load them up and you can keep them that way.

View attachment 270893

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2023/04/20/mags-testing/

I don’t need no stinking science.

I have an original colt (probably mecgar) .45 acp magazine that has been continuously loaded since 1974 and it’s function is still 100%.
(ok so it’s been empty only long enough to immediately reload.)

Now maybe pro mag??? Lol

 

[tscherry70]

I know metal mags are fine to keep loaded for years without any issue. I've heard that the Gen 1 Magpul polymer mags will loosed around the lips at the top over time if stored fully loaded without the dust cover clipped in place. I have no idea if this is true and there is some evidence contrary to that below.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/08/24/loaded-pmag/

 

[Expat]

I guess I didn’t realize the argument was still a thing.

 

[DadSmith]

I guess I didn’t realize the argument was still a thing.

I'm waiting on someone to argue that they must be stored empty.
It isn't them being stored loaded that causes them to weaken, it's use.

 

[Gabriel]

The science is settled!

 

[Creedmoor]

I'm waiting on someone to argue that they must be stored empty.
It isn't them being stored loaded that causes them to weaken, it's use.

The only mags ive ever owned that failed without the owner being involved were a few U notch Glock "Perfection" magazines.

 

[BigRed]

The only mags ive ever owned that failed without the owner being involved were a few U notch Glock "Perfection" magazines.
View attachment 271115

Well, it's "Glock" so........

 

[SmileDocHill]

The science is settled!

If we would just give it 3 weeks between use and reloading to flatten the stress on the springs it would help.

 

[SSE]

Is that like a 10 day waiting period

 

[DadSmith]

The only mags ive ever owned that failed without the owner being involved were a few U notch Glock "Perfection" magazines.
View attachment 271115

Did Glock replace them?

 

[Creedmoor]

Did Glock replace them?

My understanding is they will if you mail them in. I think I have two around? ive never mailed them in.

 

[Cameramonkey]

There are exceptions to the rule. It can happen with cheap springs. I had to replace the spring on a Mossberg 500. It sat fully loaded for 10+ years. I went to clean it and the last round wouldnt leave the tube unless I held it vertically. The follower was around 3" inside the tube at rest after that.

 

[STEEL CORE]

I had a “U” notch Glock mag crack once, I sent it back and got a brand new Glock magazine in return.
Who does that?

 

[WebSnyper]

The only mags ive ever owned that failed without the owner being involved were a few U notch Glock "Perfection" magazines.
View attachment 271115

But did it stop working?

 

[Creedmoor]

But did it stop working?

Yes, one would have to beat it into the mag well and its drop free aspect is no longer relevent.


Maybe Glock should have added a zipper back to those mags...

 

[IUKalash429]

I know metal mags are fine to keep loaded for years without any issue. I've heard that the Gen 1 Magpul polymer mags will loosed around the lips at the top over time if stored fully loaded without the dust cover clipped in place. I have no idea if this is true and there is some evidence contrary to that below.

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/08/24/loaded-pmag/

I have a bunch of cheap polymer SWT mags from Sportsman's Guide that have been loaded and forgotten about for eight years (bought, loaded, and stashed them away in March 2015). I just found them at the bottom of a bin while reorganizing my gun room. Threw a few in a range bag and they functioned without problem. No cracks or any other issues with the lips.

Not gen1 PMAGs I realize, but eight year old rando plastic nonetheless.

 

[Bugzilla]

Who has time to load their mags when the sh-t is hitting the fan?

 

[DadSmith]

My understanding is they will if you mail them in. I think I have two around? ive never mailed them in.

They are plentiful even used.

You can send them in they might send you two of the newer Gen magazines.