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magazine life/problems

gl1288gl1288 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
edited October 2001 in General Discussion
Approximately how long would you guess is the functional life expectancy of a typical pistol magazine (in particular the mag spring) when it is fully loaded and kept that way 24/7/365? Has anyone experienced any failures/problems with their pistol magazine(s) because they have kept them fully loaded all the time? Is it better to keep them loaded all the time or "rest" the mag spring every so often?
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Comments

  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    30 years or more, in my experience.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
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  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    We kept M-16 mags stored in Kings Bay,ga. One day we found some in the storage area that were around 10 yrs old. Carried them to the range and fired all 116 with no problems.These mags were LOADED for 10+ yrs. Seems that ya just get lucky sometimes.
    If you run, you'll just die tired! will270win@aol.com ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • .250Savage.250Savage Member Posts: 812 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They say they will take a "set" after a while, but that may just be an urban legend. Lots of stories out there like ones above, mags kept loaded for 10, 20, 30 years and worked with no problem. Relax 'em every now and again "just cuz", like by taking them out and shooting them once in a while. This will also help your shooting skills a lot, which you should be more concerned about anyway.
    I may disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.--Voltare~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Speaking of magazine springs, I have a S&W 457 that I picked up used for $125 from a guy that just wanted to clear enough cash to help pay for his GPS. It's a great shooter and has never failed me but I have to use the old magazine that came with it. The new magazine is factory-made for the 457 but it doesn't always seat properly and there is so much upward pressure from the spring that a round often falls out when I eject a loaded magazine. I've kept the magazine loaded for four months now and there has been no noticable loss of tension in the spring. Any suggestions?
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank ya'll for the info.I had been rotating the mags on all my semi autos every month. Looks now like it was a waste of time.
    So many guns to buy. So little money.
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  • gl1288gl1288 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    That is my concern - with the springs developing a "set". In the time of need, I just don't want to have a mag-feed problem or something like that that I could have prevented. I just wanted to get some others opinions about it - and it seems that this is really nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for the replies.
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  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    I rotate mine around at least twice a month. The armorer for the local police dept. told me their policy is to rotate weekly. Each cop has 6 mags for his .40 cal. Sig. They carry one loaded in the pistol and two loaded in the mag. pouch. Each week they rotate three for three.To me, it's no hassle at all. Takes all of two minutes to swap ammo from one Glock mag. to another. It's peace of mind. I also have several new springs on the shelf for my model 17 and model 26 Glock magazines and for my AR-15 magazines. When the SHTF, I don't want any maintenance-related problems.
    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
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  • gl1288gl1288 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lowrider - I like your idea of switching mags once a week!
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  • TxsTxs Member Posts: 17,809 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been a police armorer for many years and have never actually seen this cause any problems. The factory armorers schools mention it in passing, but at the same time will also tell you that they maintain crates of fully loaded mags for years for use in firearm testing.Spring set was a valid issue back when, but with modern metallurgy it's not a non-issue. It's common military practice to maintain a stock of fully loaded mags, with no thought to mag rotation. In fact, the Israelis keep many tons of loaded mags (among other things) buried around their area for SHTF times.For peace of mind, get your hands on a factory new mag spring and compare it's length with your old springs. You'll probably notice a very slight difference from your proven reliable springs. Each time you disassemble your carry mags for cleaning, again compare their length with the fresh spring. If yours are taking a set you'll see a reduction in their length and can replace them. You probably won't end up replacing any, but it makes you feel better to have a "go-no go" gauge rather than pulling a rotation schedule out of the air.
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    dano-- Well, the lips are the same but now the magazine seats perfectly in the gun and the first round doesn't eject when I eject a loaded magazine. All is fine. I just checked it after I made my last post here.
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  • gl1288gl1288 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Txs - thanks for your input and advice.
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  • gl1288gl1288 Member Posts: 12 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Txs or anyone - where can I get good quality replacement mag springs?
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    dano--Thanks! I thought I was going to have to shell out another $40 stinking dollars to S&W!
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    try Brownells for quality replacement springs
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