Keeping mags loaded while the gun is stored

[rimini]

Hi guys,

Will keeping my magazines (for M1911 A1) loaded while the gun is stored at home damage/loosen the magazines' spring? I don't think it is wise to keep home defense guns unloaded since you never know when you might need them.

Thanks, Gene

[autotech6506]

no harm at all. springs lose their springiness by compressing and releasing.

[rimini]

Thank you.

[dc dalton]

Yup, the general consensus is keep them loaded and the springs compressed ... the springs will last longer.

[gf45acp]

I have 1911 mags that have been loaded for almost 100% of the time since 1979, still fine.

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

Leave 'em loaded


oracle

[Brown-Bear]

I have mags in my cabiet that have been loaded for years at a time before firing them. You'll have no problems I suspect.

Dave

[jack76590]

The "internet wisdom" is keeping mags loaded does not affect the springs. Wolff who sells springs for a living has a slightly different take on this question. Quote from Wolff website below.

"5. Should I unload my magazines, rotate magazines, load with fewer than the maximum rounds? How often should I change magazine springs?

Magazine springs in semi-auto pistols are one of the most critical springs and the subject of much debate and concern. Magazines which are kept fully loaded for long periods of time, such as law enforcement applications, will generally be subject to more fatigue than the weekend shooter's magazine springs which are loaded up only when shooting. Magazine design and capacity also affect the longevity of the spring. Older designs where maximum capacity was not the goal such as the 7 round 1911 Colt magazines will last for years fully loaded. There was a lot of room for a lot of spring which reduced the overall stress on the spring. In recent hi-capacity magazines, the magazines were designed to hold more rounds with less spring material. This puts more stress on the spring and will cause fatigue at a faster rate. Unloading these magazines a round or two will help the life of the spring. Rotating fully loaded magazines will also help the problem somewhat but is not always practical. In applications where the magazine must be kept loaded, a high quality magazine spring such as Wolff extra power magazine springs, will provide maximum life. Regular shooting will verify reliability and regular replacement of magazine springs will provide the best defense against failure from weak magazine springs."

Under FAQ of their website at

http://www.gunsprings.com/1ndex.html

[LowFlyer]

Yeah and shampoo manufacturers have added "Wash. Rinse, REPEAT" to all their bottles.......considered to be one of the BEST marketing ploys EVER!

Just sayin'..................

[RONNIE77]

Keep them loaded.
You will do cause more wear to the springs, if you keep loading and unloading the mag.
Don't load the mag to carry, and then unload the mag to store away.
If it is a gun that you switch on and off to carry, then keep them loaded.
Plus it always better to have loaded mags in case of an emergency, the unloaded mags.