Keeping magazines loaded

[Rblakely]

I keep all my pistol mags loaded when stored. Should I leave them empty to preserve the spring tension?

[internet troll]

That's a common question. The general consensus I've read is that its the constant compression/decompression that is bad for the springs. Leaving them loaded is not bad.

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/588...-good-bad.html

http://forum.pafoa.org/pistols-41/17...magazines.html

http://forum.pafoa.org/general-2/750...-good-bad.html

[rwb1500]

There should be a sticky. Just saying.

[yeager484]

I keep my carry mag and backup mag "full minus one round"..so the spring isn't maxed out.

I only have two mags, but I'm sure I'd do the same thing with extras if I had them.

[Curmudgeon]

I keep all my pistol mags loaded when stored. Should I leave them empty to preserve the spring tension?

Food for thought... do you jack up your car/truck every night to preserve the spring tension?

No? Hmmm...

You can damage a spring by compressing it or extending it beyond it's designed limits, or by 'working' the spring constantly. A quality and properly designed magazine and spring can be loaded to capacity for many years and still function properly.

[streaker69]

Food for thought... do you jack up your car/truck every night to preserve the spring tension?

You mean I don't have to do that? That's gonna save me a ton of time during the day. No more jacking the car up when I get to the store.

[Rblakely]

Food for thought... do you jack up your car/truck every night to preserve the spring tension?

No? Hmmm...

You can damage a spring by compressing it or extending it beyond it's designed limits, or by 'working' the spring constantly. A quality and properly designed magazine and spring can be loaded to capacity for many years and still function properly.

Makes sense (and kinda makes my original question seem dumb ).

Saw your post about the LTCF class. Right now it's up in the air if we are going to Hershey Park that Saturday or Sunday. If the trip is Sunday I'll see you Saturday.

[father-of-five]

I know magazine availability and their prices and aren't the greatest these days, but having a few more mags that you can "rotate" every 6 months is another idea. I know opinions vary on magazine spring issues, but that's what I do. I have some older, used 10 round magazines that I use for target practice too to reduce the wear and tear on my newer ones.

[eyecanshoot]

My grandfather had a Walther P38 that sat loaded but unfired for about 50 years. It would FTF on the 3rd or 4th round with both mags. The springs were bad from being loaded for all that time.

[stainless]

My grandfather had a Walther P38 that sat loaded but unfired for about 50 years. It would FTF on the 3rd or 4th round with both mags. The springs were bad from being loaded for all that time.

For the sake of the argument metallurgy has changed much in that time frame.

I had posted a response from PMAG in a different thread about this issue. Will see if I can find it again.