How long do you keep your magazines loaded?

[Justin2012]

Hey guys, I normally keep a .38 snub nose in my truck all week long; but in the age of ISIS I decided to upgrade and I want to keep my Glock 19 in my truck; in addition to my 5 shot revolver. I'd prefer to leave my gun in my truck during the week, and just unload my magazines on Friday nights; then load up again on Monday mornings (I live in a very rural area, and my truck is always locked up in the garage, so theft isn't a concern). Do you guys think my springs will wear down from being loaded for 5 days, or am I good to go?

[Orive 8]

I rotate my carry/duty mags on the 1st of each month (wife's also). I have been doing this for 30 years; this works for me.

Some agree with rotating mags, some don't; each of us must make that decision for ourselves.

[donotknowme]

Springs will be fine. You're good to go.

[Justin2012]

I rotate my carry/duty mags on the 1st of each month (wife's also). I have been doing this for 30 years; this works for me.

Some agree with rotating mags, some don't; each of us must make that decision for ourselves.

Thanks Orive, I might just opt for the first of each month rotation instead.

[Emptymag]

Hey guys, I normally keep a .38 snub nose in my truck all week long; but in the age of ISIS I decided to upgrade and I want to keep my Glock 19 in my truck; in addition to my 5 shot revolver. I'd prefer to leave my gun in my truck during the week, and just unload my magazines on Friday nights; then load up again on Monday mornings (I live in a very rural area, and my truck is always locked up in the garage, so theft isn't a concern). Do you guys think my springs will wear down from being loaded for 5 days, or am I good to go?

I can't imagine they would "wear down" from being loaded for 5 YEARS.

[danhr]

I load mine when they are empty. Even when I put them away, I store them at full capacity (well except for the 5.56 AR mags... Those only get 28 in them)

Springs are designed to be compressed..... Storing them compressed for long periods of time does nothing bad to them.

[Noah_Zark]

I jack all my vehicles up at night to unload the springs in the suspension.

No, not true. Compressing and decompressing springs are what will break them; it's called fatigue. Loading them and letting them stay that way is just static stress; that alone won't break a spring unless it's overloaded. Magazine springs are designed for full compression until the follower bottoms on the floorplate. Yes, they will take a little "set" where the slring will shorten a bit but they are designed for this. Under no circumstances should a spring be "stretched" as this causes plastic deformation; it's like what happens after you bend a nail - it work hardens with each rebending until it breaks.

Load 'em and forget 'em.

Noah

[wa3ra]

Agreed, load 'em and forget 'em.

[DucatiRon]

I keep mine loaded till I shoot them. When I'm done shooting they get reloaded untill the next time I shoot.

[ungawa]

I jack all my vehicles up at night to unload the springs in the suspension.

No, not true. Compressing and decompressing springs are what will break them; it's called fatigue. Loading them and letting them stay that way is just static stress; that alone won't break a spring unless it's overloaded. Magazine springs are designed for full compression until the follower bottoms on the floorplate. Yes, they will take a little "set" where the slring will shorten a bit but they are designed for this. Under no circumstances should a spring be "stretched" as this causes plastic deformation; it's like what happens after you bend a nail - it work hardens with each rebending until it breaks.

Load 'em and forget 'em.

Stress is not the only issue. For a MechE, you are neglecting creep. There are no ideal springs.

I agree loading and unloading makes more of a difference, and for most mags none of it will make a difference. But i believe I have seen it make a difference in a few cases.