Magazine spring durability

[tec]

Hi, my question is about magazine spring durability. Does it put undo wear and tear on a magazine's spring to keep it loaded for long periods of time, say a week or longer? I suppose an easier way to say it would be- does the mag spring last longer if it is stored unloaded? Thanks

[Agent Ronin]

Loaded or unloaded, they will last the same.

What wears magazine springs out is the loading/unloading cycle! Constant compression and relaxing will cause the spring metal to loose its memory characteristics.


As for how long you can store mags loaded... There have been stories of people finding USGI M14 mags that were loaded during Vietnam... and they still work like new. So either keep em loaded, or unloaded.

[tec]

Loaded or unloaded, they will last the same.

What wears magazine springs out is the loading/unloading cycle! Constant compression and relaxing will cause the spring metal to loose its memory characteristics.


As for how long you can store mags loaded... There have been stories of people finding USGI M14 mags that were loaded during Vietnam... and they still work like new. So either keep em loaded, or unloaded.

Ah OK cool. Thanks!

[DaveM55]

I've had magazines from AR15, FAL, SIG 220, Colt 45ACP, SIG 239 stored fully loaded for more than three years and still function perfect.

The only mag springs that wear out are the ones that I take to the range every time.

[dragonofpa]

The other posters where partially incorrect. As time progresses springs becomes "tensed" and eventually will cause feed errors. Depends on the magazine and the age, also how long it is loaded up.

Theoretically if you leave a magazine fully loaded for 20 years there is a good chance it will misfeed the first time you use it. It is a factor.

[Lycanthrope]

Cycles kill mag springs.

Anything you want to know about gun springs....

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showforum=28

Lycancyclesthrope