keeping ammo in magazine

[CL3]

Hi... I'm new here. I was wondering what are peoples' opinions on keeping ammo in magazines for extended time. I've heard it's not good for the life of the mag spring, and potentially could cause a FTF when you might need it most.

Is this for fully loaded mags, or mags loaded with just a few rounds for home defense? I noticed in the "What do you carry" forum post, a lot of people have 1 or 2 fully loaded mags at all times.

[Genin]

Mag springs wear down more from loading and unloading than from being fully loaded (compressed). No worries with keeping a mag fully loaded for a long period of time.

[Xringshooter]

Not a problem keeping ammo in a magazine. The spring is harmed more buy constantly being loaded and unloaded. I've seen a 1911 magazine that still had ammo in it from WWII (the one I know of was brought back by a vet, loaded and put away and forgotten about). It's magazine was loaded for 50+ years and worked just fine. As did the ammo. And modern springs are even better (metallurgically).

[mauser]

Mag springs wear down more from loading and unloading than from being fully loaded (compressed). No worries with keeping a mag fully loaded for a long period of time.

That's the general consensus. This subject has been discussed many times and every time the top answer is that loading and unloading weakens the spring, leaving it loaded does not, or not to an appreciable degree.

Hi... I'm new here. I was wondering what are peoples' opinions on keeping ammo in magazines for extended time. I've heard it's not good for the life of the mag spring, and potentially could cause a FTF when you might need it most.

Is this for fully loaded mags, or mags loaded with just a few rounds for home defense? I noticed in the "What do you carry" forum post, a lot of people have 1 or 2 fully loaded mags at all times.

It's coming, I might as well be the first to ask;
Why would anyone keep mags loaded with just a few rounds for home defense?
One of the popular advantages of a semi-auto instead of a revolver as a home or personal defense tool is that most revolvers only hold a few rounds while most semi-autos can hold many more.

ETA:
Welcome to PAFOA CL3.

[ByblosHex]

All of my guns' magazine have been kept loaded since I got them. Never had a magazine malfunction. I will tell you what though, an empty magazine is guaranteed to FTF.

[CL3]

"Why would anyone keep mags loaded with just a few rounds for home defense?"

I knew it would come too. I was told previously that it weakens the spring. That's why I asked the question about the mag spring. Now, it seems that if the general consensus it doesn't, I will load the mag fully.

I am no expert in these matters, but I learn quick.

[streaker69]

Never had a magazine malfunction. I will tell you what though, an empty magazine is guaranteed to FTF.

No, I've seen it hundreds of times on TV, guns with empty magazines still shoot.

[Svickstc]

Mag springs wear down more from loading and unloading than from being fully loaded (compressed). No worries with keeping a mag fully loaded for a long period of time.

^^This..

I have plenty of magazines loaded and ready to go all the time!

And streaker69 your last comment made me LOL

[ByblosHex]

No, I've seen it hundreds of times on TV, guns with empty magazines still shoot.

Well then go ahead and do that. Let me know how it works out for you

[elementfreak431]

My dad gave me some M16 mags he had from when he was in the Army that were all still loaded with Lake City ammo from the mid 70's. They all ran fine and they were loaded for close to 40 years!