magazine care?

[jadoti]

I was wondering what y'all do to take care of your magazines? I have a loaded magazine in my EDC and I'm curious what that does to the spring and what, if anything, I should be doing to make sure that they're not being "damaged" over time. I get unloading them at the range when I can, but that doesn't take tension off the springs for that long, and when I leave, it's fully loaded again... any thoughts?

[Mike S]

With modern magazines, my understanding is that it's the cycles of tension & release that causes spring wear (not constant tension). Thus said, if you just leave your EDC mags loaded there'll be less loss of spring tension than trying to rotate magazines. If this holds true, it'll be the mag's that you load/shoot/load for range practice that'll wear out first.

[cmgee67]

I'm interested to see the opinions as well. Personally I'm like you. At least two of my mags are loaded at all times. One in the gun and one I carry as backup. After 10 months of carry I have not noticed any difference in the way my mags perform. I shoot once a month and haven't seen anything different that I can personally notice except wear on the mag from inserting and taking them out and also they are a little easier to load but that comes with breaking them in.

[Soccerdad1995]

I must just be lucky as I have never had issues with any of my mags. These include Glock mags (19, 21, 26, 34, 42 and 43), 1911's (various manufacturers and sizes), Sig-Sauer P226, Kel-Tec, Taurus, etc., etc. I have had other issues with my guns, but nothing related to the mag. I have also never managed to wear out any magazine springs, even for the Glock 19 that I bought in 2009.

I figure that I will start worrying about it after I have my first issue. Until then, I'll worry about other things like keeping my guns clean and well maintained and justifying my latest purchase with SWMBO.

[Pawpaw]

Do you jack your car up at night to take the tension of it's springs?

Of course not. Why? Because the weight of the car is within design limits for the springs. Loaded magazines are also within the spring's design limits.

[cmgee67]

Do you jack your car up at night to take the tension of it's springs?

Of course not. Why? Because the weight of the car is within design limits for the springs. Loaded magazines are also within the spring's design limits.

This

[flowrie]

I have three mags loaded for a Shield, for the last two years, still have trouble loading the rounds in the mags when I take it to the range due to the stiff springs. Also have 1911 mags loaded for years, no problems.

[warnmar10]

Do you jack your car up at night to take the tension of it's springs?

Of course not. Why? Because the weight of the car is within design limits for the springs. Loaded magazines are also within the spring's design limits.

This

Mmm hmm.

[TreyHouston]

An "outside the box" thought..... you can always buy a new gun every year and not worry about it!

[jadoti]

Do you jack your car up at night to take the tension of it's springs?

... and release the pressure in the tires while it's off the ground... doesn't everybody? :)

Good point, as are the rest. One less thing to think about.

[flechero]

I have a truck that the springs wore out on.

In all sincerity though, I do replace mag springs in carry mags every 1-2 years for the CC guns I have kept long term. They are cheap (usually $3-$8 for spring or spring and follower) and I can tell a very distinct difference when I change them out. It's cheap insurance when you don't really know how much life is in that spring. If you shoot your CC weapon enough to remain proficient, you probably should change the mag springs every 1-2 years.

[Smokey613]

I still have my original 3 SS mags for my Delta Elite. I cleaned them regularly after using them but the remainder of the time they were loaded to capacity 24/7 as I used them on duty for 11 years. They still function as well today as they ever did and I have had them and my DE since 1987. Having said that, I have ordered 3 new Wolff magazine +5% springs for them and will replace them when they arrive. Afterwards I will give them a full workout with various 10mm loads included full power defense rounds to insure their functioning before relying on them.

[MrMcCullster]

I've had my gun since 2009, and before I got my LTC this year, it stayed in my nightstand fully loaded with one in the chamber. I think I maybe went to the range once or twice in that time? It was that "checkmark" to make sure I had a gun just in case someone robbed me.

Now that I've taken my LTC course and gotten my plastic, I have a completely different view. During the training course, our instructor even mentioned the very thing this post addresses. He said, "Do you leave your mags fully loaded under tension for years on end and never go to the range? That could be an issue when the time came to use it in a defensive situation?" He suggested loading two less (if the magazine holds 12, load 10) than what the magazine will hold in order to keep some room for tension in the mag spring.

I think the answer to this question is: Does it make you feel safer and the gun feel more reliable to check these things out more? Do you have the time to do it? Then do it. Anything that will put your mind at ease on the potential worst day of your life.

I think each magazine should be relieved of tension every so often, just to be on the safe side. I think the quality of mags nowadays kind of makes it a moot point, but it makes me feel better if I've swapped my mag out every 3 months. I also make it a point now to go to the range way more than I did to practice drawing from concealment. My favorite part is going to the range with my carry piece, and pulling my firearm that has been loaded under my shirt for the past 3 months and making sure it goes bang when I pull it out. I usually empty the clip of defensive rounds.

My opinion is that the user should have at least 5 magazines per handgun (more if they can afford it). I have multiple spots for those magazines (loaded in the gun, extra mag in the nightstand, carry mag, extra mag in the car). And the others will be unloaded in my range bag. The more the better I say. This 5 mag setup also helps downtime at the range loading mags. Load five, shoot for awhile, etc.

I have a google alert setup to remind me every 3 months to swap ammo and mags in my carry gun.

Like I said, completely different philosophy than what I had before, but one that I've decided to take on if I want to carry everyday and be ready.

[TXBO]

I've had my gun since 2009, and before I got my LTC this year, it stayed in my nightstand fully loaded with one in the chamber. I think I maybe went to the range once or twice in that time? It was that "checkmark" to make sure I had a gun just in case someone robbed me.

Now that I've taken my LTC course and gotten my plastic, I have a completely different view. During the training course, our instructor even mentioned the very thing this post addresses. He said, "Do you leave your mags fully loaded under tension for years on end and never go to the range? That could be an issue when the time came to use it in a defensive situation?" He suggested loading two less (if the magazine holds 12, load 10) than what the magazine will hold in order to keep some room for tension in the mag spring.

I think a magazine should be relieved of tension every so often, just to be on the safe side. I think the quality of mags nowadays kind of makes it a moot point, but it makes me feel better if I've swapped my mag out every 3 months.

My opinion is that the user should have at least 5 magazines per handgun (more if they can afford it). I have multiple spots for those magazines (loaded in the gun, extra mag in the nightstand, carry mag, extra mag in the car). And the others will be unloaded in my range bag. The more the better I say. This 5 mag setup also helps downtime at the range loading mags. Load five, shoot for awhile, etc.

I have a google alert setup to remind me every 3 months to swap ammo and mags in my carry gun.

Like I said, completely different philosophy than what I had before, but one that I've decided to take on if I want to carry everyday and be ready.

Your instructor gave you an educated opinion with no scientific basis.