Just wondering if there are any issues with storing ammo in magazines?I have heard that it could damage the feed spring. I have a Glock 21 SF,13rnd mag. I like the idea of having it ready "incase"I do not store it chambered .No children around to be concerned with so no worries there .I do store the mags with 1 or 2 rounds short.
Ammo in magazines
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Storing the magazine full will weaken the spring. If you feel that you need to have a magazine ready to shoot right away, I would get a second magazine and alternate between them each week and only loading 9-10 rounds.
Good idea.I have 3 mags,thanks
From everything I have read it is USING the magazine that eventually destroys the spring.
Metallurgy has advanced to the point where springs are just fine under the constant load of a full magazine. Think of all the captive recoil springs out there, they are under constant load and work extremely well.
The constant load/no-load of a spring in use is what will eventually make it weaker.
But the rotation every 6-months to a year of magazines and the ammunition in them is a good idea anyways. Shooting is fun!
Metallurgy has advanced to the point where springs are just fine under the constant load of a full magazine. Think of all the captive recoil springs out there, they are under constant load and work extremely well.
The constant load/no-load of a spring in use is what will eventually make it weaker.
But the rotation every 6-months to a year of magazines and the ammunition in them is a good idea anyways. Shooting is fun!
http://ammo.ar15.com/ammo/project/store_storemags.html
"Q. Can I store ammo pre-loaded in magazines for an extended period of time? Won't the magazine springs wear out and cause feeding problems? Shouldn't I rotate my mags?
Shouldn't be a problem;
No and;
Probably not.
What wears out springs are cycles of compression and expansion and also over-compression. So, every time you "rotate" your mags, you are causing additional wear by cycling the spring. Loading and unloading magazines will cause more problems than loading and storing them for good. For best results USGI magazines are probably the best bet because many aftermarket magazines use cheap springs.
One AR15.com member reportedly discovered a fully loaded 20 round USGI mag that was loaded in the Vietnam era. 20 some years later it not only functioned fine but continues to do so. Others have reported 1911 mags and Luger mags loaded up since World War II that continued to function perfectly when first fired after 40 years."
"Q. Can I store ammo pre-loaded in magazines for an extended period of time? Won't the magazine springs wear out and cause feeding problems? Shouldn't I rotate my mags?
Shouldn't be a problem;
No and;
Probably not.
What wears out springs are cycles of compression and expansion and also over-compression. So, every time you "rotate" your mags, you are causing additional wear by cycling the spring. Loading and unloading magazines will cause more problems than loading and storing them for good. For best results USGI magazines are probably the best bet because many aftermarket magazines use cheap springs.
One AR15.com member reportedly discovered a fully loaded 20 round USGI mag that was loaded in the Vietnam era. 20 some years later it not only functioned fine but continues to do so. Others have reported 1911 mags and Luger mags loaded up since World War II that continued to function perfectly when first fired after 40 years."
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
Storing the magazine full will weaken the spring. If you feel that you need to have a magazine ready to shoot right away, I would get a second magazine and alternate between them each week and only loading 9-10 rounds.
100% wrong.
Storing mags with the ammount of ammo they are made to hold WILL NOT weaken the spring.
Use of the mag (compressing and decompressing) overtime will weaken the spring. The spring being compressed is NOT what weakens the spring.
Keep your mags loaded.
Storing the magazine full will weaken the spring. If you feel that you need to have a magazine ready to shoot right away, I would get a second magazine and alternate between them each week and only loading 9-10 rounds.
100% wrong.
Storing mags with the ammount of ammo they are made to hold WILL NOT weaken the spring.
Use of the mag (compressing and decompressing) overtime will weaken the spring. The spring being compressed is NOT what weakens the spring.
Keep your mags loaded.
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
Storing the magazine full will weaken the spring. If you feel that you need to have a magazine ready to shoot right away, I would get a second magazine and alternate between them each week and only loading 9-10 rounds.
100% wrong.
Storing mags with the ammount of ammo they are made to hold WILL NOT weaken the spring.
Use of the mag (compressing and decompressing) overtime will weaken the spring. The spring being compressed is NOT what weakens the spring.
Keep your mags loaded.
And you are 100% correct!
Originally Posted By: ProfPS
Storing the magazine full will weaken the spring. If you feel that you need to have a magazine ready to shoot right away, I would get a second magazine and alternate between them each week and only loading 9-10 rounds.
100% wrong.
Storing mags with the ammount of ammo they are made to hold WILL NOT weaken the spring.
Use of the mag (compressing and decompressing) overtime will weaken the spring. The spring being compressed is NOT what weakens the spring.
Keep your mags loaded.
And you are 100% correct!
Ok,think I'll keep mags loaded,but leave a couple rounds out.Thanks
Off topic, but not really...
Does this mean the standard advice of turning clicker type torque wrenches down near the lowest setting is also incorrect?
If keeping the spring compressed does not wear it out, it should not damage the wrench. If cycling the spring does wear it out, the act of turning it down to the lowest setting does (somewhat) damage the wrench.
Does this mean the standard advice of turning clicker type torque wrenches down near the lowest setting is also incorrect?
If keeping the spring compressed does not wear it out, it should not damage the wrench. If cycling the spring does wear it out, the act of turning it down to the lowest setting does (somewhat) damage the wrench.
I just received a Ram Line 50 rnd mag I ordered for my Ruger 10/22 it states "safe to store ammo" on the manual.
Quote:
rg200amp said
100% wrong.
Storing mags with the ammount of ammo they are made to hold WILL NOT weaken the spring.
Use of the mag (compressing and decompressing) overtime will weaken the spring. The spring being compressed is NOT what weakens the spring.
Keep your mags loaded.
I must agree with Mr. rg200... Others can use whatever analogy to the contrary that they wish- but keeping a magazine loaded with ammo will NOT weaken the spring. This is a age old debate that has been settled by experts over and over and over again. rg200 hit the nail on the head and there isnt much to add to what he said. I will say that it is much more important is that you buy a quality magazine to begin with. A quality magazine will stand up to being loaded for a extended period of time, dont lose sleep over it.
rg200amp said
100% wrong.
Storing mags with the ammount of ammo they are made to hold WILL NOT weaken the spring.
Use of the mag (compressing and decompressing) overtime will weaken the spring. The spring being compressed is NOT what weakens the spring.
Keep your mags loaded.
I must agree with Mr. rg200... Others can use whatever analogy to the contrary that they wish- but keeping a magazine loaded with ammo will NOT weaken the spring. This is a age old debate that has been settled by experts over and over and over again. rg200 hit the nail on the head and there isnt much to add to what he said. I will say that it is much more important is that you buy a quality magazine to begin with. A quality magazine will stand up to being loaded for a extended period of time, dont lose sleep over it.
I would never store ammo in any of my magazines unless total metdown of the world arrives. If you need ammo in the ready then consider a revolver like I do for home defense along with a couple of speed loaders.
Durango
Durango
I used to worry about it, but think about all the autos in the military and police that stay loaded for years and years without a bad spring. I have mine loaded and dont worry about spring failure. If you lose sleep, then go the revolver route.
I have three loaded AR mags and three loaded USP mags all the time. The USP mags have +10% springs in them as one of them would not lock back the slide reliably right after I bought it. A rusted spring was the culprit.
Panzerman,
If you in the field and under war/riot conditions to have magazines loaded for something that might not happen in our lifetine isn't necessary.
Storn/earthquake I can understand those conditions cuz your life is on the line.
Again, I say have a good revolver and about three speed loaders.
My plan should gain you time to load=up all the magazines you need. Be glad you guys can have high capacity magzs. All I can have is those lousey 10 rounders.
Durango
If you in the field and under war/riot conditions to have magazines loaded for something that might not happen in our lifetine isn't necessary.
Storn/earthquake I can understand those conditions cuz your life is on the line.
Again, I say have a good revolver and about three speed loaders.
My plan should gain you time to load=up all the magazines you need. Be glad you guys can have high capacity magzs. All I can have is those lousey 10 rounders.
Durango
Durango, I thought the assult ban was over. Why cant you get the high capacity mags anymore? If its because of the State of CA, Id be making some detours in the mail through relatives from other states from Sportsman guide.
California only allows 10 rds. Possession of a high cap mag is a felony I believe, so it is not really worth the trouble.
Mag springs are fine when left fully loaded for years on end. Mag springs get worn out from over compression and/or using them, ie, loading them and unloading them.
There is nothing wrong with keeping a magazine loaded for self defense. What are you supposed to do, load them while the bad guy is breaking in?
Mag springs are fine when left fully loaded for years on end. Mag springs get worn out from over compression and/or using them, ie, loading them and unloading them.
There is nothing wrong with keeping a magazine loaded for self defense. What are you supposed to do, load them while the bad guy is breaking in?
Mag springs are cheap for Glocks, and take 30 seconds to change.
Keep 'em loaded, and change the springs as needed.
I've got all of mine loaded, and have kept them this way for 3 years. Even better that you have no kids around, and can keep one in the chamber.
Keep 'em loaded, and change the springs as needed.
I've got all of mine loaded, and have kept them this way for 3 years. Even better that you have no kids around, and can keep one in the chamber.
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