Do magazine springs weaken under compression? (2023)

Do magazine springs weaken under compression?

Now a lot of folks believe that it will ruin the compression of the spring. This is incorrect. Springs lose compression by being compressed/released over and and over again. Compressing and leaving it is fine, as long as it isn't an overused weak spring to begin with.

Does keeping magazines loaded weaken spring?

When left loaded to full capacity and not used, most magazines will very slowly lose some amount of spring tension over time. Unfortunately, it's impossible to say with any certainty just how long it will take before the spring loses enough tension to start causing issues.

How long can you keep a magazine loaded before the spring goes bad?

Some ammunition manufacturers recommend rotating service-related ammunition as little as every six months. By following that guide line, magazines would remain fully loaded a maximum of six months before being unloaded and reloaded.

How long do pistol magazine springs last?

The new springs will be good under full compression for decades and maybe 100 years. Under constant use. Don't forget your main spring and other springs in your gun. I would replace them every 10 years as part of a tuneup.

Should you load magazine to full capacity?

This is a common misconception. What wears out magazine springs is repeated loading/unloading. People have tested USGI magazines for 1911 pistols that have been loaded for decades, and they functioned just fine. That being said, for AR-15/M-16 magazines, it is best to download the magazine by two rounds.

How long can you leave a mag loaded?

Are there any negative effects of storing magazines fully loaded? This is a hangover to WWI, when the old 1911 mag springs would lose their spring. With today's modern spring steel you can leave them loaded indefinitely.

Is it bad to leave AR 15 magazines loaded?

As far as safety goes, yes it is totally safe to keep them loaded. As far as if storing them loaded will damage them, yes but only a little. The magazine spring may take on some set, but it'll work just fine.

How often should you rotate loaded magazines?

In order to keep your self-defense guns functioning well, you must rotate your ammunition and magazines. Follow this simple plan to rotate them twice a year, similar to changing the batteries in your smoke detectors.

Should you oil a magazine spring?

Wipe down the inside of the tube, the follower and the spring with a clean patch to get any remaining junk off, but don't oil any of the magazine parts or the magazine body. You want to keep the magazine dry on the inside, because oil will just attract more junk.

Is it bad to leave a drum magazine loaded?

Magpul drums are designed to be left loaded without issue, and some AK drums can be 'unwound' can be left loaded, but not necessarily ready.

How often do you change magazine springs?

I replace magazine springs about once a decade. More often if the magazine is frequently used. Wollf Gun Springs are an excellent source.

How long is ammo good for?

In terms of shelf life, ammunition generally doesn't expire or go bad. Many manufacturers will list an expiration date of ten years past the manufacturer date, but that's more for legal reasons than it is for safety reasons. If it's stored correctly, then there's no real known limit to how long you can keep ammunition.

Why is it so hard to load a pistol magazine?

The first round on most magazines is easy to load, because you're barely compressing the spring, but as you add rounds, the spring is compressed more and the tension becomes stronger, making it more difficult to slide rounds into the magazine.

Do high capacity magazines jam?

There's a reason militaries stick to 30 round mags - they're the most reliable for their performance. Spring tension in larger magazines can cause frequent jams if not meticulously maintained.

How many magazines should I keep loaded?

You should carry at least 2 magazines for concealed carrying; one in your gun and a spare. If your carry gun has a low capacity (less than 10 rounds total, including one in the chamber), consider carrying 3 or even 4 magazines instead, as you may run out of ammo very quickly otherwise.

How many rounds does a soldier carry?

So, you're looking at 210 rounds of 5.56×45 ammo. This is standard across the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

Should you always keep your gun loaded?

Firearms Should Be Unloaded When Not Actually in Use

Firearms should be loaded only when you are in the field or on the target range or shooting area, ready to shoot.

Can you keep a gun loaded all the time?

Technically speaking, unloading and reloading your gun isn't bad for the handgun itself. However, repeatedly loading and unloading the same exact round can potentially become problematic over time. It's best to rotate your rounds and make sure the reloaded ones are fired off on a regular basis.

What is considered high capacity magazine for AR-15?

What does the State of California consider a "High Capacity" magazine? CA has legislated that any ammunition feeding device that holds more than 10 cartridges is a "high capacity" magazine.

Can a bullet go off while loading a magazine?

Not a modern cartridge, no. Unless the primer is struck with fairly firm, percussive force by something small enough (like the sharp point of a nail), or unless you get the bullet way hotter than you could stand to hold, it will not fire.

What is the average magazine capacity of an AR-15?

Most AR-15-type rifles are sold with a 30-round magazine, but it is possible to purchase after-market magazines with as many as 100 rounds. That means the speed with which you shoot is limited only by the speed at which you are able to pull the trigger.

Why should ammunition magazines be kept dry at all times?

Keep your ammo in a cool, dry place

This space should have very limited exposure to air, low variance of temperature and low extremes of humidity and moisture. Constant exposure to humidity is the number one cause of ammo degradation, particularly when it comes to corrosion.

Why do people tape two magazines together?

Taping magazines together can be a faster reload method, but it can also be more difficult to handle and causes more recoil. Some soldiers choose to tape magazines together for a fast reload during combat, while others find that it is not necessary and saves weight by not using extra ammunition belts or clips.

Why are magazines tilted?

It has to do with the way bullets and their cartridges naturally nest within the magazine. Cartridges that are even slightly conical in shape are not able to sit perfectly straight, as depicted in the diagram we mocked up below.

What is the best grease for gun springs?

Is WD-40 safe to use on guns?

WD-40 is NOT a protectant, cleaner, nor lubricant and should NOT be used on firearms.

What are magazine springs called?

Magazine compression springs, also known as firearm springs, are oval or rectangular shaped coils placed inside the magazine or charger of a firearm. The springs are designed for single stack magazines using rectangular type springs available for popular pistol calibers.

Can you overload a magazine?

Do not try to overload your magazine as this can cause malfunctions in your gun's performance. Pistol: Compressing the spring can be made easier by resting the base of the magazine against a hard surface such as a tabletop. Use the round in your hand to push down on the follower and compress the spring.

Why don't militaries use drum magazines?

The military doesn't use them because they aren't very reliable. They're overly complicated in design, and are quite fragile as well. In short, they don't hold up well.

Is it illegal to have a drum magazine?

Regulation in the United States

Between 1994 and 2004, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban prohibited new magazines over 10 rounds in the United States. After the expiration of the ban, there is no nationwide prohibition against the possession of drum magazines, which are considered a regulated firearm accessory.

Should you carry extra magazines concealed?

Having a spare magazine at your disposal theoretically allows you to “return into the fight,” provided you can diagnose your pistol's malfunction type and swap magazines while under stress. Additionally, carrying spare magazines on your weak side acts as a counterweight to your defensive gun on your strong side.

Should I keep a magazine loaded for home defense?

According to Aimingexpert.com, it's generally fine to keep magazines loaded without ruining them. This is the consensus among notable gun experts who've voiced opinions on this topic. In fact, one gun owner shared a story about testing a very old gun with a loaded magazine that hadn't been fired for at least a century.

How many rounds should I keep in my magazine?

The number of rounds you keep in the magazine is whatever the magazine will hold for the given gun you've selected. Despite my fondness for . 45ACP, I'd happily trade 9 or 13 rounds in that magazine for 17, 19 or 21 rounds of 9mm in a comparable platform. Or 30 rounds of 5.56mm from an AR-15.

Do springs wear out from being compressed?

Springs are designed to store energy by compressing or stretching when a load is applied and release that energy when the load is removed. However, over time this repeated compression and release cycle puts continuous stress on the spring's material which causes it to deform and eventually lose its tension capacity.

Do springs deteriorate over time?

The short answer is yes. Over time, springs can lose their elasticity and become less effective. This is due to a combination of factors, including those mentioned above. However, it's important to note that not all springs will degrade at the same rate.

What makes springs wear out?

Fatigue. Over a long enough period of time, fatigue can occur, which is a condition where enough stress has repeatedly acted on the object and some deformation becomes permanent. In this case, it is harder to regain its complete normal shape. This is essentially what happens when a spring wears out.

Is 20 year old ammo safe to shoot?

Generally, yes. If factory centerfire cartridges are stored in a dry, cool place with low humidity, preferably in an airtight container, they can have an amazingly long shelf life. Many ballistics experts who have shot tens of thousands of rounds over the years report shooting 20- to 50-year-old ammo with no problems.

Will bullets go off in a fire?

In a structure fire, the heat produced during the burn activates and causes the bullets to explode; the larger the caliber of the bullet, the more explosive potential.

Should you store ammo in your gun?

The National Rifle Association (NRA) recommends that guns be stored unloaded until you need to use them. Keep your ammunition in a locked safe that is separate from your gun safe. Storing your ammunition away from your guns will lower the risk of your child or other family members putting the ammunition into the gun.

Does keeping a full magazine loaded weaken the spring?

When left loaded to full capacity and not used, most magazines will very slowly lose some amount of spring tension over time. Unfortunately, it's impossible to say with any certainty just how long it will take before the spring loses enough tension to start causing issues.

What gun takes most time to reload?

LMGs usually have the longest reload time due to its long mag size. SMGs usually have the shortest because of their mag empty time. There will be two rankings, one for each individual bullet, one for the whole mag (Some Shotguns and Sniper Rifles have a reload for each bullet).

Is it worth it to reload pistol ammo?

In most cases, you can reload a box of ammo for 33 percent to 50 percent less than you would pay for it in a shop. For many people, that alone makes it worthwhile because it allows them to practice their shooting more and keep within their shooting budget.

What size magazine does the military use?

The standard capacities of STANAG-compatible magazines are 20 or 30 rounds of 5.56×45mm NATO ammunition. There are also 5-, 10-, 40- and 50-round box magazines, as well as 60- and 100-round casket magazines, 90-round snail-drum magazines, and 100-round drum magazines.

Is there a 200 round drum?

MCR^® 200-round Polymer Linked Ammunition magazine. Designed to aid mobility and ammunition handling for belt-fed firearms, minimizing snag hazards when moving through the brush!

How many rounds is considered high capacity?

Although the statutory definitions vary, magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds of ammunition are generally considered “large capacity” magazines. An analysis of mass shootings between 1990 and 2017 found that attacks involving large capacity magazines resulted in a 62% higher death toll.

Is it OK to leave 30 round magazines loaded?

When using quality magazines with quality ammunition, stored and maintained properly, you can leave them loaded as long as you want to without any reservation.

How many pistol mags do police carry?

Most standard law enforcement loadouts for patrol include a magazine in the pistol and two spare magazines on the duty belt. Some carry more, some less.

Should you store guns loaded?

Always store your firearm unloaded. Use a firearms safety device AND store the firearm in a locked container. Store the ammunition separately in a locked container.

Is it bad to stack magazines?

Step one in preventing this is to never stack comics or magazines lying flat. This will cause the spines to curl and can occur even if they are stacked for a short period of time. Even standing periodicals on their “nose” end (the end you open them from) will cause warping over time.

Is it bad to keep Glock magazines fully loaded?

Is it okay to leave a Glock magazine loaded? - Quora. Leaving a magazine loaded leaves the spring compressed, will cause no problems at all springs don't wear from compression they wear from repeated compression and decompression. Holding a spring compressed will not harm it.

How long can ammo stay in a magazine?

It's recommended that you don't store ammo in a magazine for more than six months. When a bullet is in a magazine, it's more at risk of humidity and oxygen, both of which are damaging to a bullet. They can usually last in most moderate climates for 3-6 months, but it's best not to risk anything longer than that.

Why should you not store ammo with your guns?

Heat-cycling can cause the gunpowder and priming compounds in ammunition to deteriorate and become less powerful (or completely ineffective), or in extreme cases, it can actually cause pressure spikes that can potentially harm your firearms or yourself.

Should you keep a round in the chamber for home defense?

The basic design of almost every popular self-defense firearm made today is what makes them also inherently safe for carry with one in the chamber. Almost without exception they are equipped with redundant active and passive safeties that keep them from firing unless the trigger is deliberately pulled to the rear.

Why shouldn't you put a round in the chamber?

It is just too dangerous. The gun could go off inadvertently and cause injury or death. It does not take that long to rack the slide and chamber a round.

Are magazines worth keeping?

Most any older periodicals can have some value depending on how many people want it. As an example, to those who gather sports memorabilia, finding a copy of the first Sports Illustrated magazine published in 1954 can be a real treasure. They easily retail for thousands in excellent to mint condition.

Can you overload a gun magazine?

Do not try to overload your magazine as this can cause malfunctions in your gun's performance. Pistol: Compressing the spring can be made easier by resting the base of the magazine against a hard surface such as a tabletop. Use the round in your hand to push down on the follower and compress the spring.

Do double stack magazines jam?

With two diagonal rows of cartridges resting against an angled follower, though infrequent, jamming is much more common on a double-stack magazine vs. a single-stack magazine.

How many rounds before a Glock goes bad?

380, 9mm, . 45, and 10mm I recommend replacing every 5000 to 10,000 rounds. I also recommend that you use only Glock factory recoil springs.

Is it OK to leave Glock chambered?

A cartridge in the chamber will discharge when the trigger is pulled, whether or not a magazine is in your GLOCK pistol. Therefore, never leave your GLOCK pistol unattended, even when the magazine is removed.

Why does Glock use polymer magazines?

The innovative polymer frame of GLOCK pistols does not require grip shells. As a result, it has considerably more space for the magazine body and enables double-row staggered cartridge configuration. For this reason, GLOCK pistols are superior in firepower to conventional pistol models of the same size.