Mag question

[Kalel]

Without any experience with mutli capicity mags I have a question that most every one here knows the answer to. My first inclination is no problem but I have had 2 individuals that should know tell me not to leave mags loaded. They say it causes premature spring failure, they even went on to say half load them ie 15/30.    thks

[Lumber_Jack]

you can probably find a myriad of answers, even on this forum.  Truth is springs fail through use, i.e. compression then expansion.  Staying in one position either  loaded or unloaded will not damage the spring.  All my AR mags are loaded, for nothing more than time saving at the range.  and loading them half way is no different than loading them all the way

[hipower]

Opinions do vary on the subject, but I think most of the gun community will tend to agree with Lumber_Jack.  Maybe in the past, there could have been issues with long-time loaded mags, but with current metals and technology in construction, there shouldn't be any problems keeping them loaded til use. 

[enfield]

I don't answer this question any more.  I'm tired of it.

[1gewehr]

Two things will wear out magazine springs:

1)  Over compression.  Trying to load more cartridges than the magazine was designed to hold.

2)  Excessive compression/release cycles.  Typically, it takes thousands of cycles of loading and unloading to start wearing out magazine springs.

 

Downloading your magazine does absolutely nothing to help the springs.  In some magazines, the pressure on the top round is so great that the bolt or slide has trouble pushing it out of the magazine.  In those cases, downloading by a round or two can help that issue.  It does not increase spring life.

 

Leaving your magazines fully loaded will not wear out your springs either.  Modern steel springs do not develop a 'set' or lose strength from being compressed within design limits.  If you expose them to high temperatures or allow them to rust or corrode, then you can damage the springs.

[Kalel]

Thanks everyone.    EN......Sorry to have taken you away from your very important schedule,

I can see you had more important things to do, and yes altho maybe not good enough I did

search before asking.  (_E=mc2_)

[enfield]

You're forgiven.  :D

 

You wouldn't believe how often this question is asked.  Join a few more gun forums and visit them daily for a couple of years.  You'll see.

[monkeylizard]

Do you mean like this one?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/60268-mags-loaded-or-unloaded/

or this one?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/56646-magazine-question/

or this one?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/51709-keep-extra-mags-loaded/

or this one?

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/17310-magazines-full-or-empty/

 

:)

 

Kalel, those threads are all in the Gear and Accessories forum. If you were just searching the Long guns forum, I can see how you'd miss them.