Magazine springs

[Tommy2Tone]

With your carry guns how often do you switch mags? Will a full mag that is left full for...a month damage the spring? Basically how often should i switch mags in and out?

 

[Bubbajms]

I'd say it probably depends on the magazine.. I know a handful of LEO types that only unload their magazine once a year, when they qualify with their handguns. Other than that, they're fully loaded for 364 days a year. Usually Glocks, statistically, but I've seen similar with some other handguns as well.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

Naw...

A general rule for springs: It's the action of compressing and relaxing them that'll wear them out.

Keeping them compressed all the time and/or relaxed all the time won't hurt anything.

Rotating the carry ammo every 6 mos or so IS good policy, but not on account of the springs.

-J-

 

[shooter521]

A general rule for springs: It's the action of compressing and relaxing them that'll wear them out.

Keeping them compressed all the time and/or relaxed all the time won't hurt anything.

Rotating the carry ammo every 6 mos or so IS good policy, but not on account of the springs.

on all of the above.

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

on all of the above.

Yay! Shooter521 likes me! LOL

 

[Siderite]

The only way keeping them compressed will wear on them is if they are over-compressed, past their elastic limit, and this is generally not possible to do based on follower designs (the legs on the follower prevents the spring from being compressed too far).

 

[Tommy2Tone]

Thanks for the info. This answers my question perfectly. For some reason i thought having them compressed all the time might hurt there...um springiness.

 

[cosermann]

+1 on the above, UNLESS, you have a mag with poor metallurgy, or one from a bad batch of springs. It happens with the best of manufacturers. But, as said above, if everything is/was designed and executed properly, keeping them loaded won't hurt.

 

[ATM]

Good article posted here:

https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...discussion/13476-magazine_spring_madness.html

Switch out mags as often as you like but no need to unload or cycle the springs.