storing loaded mags Or unload them?

[bspitt]

I have three carry options. A .38 snubbie (its loaded all the time), a P95 & a glock 22. Depending on what I wear, I carry different guns. Sometimes the P95 & glock 22 are kept in a safe while carring the .38. (I carry it most often as its easy to conceal in front pocket carry) My question is - Is it bad for the springs in the mag of semi-autos to leave them fully loaded, 24/7/365? Or should I unload the mags when not in use. I have to keep them locked up, because I have 4 boys. Yeah - they know gun safety & know not to touch dad's guns unless dad is with them- but I just can't take that chance.

Thanks
Brannon

 

[tookalisten]

I keep mine loaded and have had no problems. I think the springs wear from use rather than sitting empty or compressed - but that is just my opinion, I have no reference to support this theory. Others will chime in with their experience - good question.

 

[Texasgunner]

KEEP THEM LOADED - PERIOD 8)

 

[Donaldjr1969]

Is it a good idea to, at the very least, unload and reload the magazines once a month if the pistol has not been fired? Or is that not really necessary?

 

[Conn AK]

Better off leaving them loaded, period. Not an expert, but experts say that compressing and decompressing springs is what wears them out, not leaving them loaded. My Dad, 86 , has a WW2 Italian Air Force Beretta .32acp pistol which has been loaded (only one magazine), except when rarely shot, since coming home from the service, in 1945. If I bring that gun to the range today, all 7 rounds function flawlessly. My Dad served in the South Pacific, but he bought it off a guy Stateside who looted it from an Italian officer during the Italian Campaign.

 

[Big Stu]

Here's my take on it. If you keep your weapon unloaded, it may cost your life. If the spring wears out from keeping it loaded (and I doubt it will) then the cost will be about $35.00 for a new magazine. So lets see: Life vs. $35.00 = hmmmmm, not such a tough decision after all.

 

[bspitt]

Here's my take on it. If you keep your weapon unloaded, it may cost your life. If the spring wears out from keeping it loaded (and I doubt it will) then the cost will be about $35.00 for a new magazine. So lets see: Life vs. $35.00 = hmmmmm, not such a tough decision after all.

I understand what you are saying...But the guns locked-up in my safe are not my "life-saving" weapons. I keep one on me, or on my night-stand, all the time for that reason & yes they are loaded and ready. I guess what I am asking is...for long term storage of any mag-fed auto loader..does it weaken the mag springs to be compressed all the time...seems to me that the springs would weaken and cause FTF in the last few rounds of the mag...but I don't really know if it does or not.

Thanks
Brannon

 

[jhearne]

The springs will weaken from repeated use of the gun's cycling and your reloading. They should last longer than you if you leave them loaded up 24/7. I keep my SR9 unloaded as it's a range gun only for me, but any SD/HD gun is loaded 24/7.

Only real reason a Mag Spring should fail is from very negligible maintenance or a flaw in the spring's material or design. If your going to leave them loaded, ensure they are factory mags. I wouldn't do this with some aftermarket mag brands.

Josh

 

[vacextar]

I agree....leave them loaded. For peace of mind if you're doubtful, buy some spare mag springs and replace them every 10 years....or whatever time-period gives you the peace of mind you need. A lot cheaper than buying all new mags just because you're worried about the spring.

Other than when I'm shooting it, the mags for my Sig P230 have remained loaded for the past 15 years straight and have never given me a problem.

 

[Richbaker]

Here's my take on it. If you keep your weapon unloaded, it may cost your life. If the spring wears out from keeping it loaded (and I doubt it will) then the cost will be about $35.00 for a new magazine. So lets see: Life vs. $35.00 = hmmmmm, not such a tough decision after all.

Closer to $10 for a new spring.... why trash a perfectly good mag body??

 

[hittman]

Loaded.

 

[resident]

[....But the guns locked-up in my safe are not my "life-saving" weapons. ...does it weaken the mag springs to be compressed all the time...seems to me that the springs would weaken and cause FTF in the last few rounds of the mag...but I don't really know if it does or not.

Thanks
Brannon

Gun magazines stored in a safe should be UNloaded. (Hint: The manufaturer has hundreds, if not thousands of them in storage for future sale. What condition to you think they store them?) :roll:

 

[ranger1]

(Hint: The manufaturer has hundreds, if not thousands of them in storage for future sale. What condition to you think they store them?) :roll:

In bubble cards ready for the retailer. 8)

 

[Strange]

Unloaded if stored in locked container and not primary defense weapon, I also rotate mags on defense weapon. My feelings are that if springs under stress for long durations it can fail or not function to its potential. Just my opinion!

 

[bub]

Loaded is fine. Numerous tests have proven that, barring a defective spring, springs wear by use (compression and decompression) rather than by compressing it and leaving it compressed. Look at all the stories about finding a loaded 1911 mag that was brought back from WWII in 1945 and it still works, or an M16 mag from Vietnam that still works fine.

When the "high capacity magazine ban" passed in 1994, I was carrying my Glock 21 for my duty gun. Pre-ban mags for the G21 rapidly passed $100.00 each, so I got a letter from my Chief and bought 3 "LE Only" mags in early 1995 so that I wouldn't damage any of my pre-ban mags. I have been using these same 3 mags exclusively since 1995 for duty use. Except for when I am shooting, they are ALWAYS loaded and in my mag carrier and they always work flawlessly. I also have some mags that have been loaded since I bought the G21 in 1992 or 1993 that still work flawlessly.

If you are worried about it, buy some spare springs for your mags. They are cheap and are good insurance. Then, if you find any problems, you can swap out the springs in your carry mags and not have to worry about it.

Bub

 

[berettapistols]

The only reason I can see to have an empty magazine would be to push the ejector back up on the P Series pistols..
That said all of my magazines are loaded & ready to go..
This is P-89, MKII & 10/22 plus some other non mentionable non Rugers & my Revolvers are both moon clipped so there's several of the mooned cases siting in the storage part of my safe & all my non self defence magazines are in my range bag..

 

[Pernal]

I keep my 50 or so magazines loaded at all times. 45 are Ruger factory and 5 are Mec-gar. That should tell you something; I never replaced a spring in them. Some of them date back to 1992 / 18 years old.

 

[Pinecone]

bspitt, I have posted this before but will do so again. My uncle brought back a German High-Power 9mm from WWII in 1945. He had two loaded magazines with it and put it in a trunk in the closet until 1969 when I came across it. He verified that he had loaded it in 1945 and had never taken it out of the trunk. I was excited, to say the least about the "prospect" of being the "one" to check it out. Took it out to his camp and proceeded to fire both full mags (13 rounds each) without a hitch. 24 years those mag springs had been fully compressed with no ill effects! That test answered any questions I had to that point about mags and mag springs!.........................Dick :wink:

 

[bspitt]

thanks eveyone for the advice!!!! Pinecone---did he shoot the same ammo that was from 1945???

 

[Pinecone]

bspitt, It was "captured/commandeered" German ammo! He brought back quite a bit of German millitaria along with quite a few weapons. When I was a young man he offered me "one" of any of his guns I wanted. I opted for a very nice Winchester Model 94 .32 Special as at the time, I needed a good deer rifle. He also had a very nice engraved German Drilling 16 gauge/9 x 72 that I should have "opted" for as that gun would be worth a fortune today. My aunt later sold that gun after he passed away. Incidentally, my cousin got the 9mm High Power. However, I still have the Model 94 and it still has cherished memories for me.......................Dick :wink:

 

[RobertAnsonHeinlein]

Do the springs on your car wear out while it's parked or when you drive over bad roads every day? Springs sitting quietly, loaded or unloaded, are not wearing out.

 

[Anonymous]

My instructor said a manuf's rep told him to not WORRY about it, but it would be a good idea to unload a mag every couple of months. Not to argue with the old model auto, but maybe the manuf.'ing process is different these days. He also said to rotate mags in weapons, as mentioned before.

 

[HoosierBilly]

My dad graduated as Navy officer in 1957. He had his gun magazines loaded 24/7/365 since then (same gun & magazines since 1957) I shot with his gun in the 90's with never a failure. I never heard him say anything wrong with the mags. His gun never failed, only his heart early this year. So, keep it loaded buddy.