Post by: boneaddict on October 22, 2023, 08:48:54 AM
Post by: baldopepper on October 22, 2023, 09:13:47 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 22, 2023, 09:18:19 AM
Post by: Knocker of rocks on October 22, 2023, 09:29:21 AM
Does it ruin the magazine to leave loaded (compressed springs???)
Springs are ruined by extension or compression beyond their design criteria, or by cycles.
None of this would apply to storing ammunition in a magazine
Post by: b23 on October 22, 2023, 09:43:38 AM
Post by: buckfvr on October 22, 2023, 09:50:00 AM
Post by: huntandjeep on October 22, 2023, 11:16:30 AM
Post by: Alchase on October 22, 2023, 05:51:50 PM
And while they do sell magazine rebuild kits, I personally have not ever heard of one going bad.
I do cycle through my many full magazines. When I go shoot I grab the mags from the bottom of the stack. Then when re-stocking, I place the newest on top.
The magazines stored in my “home defense” rifles, I will take out and shoot once or twice a year just to cycle through the ammo.
Even that is not really needed, just a habit I got into.
Post by: boneaddict on October 22, 2023, 05:58:07 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 22, 2023, 06:09:48 PM
I've had mags that like the last round or two won't get picked up by the bolt.
It's like the spring can't push them up fast enough for the bolt to pick them up.
With that said,I think it only happened to me one time ,with a mag loaded to capacity for a very long time.
I believe it was some cheapo brand too.
Don't believe I've ever had any problems with Magpul.
Mags I use for hunting are normally half full.
Ten round mag , I'll load it with 5 while hunting,just cause I want the most reliable. As much spring tension as possible.
Self defense mag ,I'll load them all.
If it doesn't pick up the last round ,and goes click.
I'll drop it on the ground and grab another.
Post by: Alchase on October 23, 2023, 06:25:03 AM
I have a few 10 round mags, I only use for sighting in and range shooting, the rest are all 30 round mags. I use to have a few 20 round mags, but I found I never used them, and wanted all to be the same.
Keep your eye on Midway USA and other online retailers. They often have really good sales on 10 to 12 or more Mags.
Here is an article from Pew Pew Tactical with every thing you would ever need to know about AR Magazines.
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-magazines-ar-15/
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 23, 2023, 08:07:37 AM
Post by: Knocker of rocks on October 23, 2023, 09:40:04 AM
That is metallurgically correct, according to the applied physics guys.
The question would become, is the creep functionally significant in a realistic period of time measured in months, years, or decades.
https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/56286/why-does-a-spring-lose-its-energy-when-compressed-for-a-long-time#:~:text=If%20you%20keep%20it%20compressed,hence%20deformed(or%20bent).
Post by: Woodchuck on October 23, 2023, 09:44:24 AM
Post by: Knocker of rocks on October 23, 2023, 10:02:33 AM
Post by: Woodchuck on October 23, 2023, 10:09:43 AM
But the work cycle of a car spring is many orders of magnitude greater than any pistolAbsolutely, Just the way my brain works. :dunno:
Post by: gutsnthegrass on October 23, 2023, 01:22:32 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 23, 2023, 07:25:55 PM
The number of people who actually had issues with the springs “with know good magazines” was so insignificant.
We’re talking about less the 25 out of thousands who posted.
While It is mechanically possible, but so rare it is not worth worrying about.
Having the feed lips or followers damaged is 100s of times more common.
Why, because in combat you may not be in a position to actually worry about the mag you just dropped on reload.
Hence the term “Police up your mags” after contact.
:chuckle:
Post by: wadu1 on October 23, 2023, 09:41:25 PM
Post by: jaymark6655 on October 24, 2023, 02:43:52 AM
If its properly designed and built, leaving it compressed shouldn't have any impact. That is the key, even known good manufacturers can have a few go bad sooner than they should due to build tolerances and variation of material composition. Unloading probably won't really lengthen life of those poorly built mags, but cause them to go even quicker.
I have had more magazines hang up on feeding rounds from extreme use (load - fire - repeat all day long for months), being too dirty (most people don't clean mags, AR blow back is definingly going into them), deformation of body or follower (sometimes so minor its nearly impossible to see).
Post by: Alchase on October 24, 2023, 02:45:16 PM
Most mis-feeds are now caused by bad buffer spring or low gas.
Post by: 300rum on October 25, 2023, 10:41:56 AM
My dad brought back a loaded 1911 mag in 1946. I remember seeing it when I was a kid while cleaning up his place to sell, I found it. Ammo was head stamped WCC 44, put it in my 1911 and it ran just like new.
Post by: Chesapeake on November 10, 2023, 04:04:10 PM
To what point does it damage the spring and after how long?
I’d say damage is minimal and springs are cheap. I leave them loaded and if by chance one begins to fail me I’ll replace the spring.
Hasn’t happened yet.
Post by: Alchase on November 10, 2023, 08:47:42 PM
Let’s say leaving a mag loaded damages the spring.
To what point does it damage the spring and after how long?
I’d say damage is minimal and springs are cheap. I leave them loaded and if by chance one begins to fail me I’ll replace the spring.
Hasn’t happened yet.
I have many dozens of loaded Magazines, some have been in my rotation for many years. At the rate I shoot, each magazine would be shot "approximately" every six months. I take ten 30 rounders with me every week. Ten rounders are reserved for sighting in usually if accessories have changed, but they are in my range bag.
Not once, ever, have I had an instance where a spring has gone bad. No one I personally no of has either.