Firearm owners...

[Torqaholic]

I haven't seen a problem with quality springs. IMO if a spring is going to become a problem it will happen fast because it was junk to begin with.

My concern about magazines is only for those made of plastic. Various plastics will creep (deform) at a specific rate depending on time, pressure, and temperature. I've quit leaving plastic mags loaded when not in use. Malfunctions due to feedlip geometry are a nightmare and not easily resolved except by buying a new magazine. Some of my plastic mags cost $300, hardly a disposable resource.

[FasterTraffic]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

I'm no expert but I do not believe a spring loses its "springiness" from being compressed for an extended period of time.

I'm sure someone here can confirm/deny.

Originally Posted by Nox

Your magazines will wear out faster from loading/unloading, than one that is left loaded all the time or unloaded all the time. Metal fatigue comes from loading and unloading, not from a constant state of compression.

Right on schedule.

[Flatbush Harry]

I no longer own guns due to a tragic boating accident in the deepest lake in the USA while transporting my gunsafe from California to Nevada.

If I owned them, I would clean bolt action rifles when accuracy starts to degrade (typically 100-400 rounds), semi-autos regularly, especially the chamber and gas cylinder/action rod, gas action/bolt carrier (hypothetically speaking) and, getting the lead out of revolvers after each session with a Lewis Lead Remover. All firearms not made of plastic used to get wiped down with a Rem Oil cloth after each range session.

I wish the boat hadn't flipped...eff'n Lake Tahoe is colder'n a Witches Teat.

Harry, sorrowfully but trying to be helpful

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by FasterTraffic

I'm no expert but I do not believe a spring loses its "springiness" from being compressed for an extended period of time.

I'm sure someone here can confirm/deny.

I have 4 identical 15 round mags that were purchased at the same time for my S&W 910S. 1 was loaded for about 5 years without ever being unloaded but has never been used to fire even once (long story).

The other 3 have shared the duty of 10,000+ rounds over that same timeframe. By FAR the weakest spring is the 1 that has never been used but had been left loaded with the spring compressed. The other 3 are still working just fine. The one that sat loaded for 5 years is still plenty strong to do the job, but it is noticeably weaker than the other 3.

Look online and you will find that everybody has their own opinion. For my specific S&W 910S factory 15 round magazines, keeping it loaded absolutely without a doubt reduced the spring's tension.


A Magazine Spring Experiment

The link above was an experiment done that seemed to have the same results.

[vtelvr]

Mixed answers on the magazine springs...I only rotate them about 3-4 times a year. However, they get used when going to the range so I don't have to reload the same magazine or 2 the whole time. So they all get a fairly routine workout. I have been lucky and have not had any FTL.

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by Flatbush Harry

I no longer own guns due to a tragic boating accident in the deepest lake in the USA while transporting my gunsafe from California to Nevada.

If I owned them, I would clean bolt action rifles when accuracy starts to degrade (typically 100-400 rounds), semi-autos regularly, especially the chamber and gas cylinder/action rod, gas action/bolt carrier (hypothetically speaking) and, getting the lead out of revolvers after each session with a Lewis Lead Remover. All firearms not made of plastic used to get wiped down with a Rem Oil cloth after each range session.

I wish the boat hadn't flipped...eff'n Lake Tahoe is colder'n a Witches Teat.

Harry, sorrowfully but trying to be helpful

My bet is EG was the Captain of that boat.

[Yerf Dog]

Originally Posted by cmb396

Just after I shoot them. I've never sat around and cleaned my guns for the helluva it.

[6spdC6]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

I've got an ammo question. How long can ammo sit around in a dry cool environment? Thanks

Decades under non humid conditions. We just recently fired a couple mags of .45 ACP that was put away in the 40s. All rounds fired and appeared normal to this experienced shooter. Both mags worked fine and are now available for use.

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by Kerrmudgeon

I've got an ammo question. How long can ammo sit around in a dry cool environment? Thanks

I regularly shoot 1940s production ammo out of my 1911 and 50s/60s ammo out of my M1 Garands and 1903.

1942 manufacture:

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

Oil after use & as needed.
I fire 7.62 & .223 from decades ago. No issues as its stored in low humidity 50-80 degree temps........lookin & workin fine

[Firevette]

After I shoot. Also every few months when it starts to get dusty. (I am single/no kids so it stays in the open)

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Torqaholic

I haven't seen a problem with quality springs. IMO if a spring is going to become a problem it will happen fast because it was junk to begin with.

My concern about magazines is only for those made of plastic. Various plastics will creep (deform) at a specific rate depending on time, pressure, and temperature. I've quit leaving plastic mags loaded when not in use. Malfunctions due to feedlip geometry are a nightmare and not easily resolved except by buying a new magazine. Some of my plastic mags cost $300, hardly a disposable resource.

Plastic mags? Now I'm interested in this because I've never seen one and, quite frankly, I'd be leery to use one. What reason do you see for using a plastic mag? Is it for weight purposes?

[Nox]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Plastic mags? Now I'm interested in this because I've never seen one and, quite frankly, I'd be leery to use one. What reason do you see for using a plastic mag? Is it for weight purposes?

Really? We run P-mags in our M4 carbines all day long. Also in our Glocks. You sure you have never seen one? Lots of P Mags down range.

[DJ_Critterus]

Originally Posted by Nox

Really? We run P-mags in our M4 carbines all day long. Also in our Glocks. You sure you have never seen one? Lots of P Mags down range.

We only had metal mags for ours and I've never shot a Glock, though.

[RedLS1GTO]

Originally Posted by Nox

Really? We run P-mags in our M4 carbines all day long.

[Nox]

Originally Posted by RedLS1GTO

Marines actually have two NSN numbers for PMags (restricted to USCMC). Also lots of COTS purchases for units, individuals.

[NEVRL8T]

At the end of every hunting season and they stay sealed in egg-crate, hard cover carriers continuously.

[BADRACR1]

Every time I take it to the range. If they sit more than a few months (haven't so far) I'd at least wipe 'em down occasionally.

[Rotorhead]

Originally Posted by Nox

Marines actually have two NSN numbers for PMags (restricted to USCMC). Also lots of COTS purchases for units, individuals.

I have a friend who works for a company that supplies aircraft flying Marines to the ME. He tellls me Marines are buying H&K mags for combat. I have a few of them that were left behind.

[Torqaholic]

Originally Posted by DJ_Critterus

Plastic mags? Now I'm interested in this because I've never seen one and, quite frankly, I'd be leery to use one. What reason do you see for using a plastic mag? Is it for weight purposes?

I only use steel 20-30 round mags because weight isn't a factor for me. The plastic mags I own are because that's the only way they were manufactured. If I could have got them in metal I probably would have.

Beta C-Mag are plastic. They may be making them in metal now but werent when I bought mine.


These Glock 45 caliber 30 rounders are plastic -


It's good strong plastic. I don't worry about using them the same as steel mags but when talking 10 years of constant pressure that's where I think there may be some reason for concern.