Magazine spring compression

RockB · 11-18-2007, 07:30 PM

This may have been asked before. If so, I apologize please point me to the thread(s).

How long will you leave a magazine you have for HD loaded before unloading it and replacing it with a different one? Then how long will you leave it unloaded before using it again?

Mooseman684 · 11-18-2007, 07:44 PM

You can leave Mags loaded for 20 -30 years...If the springs are high quality, they don't wear out from being compressed , they weaken from use, compressing and decompressing...
Rich

lefty o · 11-19-2007, 02:29 PM

magazines with good quality springs can be left loaded indefinately.

GlockMeister · 01-27-2008, 12:20 AM

Might I ask, are the magazine springs that come with the gun good enough or as moose put it, of a high enough quality to be able to keep a mag loaded for long periods of time with out fear of load failure down the road? Same question for some of the after market magazines available? Should all magazine springs be replaced with better or higher quality spring before doing this?

If a mag spring needs to be replaced, what brand of magazine spring does anyone suggest or recommend?

Are the mag springs that come in Berettas,Glocks, and S&Ws magazines good enough to be able to load and leave loaded for long periods of time? What about most of the after market mags for same and even the ARs?

Not that I have or did, but,I did not try or intend to hi-jack the post,thread or topic. I didn't want to post a topic up of the same subject when I could ask it here. I saw no sense in wasting server space.

Also, I've heard it is best to leave one less in a mags capacity? That they tend to work better or feed better. Example, in an AR mag that holds 30, only load 29, one that holds 20 only load 19. Or a Glock mag that holds 17 or 15, only load 16 or 14. Is this true? I forget where I heard it. I want to say it was on Shooting USA or somewhere?

G-Meister

Mooseman684 · 01-27-2008, 01:11 AM

Most Magazine springs are pretty good Quality, especially Factory and Military Mags...They HAVE to work. Cheap replacement type mags usually have poorer quality springs I have found.On some mags it does pay to leave out 1-2 rounds due to some mags lock up when fully loaded, maybe due to the follower being too long and bottoming out.
As far as replacement springs, I usually buy from Brownells, as they check the Quality of their products. Chrome Silicon springs seem to be top notch if you can get them. Mil-surp replacements for the AR mags are also a great choice. I look at the spring wire diameter and how much tension it has, after a while you get a feel for the way a good spring feels strong and a cheap spring feels wimpy!
Rich

Big Dog · 01-27-2008, 05:43 AM

Wilson, MecGar and most factory mags are excellent quality, and can be left loaded. I wouldn't do so with 'no name' mags, or 'USA Magazines' products.

GlockMeister · 01-27-2008, 12:07 PM

Thanks guys, I truly appreciate the feedback.

G-Meister

lefty o · 01-27-2008, 12:27 PM

the #1 name in springs is wolfe, available from brownells and other sources.

11-18-2007, 07:44 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,252 Trader Rating: (0)	You can leave Mags loaded for 20 -30 years...If the springs are high quality, they don't wear out from being compressed , they weaken from use, compressing and decompressing... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-27-2008, 12:20 AM	#4
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 4,923 Trader Rating: (0)	Might I ask, are the magazine springs that come with the gun good enough or as moose put it, of a high enough quality to be able to keep a mag loaded for long periods of time with out fear of load failure down the road? Same question for some of the after market magazines available? Should all magazine springs be replaced with better or higher quality spring before doing this? If a mag spring needs to be replaced, what brand of magazine spring does anyone suggest or recommend? Are the mag springs that come in Berettas,Glocks, and S&Ws magazines good enough to be able to load and leave loaded for long periods of time? What about most of the after market mags for same and even the ARs? Not that I have or did, but,I did not try or intend to hi-jack the post,thread or topic. I didn't want to post a topic up of the same subject when I could ask it here. I saw no sense in wasting server space. Also, I've heard it is best to leave one less in a mags capacity? That they tend to work better or feed better. Example, in an AR mag that holds 30, only load 29, one that holds 20 only load 19. Or a Glock mag that holds 17 or 15, only load 16 or 14. Is this true? I forget where I heard it. I want to say it was on Shooting USA or somewhere? G-Meister __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6! Last edited by GlockMeister; 01-27-2008 at 12:27 AM.

01-27-2008, 01:11 AM	#5
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,252 Trader Rating: (0)	Most Magazine springs are pretty good Quality, especially Factory and Military Mags...They HAVE to work. Cheap replacement type mags usually have poorer quality springs I have found.On some mags it does pay to leave out 1-2 rounds due to some mags lock up when fully loaded, maybe due to the follower being too long and bottoming out. As far as replacement springs, I usually buy from Brownells, as they check the Quality of their products. Chrome Silicon springs seem to be top notch if you can get them. Mil-surp replacements for the AR mags are also a great choice. I look at the spring wire diameter and how much tension it has, after a while you get a feel for the way a good spring feels strong and a cheap spring feels wimpy! Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

01-27-2008, 05:43 AM	#6
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,063 Trader Rating: (0)	Wilson, MecGar and most factory mags are excellent quality, and can be left loaded. I wouldn't do so with 'no name' mags, or 'USA Magazines' products. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

01-27-2008, 12:07 PM	#7
GlockMeister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 4,923 Trader Rating: (0)	Thanks guys, I truly appreciate the feedback. G-Meister __________________ I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by 6!

11-18-2007, 07:30 PM	#1
RockB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 191 Trader Rating: (0)	Magazine spring compression This may have been asked before. If so, I apologize please point me to the thread(s). How long will you leave a magazine you have for HD loaded before unloading it and replacing it with a different one? Then how long will you leave it unloaded before using it again?

11-19-2007, 02:29 PM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,691 Trader Rating: (0)	magazines with good quality springs can be left loaded indefinately.

01-27-2008, 12:27 PM	#8
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,691 Trader Rating: (0)	the #1 name in springs is wolfe, available from brownells and other sources.