Rounds in a magazine

[cluznar]

How long do you leave your carry ammo rounds in the magazine before taking them out?

If you carry a spare mag with rounds when you carry, how long before you empty both mags of rounds?

Do you leave rounds in a magazine 3 days, a week, or how long?

:dirol:

 

[Treo]

It depends on what you are asking. if you want to know how long I keep my defensive rounds I shoot them up and buy new once a year.

If you want to know how long I leave a magazine loaded, until I shoot the rounds in it

 

[CharlesMorrison]

I leave my mags loaded as long as I want.

 

[eagleeyes]

my mags stay loaded until i fire them at the range .....almost went today after the gun show but it was crowded and just went home but i bought two gun belts and some hornady rounds for edc but will fire some off at the range see how they cycle as up till now i just used fmj's

 

[tango6]

I carry an LC9 with extra mag. I take the rounds out of the mags over the weekend, wipe each one , and then reload. Just my thang.

 

[rj53081]

I leave my rounds in 2 weeks then switch out. I replace ammo every 2 years

 

[maine04619]

Depends on the mag. Good quality mags can be loaded for years. Cheap mags can have the spring loose tension in a month.

 

[cluznar]

I also leave mine loaded for 2 weeks then empty them and switch the ammo to two other mags.

 

[wolf_fire]

My defensive rounds stay in my magazines. I shoot them occasionally, but due to cost I shoot FMJ's mostly for practice. However, my mags are always loaded and I don't take them out to alleviate tension on the spring or anything like that. I know when my springs need to be replaced because I practice often. I also, keep extra springs on hand so when I am at the range and notice a magazine needs some attention, I can take care of it immediately. Springs don't cost much, keep some on hand for when you need them.

 

[trophyhunter]

I leave my Mags loaded for a week, at which point I empty each mag and clean them.

I remove any, and all dust,durt. I then Re- Lubricate them, and Load them back up.

 

[SGB]

Springs fatigue from the compression release cycle, so those of you constantly loading and unloading your mags are causing accelerated wear to your springs. Magazines should never be lubed.

As to the OP's question my mags stay loaded until the ammunition is shot, which is once a year for my carry ammo.

 

[fnsmoak]

Modern springs are NOT adversely affected by intended load. HOWEVER, repetitive use IS the wearing/fatiguing factor.

FACT: Thousands of WWII magazines have been found in the South Pacific Isles under full load w/ no discernible degradation of spring power. Simply sitting under load all these years has made NO difference in function. What does degrade any metal spring: Fatigue (use), Hyper-extension (physically "re-shaping" by over extending either way), and molecular de-tensification (property change by heat or cold).

Heat: must be hot enough for the temper to change on a molecular level: ie, FIRE
Fatigue: the more you wear it, the more you wear it. IE; If you bend that paperclip back & forth a few dozen times you can burn your finger, and eventually have two pieces of paperclip.
Hyper-extension: Stretching the spring thinking it will make it stronger or longer, or compressing it to the point that it becomes shorter, or worthless for intended lift. Yep, you should've just gone to wolffsprings.com

Embarrassing fact: Many Sheriff Deputies rode around w/ 1911s loaded w/ only THREE rnds in their 7rnd mags because they had been told by their DO that they didn't want to "wear out" the spring prematurely. My 1st formal firearm trainer had retired from THIRTY-FIVE YEARS of this non-sense.

My background: DOD Shipfitter Journeyman 5

GUNSMOAK.com

 

[tcox4freedom]

What month is it? :smile:

I only change my SD ammo for two reasons.

1. To load practice ammo
2. To test how it cycles (shoot it)

 

[Treo]

FACT: Thousands of WWII magazines have been found in the South Pacific Isles under full load w/ no discernible degradation of spring power. Simply sitting under load all these years has made NO difference in function.

I'd be kind of interested to see how rusted out they were after sitting in that ocean air for that long

 

[cluznar]

So if you have good manufacturer made mags then you never need to reload them for carry? Just load them and use them forever?

:dirol:

 

[tcox4freedom]

So if you have good manufacturer made mags then you never need to reload them for carry? Just load them and use them forever?

:dirol:

I wouldn't go so far as to say "forever". But, I think you're just as likely to have issues with ammo as you are magazines.

• Ammo does need to be shot or disposed of ever so often.
• Magazine and/or mag components need to be replaced ever so often.

But, you can do more damage to "BOTH" by emptying & recharging the magazine than just charging the mag & letting it sit.

For instance:

​

• Working the springs are what weakens them.
• Mag tubes get damaged sometimes when dropped or misused.
• Followers can also wear out & become damaged

Mag springs become weaker the more they are "actively" used because they are designed to spend long periods of time either in "tension" or relaxed.

Every time you handle ammo oils are transferred from your body to the shell case & primer area. These oils are corrosive and have a detrimental effect on the primer & case. The more you handle your ammo, the more oil is transferred. Thus, expediting the damage.

In addition, cycling rounds in the chamber over & over can lead to bullet setback. Which if left undiscovered can lead to a dangerous "over-pressurization".

IMHO;
You need to charge your mags & just leave them alone unless you are changing ammo for some reason.

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