How often should you remove ammo from a pistol magazine in order to prevent magazine damage?
August 21st, 2010 | by magazines |
poi4066 asked:
I am referring to my self-defense weapon. I like to have ammo ready for when I use it. At the same time, I know storing ammo in the magazine too long can cause problems with the spring. I was just wondering what some people do to prevent this. Maybe someone from law enforcement can provide information/advice.
monkey magazine
I am referring to my self-defense weapon. I like to have ammo ready for when I use it. At the same time, I know storing ammo in the magazine too long can cause problems with the spring. I was just wondering what some people do to prevent this. Maybe someone from law enforcement can provide information/advice.
monkey magazine
12 Responses to “How often should you remove ammo from a pistol magazine in order to prevent magazine damage?”
By T Jay on Aug 24, 2010 | Reply
adventure magazine
ammo in the mag is ok, the round in the chamber is not. I’d say change that round out every week.
By Elton on Aug 27, 2010 | Reply
gps magazine
It should last nearly forever, but if you’re concerned, have two magizines. One that is empty and one loaded. Every 6 months or so change them out. The spring tension should not change even if you leave your rounds in it.
By rememberthecole on Aug 29, 2010 | Reply
house magazine
I rotate my ammo every six months. I shoot off the old ammo and replace it with new. As I do it, I can see how the magazines are in regards to feeding correctly. If they have no problem, I figure they are good for another six months. If however one of them seems to have a feed problem, usually on the last 1-4 rounds, I would figure the spring is getting weak and then i would get a new magazine. Most of the time the magazine gets damaged from the drops to the ground when I do combat reloads. I have never had one go bad just sitting around with ammo in it.
By MystiK Whyspers on Aug 29, 2010 | Reply
gameday magazine
This is a simple issue.
If your magazine has a capacity of 12, don’t go beyond 2/3rds full capacity and you won’t put excess strain on the spring. I usually go with 8 plus the one in the chamber.
Then just carry extra mags (I carry two extras plus the one in my piece). If I ever have to reach for that third magazine, I’m hoping it’ll get me the hell out of Dodge or the last round is for me.
I have never had issues with loss of spring tension and I’ve had these firearms for 10-15 years and target practice pretty regularly too.
By krollohare2 on Sep 2, 2010 | Reply
d magazine
Unless you’re relying on this weapon for self-defense every day, you can remove the rounds and store them.
Keep ammo out of the chamber when the gun’s not in use to prevent corrosion and also, for safety reasons. Because you don’t want to think its unloaded and shoot it.
Finally, always treat your firearms as loaded, even if you think they aren’t. You never know for certain. Check the chamber regularly.
If its a well made gun, the magazine should be high quality and so the spring should last a long time without retensioning.
By Mark on Sep 4, 2010 | Reply
nation magazine
The springs used in current production magazines from reputable manufactures don’t suffer from “compression” problems.
That problem was common in the past because they used a different type of steel to make the springs.
You can now leave modern magazines fully loaded for a very long time without worrying about them “taking a set”.
If you are still concerned with this happening, then simply rotate your magazines every 6 months or so and you’ll still be fine.
Good luck and good shooting -
By Max S on Sep 5, 2010 | Reply
simple magazine
Mystic is 100% correct. I carry a SW 9mm with a 10 round mag. I carry 8 rounds and only chamber when I am on duty.
By dca2003311@yahoo.com on Sep 6, 2010 | Reply
design magazine
Its not necessary to do so.*
By M. Bison on Sep 6, 2010 | Reply
ak 47 magazines
storing the mags loaded isnt what puts wear on the spring, its when its being loaded and unloaded alot is when it gets damaged
By Donald S on Sep 7, 2010 | Reply
magazine racks
Take it out once a month and let it “rest” for 12 hours.
By DJ on Sep 7, 2010 | Reply
golf magazines
Well, you should be regularly shooting your self-defense pistol to keep you in practice with the firearm and also to make sure that your gun and ammo are working flawlessly.
I try to shoot my self defense guns monthly, and would consider every three months or so the minimum length of time between practice sessions.
Modern gun magazine springs should not be damaged by long term storage. I have personally fired a WWII 1911 that had been loaded and stored in a safe for at least 25 years by the vet that owned it and it functioned flawlessly.
By CIH(Ret) on Sep 10, 2010 | Reply
layers magazine
Magazines of recent manufacture are not supposed to weaken from keeping ammo stored in them. Or so the manufacturers say. I do not trust my life to a magazine in which the ammo has been stored for an extended time. What I do is to have several magazines and rotate them or a regular basis. My schedule is to empty and rest a magazine every week. I never leave a magazine loaded for more than a week at a time. The rest time fro each magazine will depend on how many magazines you have and how many you want to keep loaded at a time. I like to rest my magazines at least two weeks between loadings. I am not saying that this is necessary, it may not be, but when I am betting my life on my equipment operating when it is supposed to, I don’t feel at all bad about giving my magazines a rest. I know if I need to resort to using my gun to protect my life or the life of another person, it will work.