Spring Fatigue? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Cronus · 02-07-2005, 12:24 PM

Hi everyone! I am a new XD owner (XD-40 Tactical OD) and new to this forum as well. I have already learned a great deal from searching this site for the past couple months and would like to thank everyone for providing great information and entertainment!!

I do have one question, however. I live in North Dakota and have few opportunities to shoot in the winter. How long can I leave my magazine loaded for home defense, without fatiguing the magazine spring? I will certainly appreciate any information, opinions, and recommendations.

Thank You

sturmruger · 02-07-2005, 04:33 PM

From everything I have read leaving ammo in the mag will not stress the springs as much is emptying it repeatedly. I am no metalurgist so I could be wrong.

**hobocircus** · 02-07-2005, 05:47 PM

If you have several magazines, you can rotate them out. Mark them 1, 2, 3,.... and switch them from loaded to unloaded on a regular basis. Not every week, but when you remember to do it.
The best way to know your mag springs are bad is when you start having problems with them. Hopefully it will be at the range and not in a critical moment

Modern Guns and Ammo are very well made these days. Everything should last a long, long time if you do your part.

Good luck, shoot safe.

Snake-eater 1 · 02-07-2005, 06:00 PM

There are instances of 1911 magazines that were loaded since the 40's were inserted into a pistol and fired with no problem. A tribute to both the magazines and the ammo (and proper storage). As stated, springs "wear out" from the compression/decompression cycle. Magazines will take a "set" if stored compressed, but will not "wear out".
IMHO, don't worry about it.

02-07-2005, 12:24 PM	#1
Cronus XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1	Spring Fatigue? Hi everyone! I am a new XD owner (XD-40 Tactical OD) and new to this forum as well. I have already learned a great deal from searching this site for the past couple months and would like to thank everyone for providing great information and entertainment!! I do have one question, however. I live in North Dakota and have few opportunities to shoot in the winter. How long can I leave my magazine loaded for home defense, without fatiguing the magazine spring? I will certainly appreciate any information, opinions, and recommendations. Thank You

02-07-2005, 05:47 PM	#3
hobocircus XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: The Nevada Desert on a Dry Lakebed. Living in a trailer with thunderstorms looming in the distance. Posts: 3,334	If you have several magazines, you can rotate them out. Mark them 1, 2, 3,.... and switch them from loaded to unloaded on a regular basis. Not every week, but when you remember to do it. The best way to know your mag springs are bad is when you start having problems with them. Hopefully it will be at the range and not in a critical moment Modern Guns and Ammo are very well made these days. Everything should last a long, long time if you do your part. Good luck, shoot safe. __________________ Ported V-10 XD9 Service SOLD Tactical XD9 in Basic Black I like to shoot Wolf ammo out of my Hi-Point pistol and rifle.

02-07-2005, 06:00 PM	#4
Snake-eater 1 XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Quinque, VA Posts: 2,653	There are instances of 1911 magazines that were loaded since the 40's were inserted into a pistol and fired with no problem. A tribute to both the magazines and the ammo (and proper storage). As stated, springs "wear out" from the compression/decompression cycle. Magazines will take a "set" if stored compressed, but will not "wear out". IMHO, don't worry about it. __________________ ----------------------------------------------- "Too soon, old. Too late, smart" anon

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02-07-2005, 04:33 PM	#2
sturmruger XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: River Falls, WI Posts: 665	From everything I have read leaving ammo in the mag will not stress the springs as much is emptying it repeatedly. I am no metalurgist so I could be wrong.