Does leaving mags loaded for along time hurt the mag? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

too_wacko · 04-01-2006, 10:30 AM

If I leave my mags loaded at all times does it hurt the mag. All the bullets are putting a constant load on the spring. Any info on this?

chud · 04-01-2006, 11:10 AM

Common consensus seems to be that a spring is weakened not by compression, but by the cycle of compressed-relaxed.
I would be interested to see a failure rate test, like how many loading cycles it takes to get to a failure.

TomSwift · 04-01-2006, 03:49 PM

No.

XD45ACP4ME · 04-01-2006, 05:50 PM

You will not live long enough to find out, seriously, there have
been mags found that were loaded in WWII and still functioned
fine. I always down load by one round as to not over compress
the springs for long term storage but that is just me.

kennyg · 04-02-2006, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XD45ACP4ME

You will not live long enough to find out, seriously, there have
been mags found that were loaded in WWII and still functioned
fine. I always down load by one round as to not over compress
the springs for long term storage but that is just me.

I do the same, it seems to have logic to it.

Exmasonite · 04-02-2006, 01:50 PM

i have 2 mags for my .40 and 4 for my 9 mm SC (2 reg, 2 hi cap)

I have them labeled with sharpie and usually rotate them. So, i usually have half of them fully loaded and the others empty... i tend to switch every time i go to the range with that gun. a

probably completely unnecessary but who knows. I tend to HARDLY ever break down and fully clean the mags... i find that to be really stressful on the springs, probably b/c i'm not really good at it.

faawrenchbndr · 04-02-2006, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XD45ACP4ME

I always down load by one round as to not over compress the springs for long term storage but that is just me.

+1

beakersloco · 04-02-2006, 05:41 PM

Springs are can be replaced ..... better to have mags loaded and ready then to need mags and not have enough ready !

ksxdguy · 04-06-2006, 08:27 PM

This is something I've always worried about too, so for carry, I would keep four mags on a rotating basis (double what you would carry on you). That way I have one in the gun and one in a carrier, both loaded fully up. Then I would rotate them every six months. This was suggested by Massad Ayoob in an article many years ago and I thought it made a lot of sense. I would shoot these mags occasionally to make sure everything is as it should be, but generally keep them separate from range mags. Then it's no worries.

**Frenchy** · 04-06-2006, 10:37 PM

My mags have been in a constant state of compression for over 5 years, and have shown no ill effects.

04-01-2006, 10:30 AM	#1
too_wacko XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 23	Does leaving mags loaded for along time hurt the mag? If I leave my mags loaded at all times does it hurt the mag. All the bullets are putting a constant load on the spring. Any info on this?

04-01-2006, 03:49 PM	#3
TomSwift XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Nashville TN Posts: 1,133	No. __________________ Don't handicap your children by making their lives easy. Get Your Free Targets Here Ultrasonic Gun Cleaning

04-01-2006, 05:50 PM	#4
XD45ACP4ME XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: OHIO Posts: 15	You will not live long enough to find out, seriously, there have been mags found that were loaded in WWII and still functioned fine. I always down load by one round as to not over compress the springs for long term storage but that is just me. __________________ XD 9mm 4 inch w/Dura Coated Slide RRA Tactical AR-15 223 16 inch Mossberg 835 12 ga 24 inch slug barrel

04-02-2006, 05:41 PM	#8
beakersloco XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Greenville NC Posts: 1,024	Springs are can be replaced ..... better to have mags loaded and ready then to need mags and not have enough ready ! __________________ \"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

04-06-2006, 10:37 PM	#10
Frenchy XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 14,284	My mags have been in a constant state of compression for over 5 years, and have shown no ill effects. __________________ ~SC Harvey~ "The Republicans know we have a constitution, and they dismiss it with contempt and arrogance ... The Democrats simply never heard of it ..."--Livyjr-2008

04-01-2006, 11:10 AM	#2
chud XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5	Common consensus seems to be that a spring is weakened not by compression, but by the cycle of compressed-relaxed. I would be interested to see a failure rate test, like how many loading cycles it takes to get to a failure.

04-02-2006, 01:50 PM	#6
Exmasonite XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 812	i have 2 mags for my .40 and 4 for my 9 mm SC (2 reg, 2 hi cap) I have them labeled with sharpie and usually rotate them. So, i usually have half of them fully loaded and the others empty... i tend to switch every time i go to the range with that gun. a probably completely unnecessary but who knows. I tend to HARDLY ever break down and fully clean the mags... i find that to be really stressful on the springs, probably b/c i'm not really good at it.

04-06-2006, 08:27 PM	#9
ksxdguy XDTalk Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 69	This is something I've always worried about too, so for carry, I would keep four mags on a rotating basis (double what you would carry on you). That way I have one in the gun and one in a carrier, both loaded fully up. Then I would rotate them every six months. This was suggested by Massad Ayoob in an article many years ago and I thought it made a lot of sense. I would shoot these mags occasionally to make sure everything is as it should be, but generally keep them separate from range mags. Then it's no worries.

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