t3mac21 1 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I've heard it both ways for AR's and AK's. Today I went shooting and shot both my AR and AK, when I got home, I loaded some mags back up and stuck them in the safe. Then I got to thinking, how long can you really leave them loaded? I don't have all my mags loaded but, I have a bunch loaded because WTF good are empty mags? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stankfinger76 3 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 I know with pistol magazines, I switch out between several different 17rd mags with my Glock that I leave loaded in my home. I have read that if you leave your mag fully loaded for long periods of time, it can damage or ruin the effectiveness of the spring. I would imagine the same applies for AK and AR mags Don't quote me on it though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t3mac21 1 Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 that's what I would think too, I mean, I shoot pretty often so I doubt the loaded mags would stay loaded more than a month at most. I also have read that it's cyclic wear that damages springs, like constant loading and unloading, so that theory maintains that keeping the spring compressed doesn't wear it out. That's pretty much the opposite of what I would think though. I'm no engineer though lol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zenman223 460 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 The springs should be good almost indeffiantly. I believe the springs are tempered? which means they can be compressed for an extended amount of time and will go back to their original shape. You should theorectically be able to leave your mags loaded for years, as long as they're stored properly. Loading and unloading mags is the only thing that will wear out the spring. Of course there are cheap mags with cheap springs which probably dont hold up well to being stored loaded. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
t3mac21 1 Posted March 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 (edited) Alright, so if they're good for multiple years then a month or two wont matter. Thanks. Edit - surplus mags from various combloc countries Edited March 8, 2011 by t3mac21 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Snoofer 138 Posted March 8, 2011 Report Share Posted March 8, 2011 i keep every mag for every gun loaded all the time. mostly to save room in the safe. but like you said, wtf good are empty mags Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dad2142Dad 6,559 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 All the mags and drums loaded all of the time. the spring will not be damaged by being compressed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mullet Man 2,114 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 http://www.ballistics101.com/mag_spring_experiment.php Just throwing that out there to read. I keep mine loaded and have no worries about it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChileRelleno 7,071 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I keep mags loaded all the time, I don't bother to actively rotate the oldest out for range use and I'm not the least bit worried about it. A fully loaded mag's spring is not solidly compressed, as was the spring in the test linked above. It is going to show even less compression and hence be even closer to that of the cycled spring. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobAsh 582 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I have read that if you leave your mag fully loaded for long periods of time, it can damage or ruin the effectiveness of the spring. This is incorrect. As a mechanical engineer, I can assure you that leaving a spring in full compression will not damage it. As mentioned above, it is cycling that wears out springs. Load them up! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
imarangemaster 315 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Actually there have been several tests run and what makes the springs loose tension is compress and release. Static compression doe not make them loose tension. My Glock mags may be loaded for a year at a time, as may my CZ82 9x18. I have 30 round GI M1 Carbine mags that had been loaded for several years, and they worked perfectly. AK Mags are so over engineered, I seriously doubt if they will ever weaken significantly. I once cut an AK mag spring in half, and it still worked in an 30 round AK magazine. Magazine spring wearing out is the last thing you need to worry about. One of the black gun guru's like Fortier (maybe not him, but one of them) said "If you want to go broke, open an AK magazine repair shop!" Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BobAsh 582 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I've heard the argument that it can spread the feed lips, but that seems a bit far-fetched. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
wulf 4 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I keep mags loaded all the time, I don't bother to actively rotate the oldest out for range use and I'm not the least bit worried about it. A fully loaded mag's spring is not solidly compressed, as was the spring in the test linked above. It is going to show even less compression and hence be even closer to that of the cycled spring. This, any good manufacture of magazines will not design the mag so that the spring will be compressed to the point where it will cause wear. So yes you can leave your mags loaded, just fire em off every now and again because indentations or deformities in the shape of the cartridge can occur. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobRez 1,895 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I keep mine fully loaded all the time. I must add that I do unload them every week or two at the range! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Scatillac 22 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Keep it hot! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigtwin 219 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 Loaded ready to go, that is how it IS! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marc 147 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I like 'em loaded just fine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrThunder88 912 Posted March 9, 2011 Report Share Posted March 9, 2011 I've heard the argument that it can spread the feed lips, but that seems a bit far-fetched. I'd be warier of the possibility of this effect's existence in polymer and thin aluminum magazines, but not magazines that could be used to drive tent pegs. On the other hand I have a few steel Galil mags with loose lips. I don't know if this is from the power of the spring or if the previous owner was just using them to open beer bottles, but I guess it is a possibility. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
barbwire00 0 Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 Ive heard keepin a 30 rd mag with 20-25 rds in it is completly ok. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chevyman097 2,579 Posted March 10, 2011 Report Share Posted March 10, 2011 ah this old rumor again. Just like the ol steel case ammo will dmg your rifle rumor. Leaving mags loaded will not harm them at all. Compressing a spring does not wear it. Constant compressing and decompressing is what wears the spring. you are good to leave mags loaded as long as you want. An unloaded mag is useless, unless you plan on using it as a hammer. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
danklab 57 Posted March 20, 2011 Report Share Posted March 20, 2011 Still on topic but a little off. Anybody ever run into issues with their loaded aluminum AR mags? I've always heard stories of the feed lips on those deforming due to spring pressure when loaded for long periods of time. I've never experienced it on any of mine however.. but never had one stored loaded for more than a year. I can see this being an issue with those.. They do feel flimsy as shit. I've tried to transition over to magpuls, but those still have some flex in the feed lips. But, knock on wood, I've never had a mag related AR-15 malfunction to date. Springs... as stated.. repeated compression/depression wears them out. My AK mags.. stay loaded without any worries whatsoever. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tarheel72 16 Posted March 21, 2011 Report Share Posted March 21, 2011 An empty mag is useless. Keep them full at all times, you will never regret it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
VladTepes 160 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 i keep every mag for every gun loaded all the time. mostly to save room in the safe. but like you said, wtf good are empty mags I do the same.. no issues.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cpg 0 Posted March 22, 2011 Report Share Posted March 22, 2011 As already stated, keeping magazines loaded will not damage or wear out the springs. Load 'em up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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