ElectricZombie
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Does anyone know if it's ok to leave 15-22 magazines loaded for long periods of time?
Thanks!
Johnathan
Thanks!
Johnathan
Leaving 15-22 magazines loaded?
- Thread starter ElectricZombie
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Tbat
Member
I have a few that I have kept loaded for extended periods between outings and have not had any problems with spring set. They are just like other magazines, it would seem that you would get more wear from repeatedly loading and unloading rather than leaving them set loaded. Lots of opinions out there both ways depending on who you talk to, but I have not seen any issues with mine so far.
Scuds03
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I cannot count how many different things, including non-firearms, that I have owned with springs in them that I have stored with the sprigs compressed. I have yet to see one spring go bad or get weaker because of this..As far as the guns go, all my firing pins still hit hard and all my mags are super tight and some of my guns date back to the 50's. I hear about it alot from people, who have heard about it alot from OTHER people, but have yet to find someone first hand who has had something go bad because they left a spring compressed. Until I experience it, its an urban legend haha.
Justin251
Member
Yeah, I agree.
The only reason I unload mine is because I may was the bullets for one of my other 22s. lol
However, with the gun I keep in my vehicle (hipoint 45) I only put 5 rounds in it and it holds 9. Mainly because it's already heavy and I shouldn't need all 9 bullets anyway.
The only reason I unload mine is because I may was the bullets for one of my other 22s. lol
However, with the gun I keep in my vehicle (hipoint 45) I only put 5 rounds in it and it holds 9. Mainly because it's already heavy and I shouldn't need all 9 bullets anyway.
ChattanoogaPhil
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MouSe-05
US Veteran
The CATM guys drill into our heads at Basic that keeping a spring compressed for extended periods of time is bad for it. Since I trust that the Military knows more about firearms than I do, I do what they tell me. I don't keep mags loaded, and I rack safe all my weapons.
enfield
US Veteran
Follow the manufacturer's recommendation - or don't.
Scuds03
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I guess the proofs in the pudding haha
lonejacklarry
US Veteran
I'm not sure what C-Phil meant but, I think, he meant that the springs lose "spring" when they are used--a lot.
I had a Remington 870 w/ a 7 round adapter that was fully loaded for about 6 years (a long story) but it worked fine as did the Winchester #4 buck.
I've always been told that springs wear out from dynamic use (extension and compression) rather than static positions.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Here is what Wolff has to say about springs inther Q&A section.
.
4. How often should I change my springs?
The performance of your gun is the best indicator of when a spring needs to be replaced. Factors such as increased ejection distance, improper ejection and/or breeching, lighter hammer indents on primers, misfires, poor cartridge feeding from magazines, frequent jams, stove pipes and other malfunctions are all possible indications of fatigued springs or improper springs.
Springs such as magazine springs, striker springs and recoil springs are subjected to higher stress levels and will require more frequent replacement than other lower stressed springs such as firing pin springs and hammer springs.
Wolff springs are made with the highest grade materials and workmanship. Most Wolff [recoil] springs will remain stable for many thousands of rounds. Some recoil springs in compact pistols, especially where dual springs are used or are replaced by a single spring may require changing after 500 - 1500 rounds. Springs that become rusty, bent or otherwise damaged should always be replaced. Again, changes you observe in your firearm's performance are the best indicators that a change is needed.
5. How often should I change magazine spring? Should I unload my magazines, rotate magazines, load with fewer than the maximum rounds?
Magazine springs in semi-auto pistols are one of the most critical springs and are the subject of much debate and concern. Magazines which are kept fully loaded for long periods of time, such as in law enforcement and personal/home defense applications, will generally be subject to more fatigue than the weekend shooter's magazine springs in which the magazines are loaded up only when shooting.
Magazine design and capacity also affect the longevity of the spring. In many older pistol designs, maximum capacity was not the always the goal such as with the 7 round 1911 Colt magazines will last for years fully loaded. There was room for more spring material in these guns which reduces overall stress and increases the usable life of the spring.
More recently higher capacity magazine have become popular. These are designed to hold more rounds with less spring material often in the same space. This puts more stress on the spring and will cause it to fatigue at a faster rate. Unloading these magazines a round or two will help the life of the spring. Rotating fully loaded magazines will also help the problem somewhat but it is not always practical.
In applications where the magazine must be kept loaded at all times, a high quality magazine spring such as Wolff extra power magazine springs, will provide maximum life. Regular replacement of magazine springs will provide the best defense against failure from weak magazine springs. Regular shooting of the pistol is the best way to be sure the springs are still functioning reliably.
6. My spring got shorter after I used it for a short time. Is it bad?
Most new springs will take a set when they are first compressed. That means they will shorten up. This is a normal event and you should not be immediately alarmed. The greater the stress on the spring, generally the more set that will occur. All Wolff springs take this set into consideration. The ratings of the springs you receive are the ratings after the set has occurred. After set has taken place, the spring should remain essentially stable for the life of the spring.
.
4. How often should I change my springs?
The performance of your gun is the best indicator of when a spring needs to be replaced. Factors such as increased ejection distance, improper ejection and/or breeching, lighter hammer indents on primers, misfires, poor cartridge feeding from magazines, frequent jams, stove pipes and other malfunctions are all possible indications of fatigued springs or improper springs.
Springs such as magazine springs, striker springs and recoil springs are subjected to higher stress levels and will require more frequent replacement than other lower stressed springs such as firing pin springs and hammer springs.
Wolff springs are made with the highest grade materials and workmanship. Most Wolff [recoil] springs will remain stable for many thousands of rounds. Some recoil springs in compact pistols, especially where dual springs are used or are replaced by a single spring may require changing after 500 - 1500 rounds. Springs that become rusty, bent or otherwise damaged should always be replaced. Again, changes you observe in your firearm's performance are the best indicators that a change is needed.
5. How often should I change magazine spring? Should I unload my magazines, rotate magazines, load with fewer than the maximum rounds?
Magazine springs in semi-auto pistols are one of the most critical springs and are the subject of much debate and concern. Magazines which are kept fully loaded for long periods of time, such as in law enforcement and personal/home defense applications, will generally be subject to more fatigue than the weekend shooter's magazine springs in which the magazines are loaded up only when shooting.
Magazine design and capacity also affect the longevity of the spring. In many older pistol designs, maximum capacity was not the always the goal such as with the 7 round 1911 Colt magazines will last for years fully loaded. There was room for more spring material in these guns which reduces overall stress and increases the usable life of the spring.
More recently higher capacity magazine have become popular. These are designed to hold more rounds with less spring material often in the same space. This puts more stress on the spring and will cause it to fatigue at a faster rate. Unloading these magazines a round or two will help the life of the spring. Rotating fully loaded magazines will also help the problem somewhat but it is not always practical.
In applications where the magazine must be kept loaded at all times, a high quality magazine spring such as Wolff extra power magazine springs, will provide maximum life. Regular replacement of magazine springs will provide the best defense against failure from weak magazine springs. Regular shooting of the pistol is the best way to be sure the springs are still functioning reliably.
6. My spring got shorter after I used it for a short time. Is it bad?
Most new springs will take a set when they are first compressed. That means they will shorten up. This is a normal event and you should not be immediately alarmed. The greater the stress on the spring, generally the more set that will occur. All Wolff springs take this set into consideration. The ratings of the springs you receive are the ratings after the set has occurred. After set has taken place, the spring should remain essentially stable for the life of the spring.
enfield
US Veteran
Nice combination of fact and fiction.
What does Wolff sell? Springs??? They sell springs and they recommend you change your springs on a regular basis? Hmmmmm . . . .what a coincidence.
What does Wolff sell? Springs??? They sell springs and they recommend you change your springs on a regular basis? Hmmmmm . . . .what a coincidence.
Last edited:
Tack Driver
Member
A little off topic, but I feel like I have to comment on this..........
Gunfights seldom go like we think they should in our heads. Load it up 9+1. Nobody has ever left a gun fight upset because they had too many rounds left over. Plenty of people have found themselves up **** creek because they didn't have enough. Lift weights if it's too heavy.
That is a spring that is constantly compressing and decompressing. Not really what we are talking about here. A spring wears by running it through it's range of travel, not by it remaining compressed or uncompressed.
Nice combination of fact and fiction.
What does Wolff sell? Springs??? They sell springs and they recommend you change your springs on a regular basis? Hmmmmm . . . .what a coincidence.
Exactly what I was thinking.
On a side note along the lines of this thread.......I have run the hell out of a few 15-22 mags. Mine have seen dirt, mud, repeated drops on concrete, and one even had an extended stay in my truck bed
o), which is a very hostile environment. They all function 100%. These puppies are tough, so feel free to use them. They aren't glass vases.
Scuds03
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Didnt know you could buy replacement mag springs for the 15-22.
Justin251
Member
A little off topic, but I feel like I have to comment on this..........
Gunfights seldom go like we think they should in our heads. Load it up 9+1. Nobody has ever left a gun fight upset because they had too many rounds left over. Plenty of people have found themselves up **** creek because they didn't have enough. Lift weights if it's too heavy.
It's not too heavy. I'm a big ole boy.
But I also don't plan on being in a gunfight if I'm in my vehicle. I'm gonna fire and then stomp the gas.
Shooting someone is a last resort for me. I'm not looking to use my weapon at all really.
ChattanoogaPhil
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Okay guys... let's stay on the general topic.... this isn't the Drive-by Shooting Forum.
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