I've long put a drop of light oil on the springs. Was just wondering if anyone had tried graphite?

Best I've found is use CRC silicone spray to clean the parts and wipe it all off. Slick and dry. Our range is sandy, and any oil attracts grit.
I shoot IDPA and USPSA, so the magazines are going on the ground.

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Science plus Art

not needed it will just attract dirt and debris.

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M&P 9, Shield9.

The springs don't need oil for lubrication. Maybe a light coat for rust depending on metal used. I do polish the inside of stainless mags and lightly lube and wipe. I make sure the follower path is nice and smooth.

Rem Oil works good on the inside of the mags, spray to clean and wipe off excess.

Never lubed mags in my life. It doesn't belong.

I use Remington dry lube. It is a Teflon spray. You have to use it lightly to avoid it catching gunk. It only takes a couple practice sprays to get the technique down. I also use it on my gun’s slide rails. Works great and last long.

After I put my mag parts through the ultrasonic cleaner, I spray a paper towel with silicone spray and pull it through the mag tube. I then use that same paper towel for the rest of the tubes that I'm cleaning that day. (I do this about every couple of months during the competition season) I also clean my mags during a match if I drop them into the dirt or sand (no silicone spray at that time).

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Minimize the variables

Wipe mine down with a dry cloth and done. Even if you wipe off the excess oil or lube it will catch dirt and sand.

I would not use graphite. you run the risk of getting it gummed up in the rest of the gun.

To clean my mags I would either run them through the ultrasonic or use a hemostat with the little foam makeup applicators clamped in it as a scrubbing tool. spray the foam or the inside of the mag housing with hornady one shot gun cleaner and scrub it out. the one shot leaves a dry lube that is not PTFE based and doesn't gum up or attract dirt. PTFE (teflon) based dry lubes work really well but I prefer not to mess with that stuff...its been coming out for a while now that teflon off-gasses some nasty stuff when heated and, while using on mags doesn't get a lot of heat , it can still find its way into the breech face and barrel from the rounds in the mag. I'm becoming a BIG fan of dry spray lubes and for guns, this one shot is some pretty cool stuff.

I disassemble my magazines when I get them, thoroughly clean the inside, spring and follower with mineral spirits and a toothbrush and dry with a old t-shirt or gun cloth. When cleaning I inspect the inside of the magazine for burrs from the witness holes, cracks and poor welding, make sure the spring is smooth and kink free and trim any flashing off of the follower if it is plastic.

As others have said oil and grease will just attract grit and gum up the works.

Mags don't need lube.

Any kind of lubrication in a magazine is not recommended. All it will do is attract dirt. Also, the lube could work its way into a round and contaminate the powder. This could lead to a misfire or a squib. Depending on the intended use of the gun, either malfunction could lead to death.

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Freedom isn't free.

I rarely lube magazines, there is generally no need and the lube is often bad for primers. I have had a couple of them with sticky spots that I lubed lightly with reloading lubricant spray and then forced the follower up and down a couple dozen times with the eraser end of a pencil to smooth out the odd rough spot. That has worked for me.

I use Remington Rem-DriLube, which leaves a dry teflon powder, and does not hold dirt or powder residue. The mags look great inside when I open them for spring changes. I clean them with Birchwood Casey Gun Scrubber and re-coat the inside with Rem-DriLube.

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Clyde Washburn
NRA Cert Inst

ok! the Teflon powder sounds good. Never has a problem with graphite attracting moisture or debris. That's why its's used extensivly in locks and precision equipment that isn't electrified, but I know there should be more modern stuff out there.

I used to use Rem Dri Lube. Don't really see it around anymore. I never used it on the inside of the mags. Just a quick spritz on the springs. Never had an issue.

Now, I clean my mags after every range outing. Disassemble, and run a patch soaked with Hoppes on the inside and outside and follower. Just a wipe of the springs with a dry paper towel. Then thoroughly dry the inside and outsides of the mags and generally leave disassembled on my bench for a day or so, wiping down inside and outsides of mags again. There is not a drop of solvent on those mags when I reassemble. Never had an issue in many years doing it this way.

Mags MAY work if they're dirty. They WILL work if they're clean. I've bought some used mags that were nasty inside. And new mags often ship with some preservative goop on them.

If you are going to use any lube on a magazine, a dry lube like Remington Dry Lube is the only lube you should use.
Anything else will attract dirt, sand, lint, etc.
Dry lube inside the mag body to make the follower and spring move up and down easier, and outside the mag body to help the mags drop free during changes.
No way is something like dry lube ever going to contaminate your powder or primer.
You'd have to leave the round submerged in a cup of wet lube soaking for a while to do that.
Most all magazine springs I've seen are stainless steel, so they aren't going to need any protection from corrosion.

Never thought of just applying it i the springs. Good tip. Learn something new every day on this forum.

I buy Rem Dri Lube on eBay. Never have a problem getting it. Rarely see it in stores although Walmart near me has it from time to time.