How Often Do You Clean Your Mags?

[Nicefish]

Or do you? I was cleaning my 2.0 9mm compact for the first time (post shooting), and was wondering how often is generally recommended? By the way my first time at the range was fantastic. About 150 rounds with out a hiccup. 115 gr Perfecto, Tula steel, and 147 gr Federal HST jhp. The gun was making me look pretty good Nice shooter!

 

[Ray1970]

I will pop my magazines apart and clean them if they've been repeatedly dropped in the dirt. That usually means after a match or a training session. Besides that I might clean them once every year or so if I think about it.

 

[Rpg]

If I drop a 1911 magazine in the mud or deep sand, it gets cleaned.

Maybe 5 or 6 occasions over many years.

 

[texasjohnboy]

I will pop my magazines apart and clean them if they've been repeatedly dropped in the dirt. That usually means after a match or a training session. Besides that I might clean them once every year or so if I think about it.

Same here. When I do clean them, I use dry rags, no oil/solvents/etc. I'll visually inspect all mags after each match/range trip/training session, and unless they are really dirty they just get a quick wipe down.

Carry mags are examined at the same time, since I try to shoot my carry gun as often as others, rotated evenly.

 

[Targets Guy]

Once every five years.

 

[RGVshooter]

I compete in USPSA matches on a regular basis with my M&P 9, put in maybe 200-300 rounds a week thru it. I disassemble/inspect my mags and clean them I'd say every 2-3 months.

 

[mscampbell2734]

I will pop my magazines apart and clean them if they've been repeatedly dropped in the dirt. That usually means after a match or a training session. Besides that I might clean them once every year or so if I think about it.

Same here,,,,,,,,

 

[swsig]

Occasionally I'll work the followers up and down to see if they're moving smoothly. If there's any binding, I'll clean them. Of course sticking followers are prime suspects for any failures to feed/load. That will always result in a cleaning, but that doesn't happen often. So as long as your gun is feeding OK, and you haven't dropped your magazines in the mud, don't worry about it.

 

[Andy Lowry]

The outsides get cleaned after every session. The insides get cleaned only when I replace the springs, so every ten years or so.

 

[kbm6893]

Every time I shoot the gun, the mags get cleaned. Only takes minute or two so why not?

 

[Nicefish]

I was doing some research on magazine spring tension, if it would be harmful if mag were loaded a long time, ect. The prominent school of thought I found was that mag spings are designed to hold much more spring tension than a full loaded magazine will ever produce, so it is ok, for instance, to leave a magazine loaded for a long time. However the only time a weaking effect was placed on the spring was when it was unloaded. Obviously your going to fire the thing. But, while necessary on occasion, dismantling a mag would not be good idea often (?) My rendering maybe a bit unscientific sounding...so I was just wondering what you all thought.

 

[kbm6893]

I was doing some research on magazine spring tension, if it would be harmful if mag were loaded a long time, ect. The prominent school of thought I found was that mag spings are designed to hold much more spring tension than a full loaded magazine will ever produce, so it is ok, for instance, to leave a magazine loaded for a long time. However the only time a weaking effect was placed on the spring was when it was unloaded. Obviously your going to fire the thing. But, while necessary on occasion, dismantling a mag would not be good idea often (?) My rendering maybe a bit unscientific sounding...so I was just wondering what you all thought.

How could it hurt anything? Removing the floor plate and sliding out the spring and follower doesn't compress or decompress the spring. I've been cleaning magazines after every range outing for over 25 years and it's never been an issue. And some of the magazines I currently own are over 25 years old. Still function perfectly.

 

[Nicefish]

Ive had guns for 27 years I'm ashamed that it never dawned on me to do anything wth the mags (until about a year ago). I'll admit I didn't completely understand the "weakening effect" either. If it's true maybe it's not a real world thing to worry about - like your sayimg.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

Bought my M&P9 fs in 2010, my 9c in 2014 and my 45c 2 years ago.
Haven't cleaned any of the 20+ mags I have for them.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Hardly ever. I clean my range magazines when the begin to malfunction. I keep my carry magazines clean to begin with and seldom mess with them.

 

[Kurusu]

I clean them as I see fit. Some of my autos see a lot of use, some don't.

Edit. The autos I use the most are Lugers. So, taking the mags appart is not a good ideia. I just depress the followers and give a good scrubb with an old toothbrush and oil. Never had any problems in 20 years.

 

[kramden]

Once in a blue..............

 

[Funflyer]

Every time I shoot the gun, the mags get cleaned. Only takes minute or two so why not?

I do the same. Simple to disassemble and reassemble so their cleaning adds about two minutes to my post shooting routine.

 

[Rastoff]

Occasionally I'll work the followers up and down to see if they're moving smoothly. If there's any binding, I'll clean them.

This is how I handle it.

I drop mags in the dirt regularly. There is always the potential for dirt, small rocks and other debris to get in there. So, every time I load a mag, I pay attention to how it feels. If the rounds go in smoothly, no issue. If I feel any grit or hear some foreign object in there, I'll set it aside until I can clean it.

Other than that, I don't worry about it.

 

[yeti]

I disassemble, brush out, wipe tube & guts after drops on sandy/muddy/wet/gritty stages. Sand & grit is the worst.
I've even had to do it several times during the same event.