NewToGuns17
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I have cleaned all 3 of my shield mags and my 2 2.0 full size mags once. Question. Is it proper to drop a mag to the ground no matter the surface? Doesn't it beat it up?
How Often Do You Clean Your Mags?
- Thread starter Nicefish
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ContinentalOp
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Every range trip, disassemble and wipe down inside and outside with a dry rag, reassemble.
As far as mag springs weakening, I don't worry about it. Springs are relatively inexpensive so replacing them every couple of years in carry mags is cheap insurance and I don't have to worry about having sufficient spring strength to keep my gun functioning properly.
As far as mag springs weakening, I don't worry about it. Springs are relatively inexpensive so replacing them every couple of years in carry mags is cheap insurance and I don't have to worry about having sufficient spring strength to keep my gun functioning properly.
ContinentalOp
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This is why I like to have two sets of mags, one for carry and one for practice/training. Carry mags get function-tested periodically and the training mags get the abuse. When I'm practicing, I don't want to get in the habit of babying my mags when reloading. People tend to revert to how they've practiced when under stress. Look up the Newhall Incident.
In either case, when mags stop working, replace them.
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Rastoff
US Veteran
If you are a defensive shooter, meaning practicing because you're going to carry for self-defense, then yes, always drop empty mags to the ground. You want to develop the habit of removing the empty mag as fast as possible so you can get a full one installed.
Yes, it can be hard on the mag. However, they are designed for it. I've dropped mags on everything from concrete to sand. I've never had a mag break from doing so, but I have seen it happen. Sometimes the plastic base can succumb to the trauma. I've never seen a metal base give way.
Mags are wear items. Always have spares.
scattershot
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I don't clean mine, but I try not to drop them, either.
Cheapskait
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"How Often Do You Clean Your Mags?"
When the followers start looking schmutzy.
When the followers start looking schmutzy.
Rastoff
US Veteran
This is a good way to keep your equipment. However, during an emergency reload, you really need to drop the empty mag.
I'll typically disassemble, inspect, then wipe down the springs and insides of mags that I just got ( even if brand new, but especially used ones).
After that, maybe every few years. But then, I don't drop them into sand or dirt or anything like that, either (and since I'm not a character in a Liam Neeson movie, I don't have much need for any "emergency reloads", LOL!!)
After that, maybe every few years. But then, I don't drop them into sand or dirt or anything like that, either (and since I'm not a character in a Liam Neeson movie, I don't have much need for any "emergency reloads", LOL!!)
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lhump1961
US Veteran
I'm one of those that clean them regularly...I see no reason not to. Magazines are one of the leading causes of malfunctions in autos so I clean and inspect them for my own satisfaction.
I also know that there are those who not only don't clean the mags regularly but don't clean the gun all the time either and don't have issues. I think if your gun is in good shape and you don't drop it in the mud then it can go quite a while without being cleaned...it's really up to the owner how they go about it. Most of the time stuff has to get pretty crusty to malfunction...but you can't argue against cleaner is better!
I think that if the only thing a person does is clean the bore from time to time then from the standpoint of function that will usually be enough for many, many rounds of normal use. Of course it won't run indefinitely but it will for quite a while.
I also know that there are those who not only don't clean the mags regularly but don't clean the gun all the time either and don't have issues. I think if your gun is in good shape and you don't drop it in the mud then it can go quite a while without being cleaned...it's really up to the owner how they go about it. Most of the time stuff has to get pretty crusty to malfunction...but you can't argue against cleaner is better!
I think that if the only thing a person does is clean the bore from time to time then from the standpoint of function that will usually be enough for many, many rounds of normal use. Of course it won't run indefinitely but it will for quite a while.
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HCH
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I thought you just threw them out after you ran out of bullets.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxtu228bYFw[/ame]
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxtu228bYFw[/ame]
Rastoff
US Veteran
I suppose that could happen, but I haven't seen it in tens of thousands of mag drops. Mags don't usually start spinning when they leave the mag well. They usually fall straight down. If you're moving as you change mags, and you should be, there's a possibility the mags will get kicked though.
This is an interesting point about what's important. Most shooters put a huge emphasis on cleaning the bore. So much so, that most equate cleaning a gun with scrubbing the bore. I don't believe that's the correct place to put the emphasis on cleaning a gun.
The bore has nothing to do with the function of the gun. When talking about defensive shooting or even USPSA, IDPA or Steel Challenge, the function is more important that super precision accuracy. So, more attention should be paid to cleaning the action than the bore. I clean my guns every time I shoot, but I only clean the bore every 500-1,000 rounds or so.
Since we're in the pistol section, this is only about pistols. I treat rifles differently. Shotguns, I don't care about the bore much at all.
Cheapskait
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lhump1961
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It has always been my understanding that if the bore gets fouled then accuracy suffers...especially rifles at distance but pistols, too.
NewToGuns17
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I *think* the point he was trying to make was that if your gun doesn't function properly, it has no accuracy. If it doesn't function, you have not gun. The bore does need to be clean, but the action is what needs to function properly for a clean bore to do it's job.
When they get dirty or...
... if they start feeling 'not smooth' which is only once in a blue moon since they are never near dirt. If I was to drop one in the dirt it would be cleaned for sure because I want them to last as well as work when I want them to.
... if they start feeling 'not smooth' which is only once in a blue moon since they are never near dirt. If I was to drop one in the dirt it would be cleaned for sure because I want them to last as well as work when I want them to.
Out West
Member
Never clean my mags. Maybe I need to shoot more, or sell some guns - so I shoot the same ones more, or maybe it just isn't that necessary.
Rastoff
US Veteran
NewToGuns17 is exactly correct.
As I said, of course accuracy can suffer if you don't clean the bore. However, in defensive shooting, at 15 yards or less, a 4" group is perfectly fine. Every gun I've ever used will do that even with some fouling in the bore.
Again, people tend to equate cleaning a gun with cleaning the bore, but it's much more. They spend an hour on cleaning the bore to ensure the ultimate accuracy, but 2 minutes on the action. If the gun doesn't function, the inaccuracy is infinite. The most important aspect of a defensive gun is functional reliability; if it don't work, it's useless.
Cleaning your mags is an extension of this. Mags should be inspected at the very least. Cleaning them every time might not be necessary, but it can't hurt as long as they're reassembled properly.
I clean the magazine(s) when I get a new used pistol or when I have a misfeed after the third or fourth round fired (which indicates a lubricant may have migrated into the mag).
