keep magazines loaded

[Bobbee]

Can you store the magazines full (does the spring wear) or should they be emptied after each trip to the range ?

 

[OKFC05]

After you finish shooting, why are you taking time to reload the magazines at the range?
When do you plan on cleaning the magazines? They are more likely to eventually gum up than the spring fail.

 

[jagular]

Like most springs, the ones in the mags will start to weaken as they are cycled more and more. Ive had mags loaded and stored away for 2-3 years and they work as intended. I've even heard on the interwebz of mag springs lasting 10k+ rounds. I believe it but they are meant to be disposable and thrown away or parts changed out.

Some people will keep 30 mags loaded and stored away for a shtf. I keep 2 mags loaded for home defense. A 20 rounded that stays in the rifle and a backup 30 rounder.

What you do with yours is entirely up to you but consider the weapons intended use when doing so. If it's just a range gun you could load up your mags before you go or do it at the range.

*edit
I thought this was a post in the AR15 forum but, like someone mentioned below, if you leave the 15-22 mags fully loaded you run the risk of the top seam splitting. This will cause failure to feeds. I had this happen to one mag after about 3k rounds. Magpul AR15 mags have a cover that keeps pressure off the feed lips. 15-22 mags don't.

 

[dusty3030]

Cycles not compression.
They can stay at compression or they can stay at rest, the cycle from one to another is what wears them.
So, the only logical (and fun) reason to unload them is with the trigger and not your thumb.
Leaving them loaded is OK, it is not going to shorten the life of it.

 

[chopshopcop]

Most police officers, including me, have carried the same fully charged mags for years. Pretty much the only time they get emptied is at re-qualification. I've never heard of a mag spring related failure due to keeping them charged.

In recruit training at my old PD, they are taught how to disassemble, clean and reassemble the magazine; after that it's up to the individual whether or not they ever continue it. Have seen some improperly assembled after cleaning, springs upside down and followers backwards...

It's been my experience that a lot of cops only clean their dang weapon once a year after re-qual anyway

 

[Ranger514]

I rotated my duty carry magazines twice a year, after each range qualification. I kept the spares fully loaded in my locker. I had the same Sig P229 and magazines for 20 years. During that time, I had two separate magazine failures because the synthetic composition butt plate covers became worn thin, and broke on the concrete floors of ranges after repeated emergency reload drills. When the butt plates broke, the magazine springs ejected. I only mention it because I want to caution others that they need to closely examine their magazines from time to time, looking for cracks or other signs of excessive wear that could cause failures.

 

[GhostMutt]

The only issue i have had with my 15-22 mags is the 'lips' at the top wearing out from overuse and not holding the rounds in.

I was bummed out about it happening but then i remembered the fun i had which caused it to happen.