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Leave magazine loaded or unloaded?
- Thread starter Tjb1975
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Jaysq
US Veteran
That question comes up so often that I decided to write to Magpul to see what they had to say. Below is their answer:
Jerry,
Thank you for your inquiry. The factor that truly wears out quality springs is compression cycles, not constant compression. However, we use a high-quality stainless steel springs in our PMAGs and if one ever does happen to wear out any USGI spec spring can be swapped out for the factory one.
Regarding the question of how long, we’ve had magazines fully loaded for over four years now with no Impact/Dust Cover on and have experienced no feed lip or spring issues. With the cover installed storage life is considered indefinite. There have also been PMAGS reportedly tested to hundreds-of-thousands of rounds (military vetting), and we know positively of ones that have gone tens-of-thousands, so usable life is quite excellent too.
Magpul
_____________________________________
TRICIA PARRISH SALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE
MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
[P] 303.828.3460 x141 [F] 303.828.3469
[email protected]
magpul.com | magpuldynamics.com
Jerry,
Thank you for your inquiry. The factor that truly wears out quality springs is compression cycles, not constant compression. However, we use a high-quality stainless steel springs in our PMAGs and if one ever does happen to wear out any USGI spec spring can be swapped out for the factory one.
Regarding the question of how long, we’ve had magazines fully loaded for over four years now with no Impact/Dust Cover on and have experienced no feed lip or spring issues. With the cover installed storage life is considered indefinite. There have also been PMAGS reportedly tested to hundreds-of-thousands of rounds (military vetting), and we know positively of ones that have gone tens-of-thousands, so usable life is quite excellent too.
Magpul
_____________________________________
TRICIA PARRISH SALES & CUSTOMER SERVICE
MAGPUL INDUSTRIES CORP.
[P] 303.828.3460 x141 [F] 303.828.3469
[email protected]
magpul.com | magpuldynamics.com
They'll be fine. It's the use of the magazine (spring up/down movement which causes any wear. Now sometimes a magazine spring can be so strong / stiff as to cause feed issues, therefore, a remedy is to preload the magazine for hours or a day or two and it may "weaken" the spring just enough to function properly. I have used magazines which have been loaded for years at a time and functioned 100%.
As a matter of fact, weeks ago I ran across my old factory 10 round 10/22 magazine which was fully loaded. Went out back and dumped all 10 with no issues. The magazine had probably been loaded at least 20 years.
As a matter of fact, weeks ago I ran across my old factory 10 round 10/22 magazine which was fully loaded. Went out back and dumped all 10 with no issues. The magazine had probably been loaded at least 20 years.
Andy Lowry
Member
Ever notice how cars parked on the street aren't all resting on their axles? They have springs, too. Leave 'em loaded, you'll be fine.
2ndAmendmentNut
Member
Can spring compression damage a magazine? - YouTube
In general my guns that are not readily available are left unloaded. If they are automatics I typically leave the magazines unloaded also.
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In general my guns that are not readily available are left unloaded. If they are automatics I typically leave the magazines unloaded also.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
kd4gij
Member
I leave them loaded. They are useless empty.
Enjoy your rifle and welcome to the forum. I have found this to be one of the better firearm forums.
jagular
Member
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I’ve worn out three mags to the point where the top weld of the mag started to separate. This caused feeding problems. This is likely caused by pressure from the rounds as they were never dropped or put through hard use. If this isn’t your self defense rifle, I’d leave it unloaded so that you don’t unnecessary put wear on the mag. If it is, then I’d regularly inspect it and make sure they are functioning properly. These aren’t milspec magpul mags. They are just polymer ones that are made to some unknown specification to function in the rifle.
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Blackstuff
Member
I keep all the magazines for all my rifles (and shotguns 
) loaded all the time. I've never had one wear out yet. When i'm at the range/competition i'd rather be shooting/stage planning than loading magazines and having them ready to go means i get longer in bed before having to travel x number of hours to whichever facility i'm using! 
) loaded all the time. I've never had one wear out yet. When i'm at the range/competition i'd rather be shooting/stage planning than loading magazines and having them ready to go means i get longer in bed before having to travel x number of hours to whichever facility i'm using! tomcatt51
Member
This just shows how poorly the mags are welded or glued together and has nothing to do with the spring.
FWIW I super glued the seams in mine at the rear top above the slot. Thin super glue ran thru the seam easily indicating they're not well welded or glued. Had to do a bit of smoothing with a file on the inside afterwards where glue ran thru before I realized it was running thru and I became more careful with the super glue. "Separation Problem" averted and it saved (at least temporarily) one mag I had retired with feed lip issues. When I checked my mags after having a feeding problem with one (sixteen 25rd and eleven 10 rd) it appeared the feed lip issues start after the seam opens up. They all got glued as a precaution
I was once given a .25 ACP magazine that had been continuously loaded for more than 50 years. In removing the rounds, the spring tension felt just fine.
At the risk of thread drift, here in my beloved Blue State of New York, a firearm is considered to be loaded if the magazine is loaded, even if detached from the firearm.
At the risk of thread drift, here in my beloved Blue State of New York, a firearm is considered to be loaded if the magazine is loaded, even if detached from the firearm.
Well you beat me to it. Yes it's fine to keep normal magazines loaded but MP 15-22 are an exception. The top feeder lip is too fragile and will probably develop issues much sooner if kept loaded. Super Glue is not going to do much because the first few rounds you fire will most likely create cracks in the hardened glue.
JB Weld might work but I have never tested it on a Gun Part.
These magazine are cheap so you can keep them loaded but you will need to replace them more often.
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tomcatt51
Member
Go back and re-read post #11. I don't super glue the lips. I super glue the seam at the top rear of the mag. Once the original weld or glue separates the mag halves spread which lets the case rims rise too high and that damages the lips. About half of my mags had that seam opening up. A year after being glued the super glued seams are still doing just fine, as are the feed lips.
If any are concerned with an anomaly occurring with the factory magazine, download it by 2-3-4 rounds. If it still goes belly up, throw the magazines and rifle into the nearest dumpster of convenience; for it's not worth possessing.
tomcatt51
Member
If everyone did this dumpsters would be overflowing with Ruger 10-22s.
I believe my 10/22 qualifies for long-term test results of any all parts. Have 6 of the Ruger 25 round magazines, the little 10 rounder and an old 25 round Butler Creek. Keep them full never an issue. The BC must be pushing 30 years old. I know it has over 10,000 rounds through it and very unlike me, the only cleaning it has had was a year or so ago. Got it in late 80s I believe. Never even a patch through it up to the cleaning. In all that time I recall two stove pipes. Possibly 3 but definitely 2. The Butler Creek has the vast majority of all the rounds.
I've had to glue one of my 15-22 mags with super glue as well. I'm a model airplane guy and used some quality super glue, not the cheap stuff. Used some thick glue at first and then followed with a bit of thin glue, and then some kicker spray. No problems since I glued the mag.
I leave a couple of magazines loaded, but not all of them. I'll normally load them a few days prior to a range trip. Wait for them to go on sale and buy them for about $14. I think I've got 20 mags. Makes for a good time at the range.
I've got maybe 15 thousand rounds thru my rife. No problems at all. I did have to tighten the barrel nut, but otherwise, no problems.
batmann
Member
G
I know what the thinking is in leaving mags loaded, but for my .22 M&P 15-22, I keep my mags unloaded.
I have a Glock 22 (.40 cal) that I keep a couple of loaded mags handy and I keep a few AR mags loaded, but weapons I don’t shoot, I keep them unloaded except when I’m going to the range.
I know what the thinking is in leaving mags loaded, but for my .22 M&P 15-22, I keep my mags unloaded.
I have a Glock 22 (.40 cal) that I keep a couple of loaded mags handy and I keep a few AR mags loaded, but weapons I don’t shoot, I keep them unloaded except when I’m going to the range.
I have a 10/22 that I bought in 1979. Have no idea how many rounds went thru it. I too never cleaned it till about 2 years ago. Started having feeding issues. Took it all apart , cleaned it and its shooting like new again. Have always left the mags loaded. GREAT gun. Bought a new 15/22 about a year ago and it too is a terrific gun.
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