mag's loaded or empty?

[Printman]

I also keep mine loaded all the time and they always function just fine.

 

[jppezz23]

Thanks to everybody for the information i learned a lot. I have 6 mags for my 40ve usually keep 4 loaded.

 

[Jimmymac46]

Leave them loaded! I've heard the same argument (load14 rds. in a 15rd. mag, etc.). I can only speak from carrying them for almost 30 years on the job. I never had any problems with fully loaded factory mags. They work!

Just rotate the ammo every 6 months or so. You'll be fine.

I concur. It is more important to rotate your self-defense ammo or duty ammo, then be concerned with spring failure in your magazines. However, if you are worried about leaving a full/max magazine, leaving one round out certainly won't hurt anything. Some magazines by design will cause the spring press against the sides of the magazine body when fully loaded. Leaving one round out will lower stress somewhat and allow for slightly easier first round chambering due to slightly less pressure on the bottom of the slide. An example is the AR-15 type rifles. Today, nearly no one teaches carrying the max....20 rounds in a 20 round max, for example, due to frequent failures to chamber the first round causing the bolt to fall short of battery. While handguns are clearly not AR's, the philosophy is the same.

Another potential problem with a fully loaded magazine, is failure to seat the mag fully when inserting it in the weapon with the slide forward in battery. This is problem experienced in the 457, 4500 series Smith's.

Again, fully stoked magazines have functioned well for nearly 100 years, but if you are concerned, leave one round out and reduced the potential for problems and provide a margin for peace of mind.

 

[Ky Bob]

Load your mags and forget them. I've got some mags that have been loaded for 2-3 years. Never been a problem yet.

 

[gym]

Magazines don't degrade by non use or loading less rounds in them. They can be fully loaded and left for years. This is a myth that you will hear on various websites. A gunsmith or person familiar with the workings of springs and or metals will tell you that it makes no difference to the spring and is better to leave the mag loaded rather than unloaded.

 

[borntoraisehogs]

I have Kimber , Colt and Chip McCormick magazines . I have been running a test in which I keep the 7 magazines loaded at all times . I use and carry them at random . When I shoot , I reload the mags at once . I have been doing this for about 10 years . So far , just like new . I'll give you all an update in another ten .

 

[Jim H]

Loaded, inserted into gun, one round in the chamber. Unloaded by special appointment only...

 

[jal910s]

O.k., I get that they are designed to be loaded and left, but what of a new mag that gets to the last two rounds and hangs up? could it just need to be lubed or is there another problem I should look for, it doesn't always stick, but when it does, I can usually pull it, tap it against my hand and the next round pops up and is ready to chamber. Maybe the plastic part is slightly deformed or has a piece left from manufacturing?

 

[Jim H]

...but what of a new mag that gets to the last two rounds and hangs up? could it just need to be lubed or is there another problem I should look for, it doesn't always stick, but when it does, I can usually pull it, tap it against my hand and the next round pops up and is ready to chamber.

This does not sound like a spring problem. Also, I don't recall that anything in the magazine is meant to be lubed.

Maybe the plastic part is slightly deformed or has a piece left from manufacturing?

This seems most likely. Is it only this one mag? You could have a good look at the plastic follower, compare it to another, and check the inside of the magazine for any unusual rub or wear patterns.

Then too you can call S&W and see what they recommend. They may have you send it in, send you new parts, or maybe a new mag??

 

[Missionary]

Good morning
If a spring is properly made it will ALWAYS return to normal.
Consider the coil spring in a 100* year old Winchester tube magazine... It was loaded for most it years always with at least 7 rounds and it opperates just fine.
But on my semi auto mags... I rotate the 10 for each pistol or rifle. Two months loaded then rotated out to the end of cycle. All are loaded minus 10%. Some mags are well over 20 years now. Each mag gets a check over BEFORE loading for HD. Cleaned , oiled if needed. First time a mag fails to function properly at the range I find out why. If it is structural mag gets clearly marked with duct tape and regulated to the RANGE ONLY. If it is a weak spring that gets replaced.
Do not neglect your mags.