Keeping mags loaded

[Gammon]

I have been through this argument before and the scientists have maintained that a fully compressed spring, as in a mag, is in no danger of losing its tension. Due to my lack of sophistication I have been unable to grasp this concept as it does not agree with my real world experience. I have no intention with arguing with the scientists because I have no basis for my fear of leaving mags loaded for extended periods.

My solution is to rotate my loaded mags. This will ease the tension on the springs and my conscience, and if done over rather long periods, not impose any undue stress on the mag springs. Each to his own.

 

[drgrant]

I have noticed problems with leaving mags loaded... but only with springs that I would deem as being significantly worn, and that probably shouldn't be in service to begin with, on any firearm intended for defensive uses. About 10 years ago, I had an AMT BackUp 380 DAO (AKA, total piece of shit) that if you left the mags loaded long enough the odds of getting a malfunction would increase dramatically.... but it is a pretty safe bet that the magazine springs were worn pretty badly by the time I got the gun. IMHO worn springs start to "behave" very weirdly when they get worn out. Example- you can have 2 mags with equally shit springs, load one up, leave it loaded for a few weeks, then go out and shoot the gun and get jams.... yet, you take that 2nd shit spring mag, load it up at the range and shoot it immediately, and it works fine.... it's almost like theres a secondary "temporary death set" that can happen with worn mag springs.

-Mike

 

[user151]

This discussion explains why I like revolvers....
I can keep my S&W 642 loaded forever with no worries.

 

[mclina]

This discussion explains why I like revolvers....
I can keep my S&W 642 loaded forever with no worries.

But you at least rotate the cartridges so they don't get flat-spots, right?