[Hayduke]

Howdy,

I have not been able to shoot too often but want to have a ready to use 1911 on hand.

Does it "damage" a magazine to have it loaded for extended periods…like weeks? Should it be not a full mag to preserve the spring? Should I routinely cycle my mags?

Just don't want to have to need it and have it mis-fire due to stressed spring etc.

Thanks,

Hayduke

 

[Chuck43]

No it doesn't harm a magazine to keep it loaded for extended periods of time. I've found 2 loaded magazines in the back of my gun safe that have probably sat there for a couple of years, the next time I went to the range I shot them and they functioned perfectly.

 

[PorscheVille]

I always leave at least one magazine fully loaded in case the unthinkable happens. I don't think spring steel is hurt by being under pressure....that's what it is designed to do. And I sure don't want to be trying to load a magazine while under attack.

 

[Insta-Gator]

I always leave at least one magazine fully loaded in case the unthinkable happens. I don't think spring steel is hurt by being under pressure....that's what it is designed to do. And I sure don't want to be trying to load a magazine while under attack.

Agreed. I have at least one, usually two or three, of every caliber I own loaded and sitting in the gun safe. As PorcheVille said, in case the unthinkable happens.

 

[Islander]

I keep at least two magazines loaded. As was said "just in case!"

 

[Hayduke]

Thanks guys,

Seems like I read somewhere about springs being fatigued and having to be replaced.

I will always shoot with said mag but just find I am unable to get out as much as I'd like and it's been sitting for ~ 3 weeks now!

Hayduke

 

[Insta-Gator]

Fatigue comes from compression + release + compression + .....

 

[Dude22]

Full magazines are under static pressure. Static pressure does not fatigue a spring. Little engineering lingo. LOL. I was a manufacturing engineer in a previous life.

 

[Insta-Gator]

Full magazines are under static pressure. Static pressure does not fatigue a spring. Little engineering lingo. LOL. I was a manufacturing engineer in a previous life.

Before you became a full time beer drinker and part-time smartass? LOL

 

[PorscheVille]

Full magazines are under static pressure. Static pressure does not fatigue a spring. Little engineering lingo. LOL. I was a manufacturing engineer in a previous life.

Yeah. Static pressure. That's what I meant!

 

[PorscheVille]

Fatigue comes from compression + release + compression + .....

Not to mention....if you use four mags like me....and you have 1900 rounds fired...that is less than 500 rounds per magazine. I would think magazines would last for several thousand rounds.

There is probably a posted spring life somewhere too.

 

[2sharp2]

Me to, keep two 8round mags of .45 loaded. Sometimes I shoot the rounds out but they pretty much stay loaded all the time.
Going to try some of my old Colt magazines in the Ultra and see how they perform.

 

[Warthogge]

There have been many discussions on various forums on this subject. Instagator is correct. As long as you don't cycle the spring from compression to relaxed and back to compression, it can be compressed "forever". Stories of people finding magazines in safes and drawers that have been loaded for over 60 years with no loss of spring length have been 'documented'.

 

[bigdog10]

All my mags are fully loaded 100 percent of the time. I haven't had a single problem with any of them. their are a couple that are as old I am that still work perfect. got to love my Grampy's and grandma's shooters

 

[Oreste]

Fatigue comes from compression + release + compression + .....

Insta-Gator is correct. Nothing happens to the springs in a compressed state. It is just stored energy and does not change until released. It is repeated compress and decompress over a period of time that weakens the springs.
Just physics "s%$t" I remember from college days...long.....long.........ago!

 

[Dude22]

Before you became a full time beer drinker and part-time smartass? LOL

I can multi task. I do/did all three and more at the same time! I love this place, can't get anything past you guys.

 

[Insta-Gator]

it's all in fun, buddy. All in fun.

 

[Dude22]

it's all in fun, buddy. All in fun. View attachment 859

Absolutely in good fun.

 

[Ultraman]

Never any issues. All mags loaded in all my guns...and always one in the pipe.

 

[Lineman]

Omg!!

I recall a story of someone finding a bunch of loaded WW II .45 magazines that were over 40 years old. The entire lot was fired from those magazines without a hitch!! So much for weakening springs with storage.

The static pressure was of the springs was not compromised and they retained their full potential energy when the time came for them to discharge the projectiles!! How is that for some engineering terms??? Not too bad for a dumb ass ex-Lineman!!!

Although I did retire as a Telecommunications Plant Engineer!!!