[ctfireman]

Always kept all mine loaded & never a problem.

[srggator]

Great Article! Great Read!

Thanks!

[Glock23shooter]

Originally Posted by ChicagoZman

The LE/GOVT mags have LE/GOVT marked on them. Other than that, nothing.

i was thinking they were made more special then the reg OEM mags, like a special spring. Figured since the're for LE/Govt agencies it would have more advantage....never mind then.

[Bill Lumberg]

No degradation of springs from leaving them loaded. Not with glock mags. The same isn't necessarily true of 1911 and M4 mags.

[Raydon3000]

Originally Posted by j6721

All of my mags are fully loaded all of the time and I have never had a problem.

Jim

[TangoFoxtrot]

Originally Posted by Raydon3000

Ditto

[RyanBDawg]

I carry a spare mag with my G26 and usually just change both of them out over two weeks or so with 2 different mags... Never had a problem doing it this way...

[Glockdude1]

Originally Posted by TangoFoxtrot

Ditto

[TooFly4Ya]

Good post, I have always wondered if keeping my rounds in the mag would shorten mag life. Guess not. Thanks!

[Glenriven]

Good info, thanks.

[Poopbear1]

Cheap magazines usually have issues due to fit and finish, and sometimes underpowered springs, or springs with a low elastic limit. There was an issue with the DESIGN of the old M9 magazines (Checkmate mfg mags) where they would collect dirt/dust/mud/crud/blood and that would inhibit smooth cycling, and they have been issuing berretta factory magazines in combat zones since. The problem was 2 fold, the springs were not made from heat treated steel (causing a lower elastic limit) and there was no way out for build up. Berretta factory magazines have a small hole near the base that allows stuff to leave and circulate out, and the springs are made from heat treated steel.

That said, I have had all kinds of magazines fully loaded for years in some cases, and never had any fail, with regular maintenance/cleaning. I also dry lube my springs and the internal magazine surface, though this is just my version of overkill. I only ever had one weapon failure in combat and training, due to bullet setback (round hung up on feed ramp in M4). I have also fired a Beta C-mag without a hiccup that was fully loaded for 2 years, in full auto bursts.

[jellis11]

Great info.

[g22gen4]

awesome thread actually talked to several ppl about it and most said it was fine couple have said otherwise but always good to have something conclusive

[Glock22r]

This is one of those questions that comes up in every gun forum , can you keep the mags loaded , well here's one for you I loaded my Colt 1911 with a mag (several years ago ,I had to pack up and move ,when doing so ,I forgot about my 1911 /i knew I had it/just forgot about it for 3 years) , went outside and fired the whole mag not a problem and the spring is still in good condition!

I think part of the problem with this question is it doesnt really relate to the true problem , if you live on east/west coast you'll find the salt in the air can really cause problems for metal those springs will get eaten up and break , weather plays a major role if the springs are metal

[upside-down-face]

always loaded. always worked.

[flyboyvet]

I always keep my mags loaded, always!

FBV

[Shooter08]

I always keep mine fully loaded all the time G22 and G27 havent had a problem yet.

[PBR Sailor]

I had to repair two more Glock 22 service pistols since my last post. They both had feeding malfunctions. I replaced all of the magazine springs for the problem pistols and now they run fine. Those pistols were issued at the same time mine was issued. I unload my magazines on my days off and have not had a problem in over 5 years.

Draw your own conclusions.

[SCSU74]

Replace mag springs yearly, for $11 you can get 3 Wolff springs. No issues to speak of, but it cheap insurance.


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[doglett386]

"We tell police officers if they keep loaded magazines, take a few seconds to "cycle" the ammo. Periodically unload the mag and reload it in a different sequence."

Just how do you "reload it in a different sequence."?

[revthreep]

I rotate my mags in my carry Glock 23 every couple of weeks. Hope this helps.

[Glockdude1]

Originally Posted by doglett386

"We tell police officers if they keep loaded magazines, take a few seconds to "cycle" the ammo. Periodically unload the mag and reload it in a different sequence."

Just how do you "reload it in a different sequence."?

The round that is now on top, goes to the bottom of the magazine.

[M&P15T]

Originally Posted by PBR Sailor

I had to repair two more Glock 22 service pistols since my last post. They both had feeding malfunctions. I replaced all of the magazine springs for the problem pistols and now they run fine. Those pistols were issued at the same time mine was issued. I unload my magazines on my days off and have not had a problem in over 5 years.

Draw your own conclusions.

You're drawing the wrong conclusions. The magazines that needed replacement springs were used alot.....as in shot/un-loaded and then re-loaded. Your loading and un-loading of your magazines is only hurting them, not helping.

This is NOT about "draw your own conclusions", this topic needs facts. And the facts are that it's cycling of spirngs that weakens them, not leaving them compressed within their normal tolerances.

[Bill Lumberg]

This.

Originally Posted by M&P15T

You're drawing the wrong conclusions. The magazines that needed replacement springs were used alot.....as in shot/un-loaded and then re-loaded. Your loading and un-loading of your magazines is only hurting them, not helping.

This is NOT about "draw your own conclusions", this topic needs facts. And the facts are that it's cycling of spirngs that weakens them, not leaving them compressed within their normal tolerances.

FWIW: G36. Two magazines fully loaded and sitting unused for over 4 years—one stock mag, one with a +1 plug and longer spring.
Both still worked fine at the range a few days ago.

However, with the stock mag, I occasionally get a FTF on the first hand-cycled round. Since it is the first, it is likely not the spring but must be my weak cycling hand. (I will post on these FTSs separately in a bit.)