Another Dumb Question

[dannyvela]

I`m also a new & proud owner of a new Springfield 1911, but I have heard a lot of pros & cons baout keeping my mags loaded for long periods of time..
I just don`t seem to sometimes have the time to go shooting, and I keep my mags loaded all the time.
I was told that if I keep them loaded the springs get weak, and the pistol will fail to load and sometimes jam..
You guys are the pros, what do you think...Sorry about the dumb Question..
:o :o :o Danny....

[USMC2111]

This is by no means a dumb question. As for your question regarding the magazines I would not recommend keeping them loaded to maximum capacity for long periods of time. I cannot speak specifically for the 1911 but I do have more then a little experience working with military weaponry and we were warned at my military occupational school to NOT leave rounds in the magazines for extended periods because it will weaken the springs. Apparently there were alot of problems in the 1st Gulf War with Marines keeping the Magazines in the M9 loaded to capacity at all times and when they went to fire the weapon it would jam due to the weakend springs. I myself keep a 10 round Magazine loaded with only 7 rounds for home defense purposes so as not to put to much strain on the spring. I rotate the rounds from magazine to magazine from time to time so as not to weaken one spring excessively. If you are considering keeping rounds in your magazine for home defense etc I would probably only put 5 or 6 in and then rotate the rounds to another magazine everyr other week or so.

[John]

As always in life, there are several aspects to a problem. First of all, a lot depends on the quality of the mags themselves. El cheapo things will obviously get weakened springs, on the other hand good quality magazines (or magazines equipped with good quality springs) will last for years before seeing any effect.

If you are worried about this issue, get some good quality mags to start with, it's a good safety measure towards a reliable pistol anyway.

[wichaka]

I rotate my duty mags every 3 months. In that 3 month time they stay loaded, unless I'm going to be off duty for a long period of time. Have never had a problem. I use Wilson 8 rounders........

[stans]

John hit the nail on the head. Good quality magazines and springs do not fail if left loaded. All springs will take a set, the difference is the quality springs will still have more than enough pressure to function reliably, the cheap ones will not. Cheap magazines may also have bodies that are a bit soft and the feed lips will begin to open up. Ask me how I know about that!

The one thing that will weaken a quality spring is repeated cycles of compression and decompression. So it won't matter if the mag is left loaded or unloaded, it is the number of times it goes from loaded to unloaded that will determine its lifespan.

[OD.45]

The one thing that will weaken a quality spring is repeated cycles of compression and decompression. So it won't matter if the mag is left loaded or unloaded, it is the number of times it goes from loaded to unloaded that will determine its lifespan.

I remember reading a study not long ago that tested this theory. I believe they found that springs became weak from being loaded then unloaded as in firing or removing the rounds from them. I don't remember them distinguishing between cheaper springs or quality springs.

[stans]

Cheap (weak) metal fatigues faster than high quality metal, so it stands to reason that a spring made from cheap metal is going to lose tension faster. Applied logic, what d'ya think? :D