Clip springs??

**mdogspot** · 02-11-2009, 11:17 AM

Do you guys keep your clips loaded in storage? I keep one loaded just in case. Will longterm storage with a loaded clip weaken up the springs. One of my 10/22 clips finally weakened to the point it will not feed up.

Just curious if it was due to leaving it full. Didnt want it happening to the AR Clips.

**ryantx23** · 02-11-2009, 11:20 AM

Generally speaking, its good to keep them unloaded and the tension off of them, but modern science has evolved good enough that its not a big issue. I personally keep some loaded and some unloaded and rotate them every month or two. Also, you get what you pay for and its worth an extra buck or two to get some good mags that will last you forever versus spending a little less and getting a substandard product...

**mdogspot** · 02-11-2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by ryantx23

Generally speaking, its good to keep them unloaded and the tension off of them, but modern science has evolved good enough that its not a big issue. I personally keep some loaded and some unloaded and rotate them every month or two. Also, you get what you pay for and its worth an extra buck or two to get some good mags that will last you forever versus spending a little less and getting a substandard product...

True dat! Cheap mags suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank4 your input.

**cwconnertx** · 02-11-2009, 02:20 PM

I think rotating them is good, but quality mags should not have an issue.

Metallurgy is pretty good with the modern material used in springs but letting them stretch out so to speak can't hurt. I rotate the mags i keep loaded every quarter for the weapons I haven't shot.

But what wears out the springs is also cycling, not jsut staying compressed, so get some extra springs and change them when when needed. The same thing goes for recoil springs in pistols, they just don't last forever. Do the maintenance and keep your gun 100% reliable.

Buy quality magazines. A magazine that works 95% of the time will be repaired at my house. The repair consist of flattening with a hammer if it can't be made 100% reliable (After removing the parts which might be useful in repairing other mags later if applicable). Most of my magazines are factory for the firearm they belong with, or very high quality aftermarket (in the case of my 1911 and AR15 rifles)

I love Wilson Combat for the 1911, highly recommend to everyone, i have never had a feed failure with a Wilson magazine in any of the 1911s i have owned.

The only real problems I have had are with cheap AR and Mini14 magazines.
I only use factory magazines in my Mini 14 now.

**Diesel** · 02-11-2009, 02:29 PM

My understanding is that it is perfectly ok

Springs will always bounce back to their memory position.

It's the constant working of a spring that can deteriorate it over time, not being held in a fixed position.

But that's just what my reading and research has shown.

**Moira** · 02-11-2009, 02:46 PM

Can anyone post a video that (slowly) goes over how
to field strip one? I've kinda forgotten how to do it.

thanks

**Vicious Ignernt** · 02-11-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel

It's the constant working of a spring that can deteriorate it over time, not being held in a fixed position.

Diesel,

Copy that! That's what I've read and heard as well.
It should take years before a mag spring loses any force if stored loaded.
Imagine bending a paper clip over and over until it breaks.
Same thing with a magazine spring.

But, then again, I'm ignernt.

**ryantx23** · 02-11-2009, 03:20 PM

Springs wear out just like anything else and as stated above, modern day metallurgy has improved significantly and they can be stored loaded for an extended period of time. But its also a good idea to rotate them ever so often too. So you can let the springs stretch their legs so to speak. If anyone is looking for good AR mags, I highly suggest checking out Pmags by Magpul. They are top notch mags!