Is it okay to leave bullets in the magazine when the weapon is stored?

Question

Or does this wear out the magazine or something?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, the Magazine Spring Myth is one of the most common falacies about firearms out there. Gun people are usually pretty knowledgeable, but this myth gets repeated again and again, gaining steam every time.

There was a time.....and I'm talking early 1900s....when spring steel was prone to stress weakness. This is not the case today....in fact quality manufacturers make the magazine springs understanding that there will be 'pre-load' stress on them.

It sounds reasonable, but in actuality there is no truth to it....

HOWEVER....I strongly suggest you empty your magazines regularly and give them a good workout at the target range.....NOT FOR THE GUN but for you!

Answer 2

this answer has been best answer to this question at least once before for me......and still applies.

Nope, storing magazines fully loaded does them no harm. It's the cycle of compression/decompression that wears down this type of spring, not constant compression (as with some other types of springs). Firearms magazines should always be stored completely full or completely empty, as there are the two states that are the least stressful for the springs. VERY long term storage of partially filled magazines could, in theory, weaken the springs to the point that they won't feed reliably when loaded beyond where they were stored...

Answer 3

I'm not completely sure if the springs are weakened or not, but since my primary home defense weapon is an 1911, I leave two magazines loaded. I just remove one or two rounds from each magazine... if it holds 8 rounds I leave 6 or 7 in it, with the hopes that the springs will retain decent tension this way.

Answer 4

It is ok to store a loaded magazine.
What actually weakens the spring is the constant loading and unloading of the magazine.

Answer 5

It can weaken the spring in some magazines, especially detachable ones. With an internal magazine, it probably wouldn't matter. Storing any mag loaded shouldn't make a huge difference, though, unless it's left there for months.

Answer 6

My primary carry is a 1911, heard all the stories, the myths and the "truths". Peronally, I just rotate my mags every month or so.

Answer 7

it will weaken the spring in the magazine, always take the rounds out of the magazine, if you arent going to be shooting for a while.

Answer 8

not the best way to go,, ,,,over a time it will cause the soring to get weak,, too it hold moistor, ,, an call it to rust,, 3th you may for get it has a shell, an be showing the gun to some on, an by a mistake, get some one hurt

Answer 9

no leaving rounds on the spring makes the spring assume the position all the time of a depressed mag spring now it doesnt pop the rounds up so wipe and restore the rounds to a box and wipe with light oil the spring and the mags and replace into the port on the weapon ,,

Answer 10

The spring can develop a memory and cause your magazine to not have enough pressure to feed your rounds. Also, depending on your ammo, your ammo can tarnish and damage your mag. I would recommend that you only leave a couple of rounds in the mag and rotate them monthly.