New to automatics

Question
Dear Sir,
I own a Beretta model 96 this is my first auto handgun.
How long can a fully charged clip be stored with out damage to the spring? I use the pistol for home defense so I want to have a clip of ammo ready to go at all times. Should I be concerned about clip malfunction due to spring damage in storage?

Answer
New springs are pretty good, I would not fully load, if a 7 rd clip, put six in clip and one in chamber that way the spring is not fully compressed, keep an extra mag with an additional load -1.  Every six months, during you semi annual cleaning unload to let the spring decompress and then you should be go to go.