Handgun Magazine Spring Fatigue

Question
Bob - I am wondering how long one can keep a handgun magazine fully loaded without having a negative impact on the spring(s).  If one keeps a semi-auto pistol ready for home defense, by definition this is going to be quite a long time.  Do you simply replace the magazine after a certain amount of time and if so what do you recommend?  I tend to prefer Glocks by the way.

Thanks,
MSS

Answer
Hi Mark.

This topic is often debated with no clear answer being the winner.  Each manufacturer, shop dealer, gunsmith, metallurgist, magazine writer, and pistol owner will tell you something different based on their own personal opinions or whatever information they have been given over the years.  Here are some facts to consider:

- high quality magazine springs are made of special steel which is specifically formulated and treated to return to the normal uncompressed shape even when left fully loaded for very long periods (often many years)

- some springs might not retain their exact shape and original strength forever, especially if they were low quality to start with, of if they have been abused by over-stretching or over-compressing them beyond their original design parameters, or if they have been bent, over-heated, trimmed, treated with chemicals, etc.

- spring strength can be measured easily with tools which most gunsmiths will have on-hand, and the firearm or magazine manufacturer should be able to tell you the original strength of the magazine spring for comparison purposes, so you could easily have your magazine springs tested if you want to be 100% sure

- most magazine springs can be replaced easily and are usually available as an individual part from the manufacturer or from numerous after-market companies such as brownells.com

- in most cases it is easier and more reliable to just buy a new magazine directly from the firearm manufacturer

Based on this info most people would conclude that extended magazine spring compression is not something to worry about as long as you buy a quality firearm and do not damage the magazine or magazine spring as noted above.  If the firearm or magazine was obtained in used condition, or if some damage has occurred, or if you just aren't 100% sure then it is probably best to replace the magazine altogether.

Also, even if you are 100% sure that there is no damage to the magazine or magazine spring, and that leaving it fully loaded will not hurt it one bit, you would also have to agree that there is absolutely no harm done by periodically rotating the magazines, rotating the ammunition, and/or replacing the magazines.  Most of us like to shoot our firearms often and need to do so to maintain our shooting skills.  Most of us also own a number of firearms and like to use them all.  These are perfect excuses to rotate your magazines and ammunition after each use including those that have been carried or stored for any significant length of time.  For me a reasonable period is 2-3 months but for others it could be 2-3 weeks or 2-3 years, or never.  Since there is no harm I would suggest doing it more often but you have to decide this for yourself.

The following article has more helpful information on the topic:

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_163_27/ai_99130369

Hope this helps.  Ride hard, shoot straight, and always tell the truth.

Bob