Handgun question

3ofusnow · 04-28-2010, 07:10 AM

This is not exactly about hunting although I know some people do use handguns for hunting. In watching some reviews on guns on youtube someone mentioned that leaving the magazines loaded was damaging to the springs. Is there any truth to that?

Bradsalex · 05-02-2010, 06:04 PM

I'm sure that somewhere someone has done a study on the tension on the spring and the amount of recoil that is lost when a magazine is left loaded. The only thing is I don't want to be caught without a magazine loaded with ammo ready by my side. I personally leave a fully loaded mag locked in my pistol with a round chambered at all times.

I know people in the law enforcement job that were told they could not have a round chambered in their sidearm. This did not work out so well when they got into a fight with someone on the job and that person was able to get the pistol away and chamber a round and shoot them.

So for me the stress on the mag spring is irrelevant to the protection it offers.

Newanderthal · 05-04-2010, 10:50 AM

I've left a mag loaded for years and it still works fine. I guess it could eventually wear down the spring, but how long will that take? 10 years? 15?

Gondor · 05-06-2010, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bradsalex

I'm sure that somewhere someone has done a study on the tension on the spring and the amount of recoil that is lost when a magazine is left loaded. The only thing is I don't want to be caught without a magazine loaded with ammo ready by my side. I personally leave a fully loaded mag locked in my pistol with a round chambered at all times.

I know people in the law enforcement job that were told they could not have a round chambered in their sidearm. This did not work out so well when they got into a fight with someone on the job and that person was able to get the pistol away and chamber a round and shoot them.

So for me the stress on the mag spring is irrelevant to the protection it offers.

What an excellent answer! I agree completely. First of all, these sprigs are usually heavy duty made, so don't worry about that. But if that comes out as a problem after years of use, just replace the spring.

southerngal · 05-22-2010, 07:25 PM

I have also seen that mentioned a few times so we change out our magazines every few days for piece of mind and so I can get some practice loading it too. We do keep it fully loaded and chambered at night and when we carry it out.

Adventurelover · 05-22-2010, 09:01 PM

I don't keep mine loaded but I too keep a clip right next to it. I have mine in a gun safe so it would take time to get it out but then all I have to do it load the clip, turn off the safety, and shoot.

04-28-2010, 07:10 AM	#1
3ofusnow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: GA Posts: 132	Handgun question This is not exactly about hunting although I know some people do use handguns for hunting. In watching some reviews on guns on youtube someone mentioned that leaving the magazines loaded was damaging to the springs. Is there any truth to that?

05-02-2010, 06:04 PM	#2
Bradsalex Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Olympia, WA Posts: 95 Blog Entries: 2	I'm sure that somewhere someone has done a study on the tension on the spring and the amount of recoil that is lost when a magazine is left loaded. The only thing is I don't want to be caught without a magazine loaded with ammo ready by my side. I personally leave a fully loaded mag locked in my pistol with a round chambered at all times. I know people in the law enforcement job that were told they could not have a round chambered in their sidearm. This did not work out so well when they got into a fight with someone on the job and that person was able to get the pistol away and chamber a round and shoot them. So for me the stress on the mag spring is irrelevant to the protection it offers. "Being properly distracted for a moment is child's play, being rightly distracted for a lifetime is and art." ~Douglas Adams

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05-04-2010, 10:50 AM	#3
Newanderthal Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 162	I've left a mag loaded for years and it still works fine. I guess it could eventually wear down the spring, but how long will that take? 10 years? 15?

05-22-2010, 07:25 PM	#5
southerngal Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 140	I have also seen that mentioned a few times so we change out our magazines every few days for piece of mind and so I can get some practice loading it too. We do keep it fully loaded and chambered at night and when we carry it out.

05-22-2010, 09:01 PM	#6
Adventurelover Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 74	I don't keep mine loaded but I too keep a clip right next to it. I have mine in a gun safe so it would take time to get it out but then all I have to do it load the clip, turn off the safety, and shoot.