Rotate mags?

[ConcealedXDm]

I am somewhat new to concealed carry and have heard/read about people rotating their carry mags. The argument is that keeping a mag fully loaded for to long is bad for the spring. So who does and who doesn't subscribe to this theory? If you do, how often do you rotate mags and why that often?

Thanks
D

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Stealie]

You don't have to change your mags out. The spring being compressed won't hurt them. I keep all mine loaded and have no problems. This guy did some experiments with his mag springs.

http://mcb-homis.com/magspring/index.htm

[rex03]

I rotate mine out every time I go to the range.. Once I come back, clean and load back up I use a different mag.

[Avenger]

I have two sets of two mags, now stay with me on this. I am an instructor at a range and I shoot EVERYDAY! I use one set of mags with hollowpoints for carry and one set of range rounds. My carry mags I rotate out ever other week and I subtract two rounds from each. I do believe in the spring loosing some tension when mags are fully loaded for extended periods. I personally have seen this happen and have had foul ups. My mag holds 16 rds, so I carry 14+1.

Now, my range mags, I dont really care so much about. I load them down all the time, however, I empty them all the time! They get used!! Hope it helps!

[Bunny]

I have 4, which rotate at the range as well. I was told the same thing about keeping them loaded wearing out the springs, but that if you rotate them monthly, it will keep the wear and tear to a minimum. Haven't had any experience with that yet though as I am a brand-new gun owner and the mags are also all new right now.

[TerriLi]

I rotate, but I also every few years stretch out my mag springs a bit. So far, one weapon we have has mags that are 20 years old, no failures with them.

[rhinokrk]

...The argument is that keeping a mag fully loaded for to long is bad for the spring...

Thanks
D

Being new to firearms, good question.

No worries on keeping mags loaded for years, I'd suggest rotating carry ammo a lot more than that though.

[rhinokrk]

I rotate, but I also every few years stretch out my mag springs a bit....

Not a fan of stretching springs. Springs are meant to be compressed (period).

[Stealie]

Being new to firearms, good question.

No worries on keeping mags loaded for years, I'd suggest rotating carry ammo a lot more than that though.

+1 on rotating ammo.

[Bando]

Don't stretch springs! These are made to have a particular tension and bending them out of parameter can cause a failure. This is a terrible idea. Quality springs don't retain much memory from staying loaded. Actually, they wear out from running ammo through them. Loading and firing stresses the springs more. Keeping them loaded is not bad for them. I have heard of individuals finding guns loaded since the 1940's that still had good tension in the spring.

[JAT40]

I only rotate to keep the wear & tear even on the equipment, uniformity in function and performance is important.

[Ram Rod]

I rotate my mags whenever I think about it or when I shoot up my carry ammo out of them.

[budokaitd]

I rotate once a week, always. I've had mag springs loosen up in the past and I won't let it happen again.

[hardlivin]

Compressing the springs does not wear them out, the cycling is what has an impact. Leaving the mag loaded for a year has less of an impact than emptying that same mag at the range everyday for a year.

[automatic slim]

The answer depends on the magazine. High quality mags such as Wilsons can be kept loaded indefinitely and always function reliably, Those of dubious manufacture can and do fail out of the wrap.
Don't let the quality of the gun be the determining factor either. High quality guns can come with crappy mags. When I was on my 1911 binge, I always replaced the factory mags with either Wilsons or McCormicks and never had a problem. I found the most notoriously unreliable mags were from Colt.