How long will a clip spring last?

rholland · May 30th, 2009, 12:29 PM

I shoot auto's mostly. I have one that I carry, and one in the house in my special spot. I'm darn near 60 and have never had this problem:
While re-certing for my CCL, I took a S&W M410 to qualify with.
Well, we had to load 5, shoot 5... load 5 more, shoot 5 more... you know the drill.
In every case my last round wouldn't chamber because the clip was misbehaving. This clip had been loaded pretty much to the max for months and in my 'special place' in case of trouble.
So, I have put that clip aside, and will get a spring to replace the weakened one. (Funny thing though is that with real ammo, not the stuff provided at that class, it has not malfunctioned again.)
OK, so someone tell me how to do it right!! Should you only load them at like 70 percent if you are going to keep them hot?
I've always loaded to the max, chambered one, put it on safety and left it like that for months at a time.
OK, someone tell me how to do it right!
Thanks,
Ron

Blackeagle · May 30th, 2009, 12:33 PM

Clips are not Magazines! Clips don't have springs. You're asking about magazine springs.

Leaving a magazine loaded isn't going to do the spring any harm. Springs get worn when you compress them and release them (such as loading and unloading the magazine) not when you keep them compressed. From your description, it sounds like it was probably an ammo problem, not a magazine problem.

Cupcake · May 30th, 2009, 02:45 PM

When was the last time you took the mag apart for a cleaning?

Drail · May 30th, 2009, 04:35 PM

Clips are those things they put on cheeseball holsters so that when you draw your gun it comes out with the holster still on it. Or causes you to lose your gun if things get physical. Don't trust anything that "clips" on to your belt.

rholland · May 30th, 2009, 05:31 PM

Thanks all. OK - sorry - so I'm asking about a magazine spring. I'm happy to hear that keeping it compressed (fullly loaded) will not cause it to weaken. I haven't taken it apart to clean it in over a year, but I don't use that one for shooting.. it stays loaded with my 'self defense' rounds.
AND, I appreciate being free to go... I've been told that stupidity is 90 percent of.... aw, nevermind.
Regards,
Ron

QKShooter · May 30th, 2009, 07:17 PM

OK. No more....."It's not a "Clip" - it's a Magazine!"

One or two corrective comments will suffice.

The OP "gets it" so let it alone.

sigmanluke · May 30th, 2009, 07:25 PM

I would reccomend getting a replacement spring wheather or not you install it. It's a good thing to have on hand just in case. I would also second the disassemble and clean the mag statement, I clean my mags every time I clean my gun.

rholland · May 30th, 2009, 09:59 PM

I do really appreciate you folks taking the time.
I used to reload, shoot a bunch and clean my magazines every session, but I really don't shoot that much anymore. And the mags don't look that bad.... I know, getting lazy.
Again thanks all.
Ron

May 30th, 2009, 12:29 PM	#1
rholland New Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 8	How long will a clip spring last? I shoot auto's mostly. I have one that I carry, and one in the house in my special spot. I'm darn near 60 and have never had this problem: While re-certing for my CCL, I took a S&W M410 to qualify with. Well, we had to load 5, shoot 5... load 5 more, shoot 5 more... you know the drill. In every case my last round wouldn't chamber because the clip was misbehaving. This clip had been loaded pretty much to the max for months and in my 'special place' in case of trouble. So, I have put that clip aside, and will get a spring to replace the weakened one. (Funny thing though is that with real ammo, not the stuff provided at that class, it has not malfunctioned again.) OK, so someone tell me how to do it right!! Should you only load them at like 70 percent if you are going to keep them hot? I've always loaded to the max, chambered one, put it on safety and left it like that for months at a time. OK, someone tell me how to do it right! Thanks, Ron

May 30th, 2009, 02:45 PM	#3
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,996	When was the last time you took the mag apart for a cleaning? __________________ Sixto for President!

May 30th, 2009, 07:25 PM	#7
sigmanluke Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 1,604	I would reccomend getting a replacement spring wheather or not you install it. It's a good thing to have on hand just in case. I would also second the disassemble and clean the mag statement, I clean my mags every time I clean my gun. __________________ "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

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May 30th, 2009, 12:33 PM	#2
Blackeagle Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 1,992	Clips are not Magazines! Clips don't have springs. You're asking about magazine springs. Leaving a magazine loaded isn't going to do the spring any harm. Springs get worn when you compress them and release them (such as loading and unloading the magazine) not when you keep them compressed. From your description, it sounds like it was probably an ammo problem, not a magazine problem.

May 30th, 2009, 04:35 PM	#4
Drail Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bloomington IN Posts: 57	Clips are those things they put on cheeseball holsters so that when you draw your gun it comes out with the holster still on it. Or causes you to lose your gun if things get physical. Don't trust anything that "clips" on to your belt.

May 30th, 2009, 05:31 PM	#5
rholland New Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 8	Thanks all. OK - sorry - so I'm asking about a magazine spring. I'm happy to hear that keeping it compressed (fullly loaded) will not cause it to weaken. I haven't taken it apart to clean it in over a year, but I don't use that one for shooting.. it stays loaded with my 'self defense' rounds. AND, I appreciate being free to go... I've been told that stupidity is 90 percent of.... aw, nevermind. Regards, Ron

May 30th, 2009, 07:17 PM	#6
QKShooter Assistant Administrator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Off Of The X Posts: 23,395	OK. No more....."It's not a "Clip" - it's a Magazine!" One or two corrective comments will suffice. The OP "gets it" so let it alone.

May 30th, 2009, 09:59 PM	#8
rholland New Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 8	I do really appreciate you folks taking the time. I used to reload, shoot a bunch and clean my magazines every session, but I really don't shoot that much anymore. And the mags don't look that bad.... I know, getting lazy. Again thanks all. Ron