Chances are, if you own a firearm for home defense, concealed carry, or just plain recreational shooting, you likely have at least a couple of magazines on hand that are loaded. Some of you probably have wondered whether it’s okay to leave them loaded for an extended period of time. Do magazine springs wear out from being loaded for a long time? If we look around the internet, we will get both a ‘yes’ and ‘no’ answer. So, what is the consensus on this issue?

What If I Want To Have A Bunch Of Loaded Magazines Just In Case?

This answer is a bit complex. We know that new magazines can be loaded and left alone for a long time without losing spring tension. But what we do not know, is all of the small variables acting on the magazine spring and follower. We do not always know what materials, metals or design flaws the magazine may have. Or to what extent the manufacturer’s quality control impacts long-term durability either. What we do know is that magazine springs and sometimes the followers can wear out with use. 

At the end of the day, magazines are expendable wear items, meaning that they are not meant to last forever. Naturally, like all manufactured goods, they are subject to decay and degradation as they are used over time. Specifically, loading and unloading magazines frequently can cause wear. With magazine springs, wear occurs primarily after the spring inside a magazine expands and contracts. If you are using a magazine a lot, you will be able to tell when the spring starts to loosen up and wear in. Initially, shooters will notice that magazines become much easier to load than before when the unit was fresh. After a steady service life, spring tension will continue to soften up and weaken, eventually increasing the likelihood of feeding malfunctions. 

Unfortunately, it is impossible to say with any certainty just how long it will take before the spring loses enough tension to start causing issues. Some springs may stay loaded for decades and still function, and others might wear out after a much shorter period of time.

More Than Just Springs

Of course, springs are not the only major component of magazines one should keep in mind in terms of magazine wear and the effects of keeping them loaded. Two other prominent areas to pay attention to include the feed lips and followers of your magazine of choice. Feed lips are subjected to upward tension and pressure due to their function of retaining rounds in a magazine. These components are often constructed from polymer, aluminum, or steel. Depending on the material, quality control, age of material, and other factors, these feed lips can fall into various states of disrepair. Feed lips can crack, warp, and bend if the conditions are right. Followers are also typically constructed of steel, aluminum, or polymer and can wear just like other magazine components. In addition to wear, these components can also become gummed up with grit and other fouling during the firing process, especially if suppressors are involved. In short, magazine maintenance areas extend beyond the springs.

So, What Now, What Does This All Mean?

The general consensus is to have a decent supply of magazines, and rotate them between the loaded and unloaded magazines. This includes inspecting them for dirt and debris that may be trapped inside and checking for broken or damaged followers and floorplates. If we want to be more specific, purchase high-quality magazines from a known manufacturer that has developed a good reputation in the industry. Companies like Mec-Gar, Magpul, Wilson Combat, and Glock come to mind among others. Doing so ensures that we have reliable and ready to use magazines that should, in theory, be reliable feeding devices for many years to come.

Some manufacturers will recommend rotation intervals along with service procedures (like every 90-100 days or so). It may be as simple as changing the spring. Other times, wiping the inside of the magazine out with a soft, lint-free cloth, and applying a light coat of oil to the exterior could also be recommended. Your level of care depends on your level of use and the conditions the firearm is exposed to. Always inspect your magazines to ensure they function properly.

That Is Not A ‘Yes’ Or ‘No’ Answer

We do not really think you will find an absolute answer on this topic. How long your magazines last is ultimately decided upon by how you treat them:

• If you conceal carry, you will want to check for lint and dust build up inside the magazine body. This includes the formation of rust due to sweat from being carried on/close to the body. Those things can add up over time and render a magazine inoperable when we need them to work most.
• If you have a rifle that gets used outdoors a lot, make sure the magazine is not full of fine sand, silt and dust that can create stoppages. Or, that it is not badly damaged from being dropped on hard ground and rocks. Rust can accumulate on the magazine spring and cause it to become brittle and break.
• If you have magazines loaded and set aside for long term storage, its not a bad idea to occasionally check on their condition and check them for proper function.

The Verdict

All in all, our goal here today is to get you thinking a bit more about your firearm magazines and that they are an expendable/wearable item. Some will last longer than others. We believe that keeping multiple spare magazines loaded and ready for use is a good idea for a number of reasons. There is nothing wrong with doing so, as long as you don’t neglect them. Just remember that magazines are ultimately disposable items and do not last forever, so expect to check up on them and maintain or replace them as needed. Need to purchase magazines or buy ammo to fill them with? Check out our deals at TrueShotAmmo.com! See you at the range!