Mags....leave loaded or unloaded?

[Texan2]

Two different lines of thinking on this. Perhaps it has been discussed but I didnt see a thread.

So....

Leave your mags loaded for long term storage or unloaded? Explain your opinion.

Go.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

Loaded.
I'm lazy.

 

[Vaquero]

In our current political climate, I'm not leaving any unloaded.

 

[txbikerman]

leave them loaded, lazy as well

 

[txbikerman]

In our current political climate, I'm not leaving any unloaded.

+1

 

[Texan2]

I like all these answers.

 

[rsayloriii]

Loaded/unloaded doesn't matter from the magazine's perspective. As far as wear goes, it's using them that wears them out, not sitting on a shelf. I prefer loaded myself. An empty magazine does no good when it is needed.

sent from deep space

 

[Texan2]

I have an opinion on this, but wanted others input before I posted my own.

 

[Jeffrey]

Another vote for "Loaded".

 

[Acera]

I have a good number loaded, however I also have a larger number brand new in the wrappers. I will keep it that way for the foreseeable future. Most every gun I own that takes a one has a ample supply of new, unused magazines saved for a rainy day.

 

[TXDARKHORSE361]

Personally I leave them loaded with the exception of those I've shot and haven't reloaded yet. Two reasons a firearm not ready to go will do me no good if needed quickly and mags are wear items, if you constantly load and unload the spring will eventually wear out but will keep just fine if loaded and compressed just sitting there.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Loaded...except for the spares......an' yeah, I've got a few now......

 

[Shorts]

Depends on which mags but no problem leaving any loaded. Mag springs wear out from the cycling of compression and extension. Leaving them compressed & loaded won't bug them too much. Also, mags for any gun should be considered a consumable item. Springs especially, mag bodies & followers should be inspected as well.

 

[TheDan]

Depends on the magazine... I used to leave a few MSAR mags loaded all the time, but the ones I left loaded stopped feeding reliably. The ones I did not keep loaded still work. I'm guessing the feed lips warped from the pressure. Kinda soured me on the MSAR being a serious weapon. Reinforced feed lips would fix this...

I've never had that issue with any other magazines however, and I keep those loaded. An unloaded magazine is pointless.

 

[shooterfpga]

I keep all my mags loaded except for a few in case i feel like dutch loading or dropping something special in em. This includes supposedly defective magazines that were to be destroyed. Theyve been to hell and back and still function awesome. Same issued spring, same follower.

 

[Shotgun Jeremy]

Steel springs do not memorize and adapt-they only wear out from use.

For those who are having feed lip issues on polymer mags, Lancer mags come with steel lips.

 

[Green Eye Tactical]

Left 20 HK steel mags fully loaded with 30rds each for 4 years in a storage unit in NC while I was overseas. No temp or humidity control. Fired them on a range- Not one misfeed.

No reason to not leave them loaded.

 

[Texan2]

I have not had any issues with PMAGS left loaded for long periods.

 

[sonuvaTXgun]

I don't have any unloaded mags in my house for convenience sake.

 

[TheDan]

I have not had any issues with PMAGS left loaded for long periods.

Did you use the dust covers? I've often wondered if they would deform like the MSAR mags do without the dust cover taking pressure off the feed lips.