Aunt Jen Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Is it okay for the clip spring in most semi-automatic pistols to be depressed most of the way over a long period of time? Will it decrease their effectiveness? (What were you thinking? ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yes, that's OK as long as you don't put it in backwards after dropping all your mags in a bunch of sand during a match. Don't ask, just trust me. JHC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Jen Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 Yes, that's OK as long as you don't put it in backwards after dropping all your mags in a bunch of sand during a match. Don't ask, just trust me. JHC Really? Is it okay to put it in backwards if I DON'T drop it in the sand? (Kidding) Really: leaving a mag full of rounds for a looooong time won't kind of leave the spring in a compressed state? Sort of? It'll still work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Dave Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Opinions vary. some say the mag spring lose it's spring being compressed for a long time. Others say hogwash, you are fine, leave 'em all loaded. I rotate mine when I happen to think about it, which isn't very often. Use high quality magazines and if one gets a bit flaky in practice, time to toss it IMO. Also new magazines should be tested for function by running fully loaded thru the gun at least several times. Just because it's the same brand etc as magazines that have worked well in that gun, you NEED to KNOW that a particular magazine works. I'm sure some of the other folks will chime in who know much more than I ever will, but there you have my opinion. Grizz Edit, also practice and test with your expensive self defense ammo, not just cheaper ammo. You need to know how it feeds and shoots before you need to rely on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 A. No it's still not OK, less'n you want to turn a perfectly good Colt Gold Cup into a jam-a-matic. Don't ask. B. Naw, it won't hurt. Of course you didn't really define "long time". 1911's are only 100 years old. I guess you could load one and bury it in a time capsule. 500 years from now they might have proved us wrong. It's pretty safe to say that time the spring gives out (if it does) we won't be around to worry about it. On the other hand, like Griz said, if it gives you peace of mind, rotate mags or replace the springs periodically. Kinda like changing oil. Owners manuals say every 5K miles, oil change places say every 3K. Also kinda like loadin' black powder thru plastic hoppers and progressive loaders. I think the threat of igniting black powder with static electricity is pure BS! But that Romax I have running from my presses and powder measures to the copper stake in the ground makes me feel better. Especially when I wet the ground down around it. Can't hurt nothing to have a good ground! Ya pays yer money and takes yer chances. JHC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big50 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Really? Is it okay to put it in backwards if I DON'T drop it in the sand? (Kidding) Really: leaving a mag full of rounds for a looooong time won't kind of leave the spring in a compressed state? Sort of? It'll still work? Back in the old days....LOL That sounds so weird..Anyway 30 or so years ago most folks who carried Automatics, at least 1911's and kept them loaded and kept "spare" loaded mags only loaded 5 in the spare mags. Spring technology has gotten a lot better and now a days you see mags that have flat coiled springs. Rotate the loaded reserve mags during practice and you should not have a problem. I kept a standard G.I. issue 1911 magazine fully loaded (7 rounds) for over 8 years just to see if there were any truth to the legend. The magazine was a 1950's G.I. mag. In my case the mag did not function properly when I tried to use it. It had repeated "Failure to load" issues at the sixth round. Just my experience. I am sure your mileage will vary. P.S. I agree/concur with Grizzly Dave 100% about practicing with the ammo you intend to use/carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colorado Coffinmaker Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Jen, Yep. Even if you leave the mag loaded for a "while" the springs will still work just fine. That is one of the beauties of coil wire springs. Not uncommon for police and military (absent minded citizens too) to leave mags loaded for (gasp!!!) ..... Years! Coffinmaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodine Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Even my "beater gun", (which is a cheapo Norinco Tokarev in 9mm) and goes everywhere with me, stays loaded all the time, six clips all loaded full all the time, funtions flawlessly everytime I squeeze the trigger. I've left them loaded as long as three years (maybe more) without doing anything other than making sure they are clean and not rusty. I bought it in 1991. Same for my AMT stainless Hardballer .45 auto which is my favorite choice when I ain't doing dirtywork around the farm. Bodine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShadowCatcher Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Is it okay for the clip spring in most semi-automatic pistols to be depressed most of the way over a long period of time? Will it decrease their effectiveness? (What were you thinking? ) Anecdotal info - don't bet your life on it - there are cases of 1911's being left cocked and locked for 40 - 50 years with no problem for either the mag or the mainspring. There are cases of Browning Hi-Power mags being capable of jamming with 13 in the mag from day one . . . . I tend to swap all my magazine springs every couple of years (in my carry guns), as well as the mainsprings and recoil springs every few thousand rounds - because it only cost a few dollars and I'm worth oh so much more. Likewise I shoot up ALL my carry ammo every year and replace with fresh for the exact same reason. When I look at how much I spend on CAS playing, or even decent wine with dinner, the cost of springs and new ammo every year is a pittance, but the peace of mind is invaluable. For game guns I wait till the first problems show themselves, then I do a complete replacement for all of them. Carry guns is important - game guns is . . not so important . . . . Shadow Catcher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apache Hawk 60642 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 AJ, as one who has used a 1911A1 in combat, I think I would get quailty (top $$$) mags and load them full expect do not put the last round in the mag as it causes the spring to compress and like Big 50 said, may stop feeding on you when you need it most. Just my 2 centovs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Jen Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 With mine, over the years, with a 10 round clip, I generally leave it with only 6 in there, so as not to depress the spring too much. And they've always operated fine. But I know it's been a controversial subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gabby the frog 21716 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 i unload and rotate anyhow dont know why just been doing it forever, comes in saying once of prevention gabby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deja Vous Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 AJ you are funny.. If you are depressed too long.. you need to get unpressed often.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Mo Hare, SASS #45984 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 There is a formula for the behavior of a spring (hooke's law). "Time spent compressed" is not part of that formula. It does not matter how long your magazine is loaded Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEAD BANE, SASS 70197 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 As a patrolman in Security Forces, USAF, my primary use of force was my M9 Beretta. Every shift I drew my firearm and loaded mags from the armory. For the first 4 years of my time at LRAFB I drew the same loaded mags from the armory. At the end of shift once in a while I would empty my mags and disassemble my mags for a good cleaning. To say they lost some tension over those four years is an understatement. I had to obtain all parts from combat arms section to replace in my firearms and such and they were not a giving bunch. As a civilian I can purchase mags springs and recoil springs for not much. I replace both every one to two years. Cheap peace of mind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tex Jones, SASS 2263 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Jeff Cooper told a story that when he went away for WW II he left his wife a .45 and a couple of loaded magazines. When he returned 4 yrs later the mags worked just as well as they had when he loaded them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah Bob #35998 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 It's okay to leave the springs compressed for a long period of time. However some people become depressed over having their springs compressed. If the springs become limp when they get old, try rubbing them with a mixture of Breakfree and Viagra. If you get depressed because your springs are compressed, just put Blazing Saddles in the dvd player. If the people in Syria had more guns with full mags, they wouldn't be so oppressed. But we can't really tell what's going on because the reporting from there is being suppressed. It's after sunup. I'd better get dressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Buckshot, SASS #2901 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 OMG Bob! That was freakin' hilarious!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 UB Looks like a POEM is trying to get out . AJ Springs can take a set after some time being conpressed , BUT , I have seen old 45 mags , run just fine after being loaded for 20+ years . CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss Hoss Fly #63711 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Really? Is it okay to put it in backwards if I DON'T drop it in the sand? (Kidding) Really: leaving a mag full of rounds for a looooong time won't kind of leave the spring in a compressed state? Sort of? It'll still work? Wont hurt a thing- Its the usein that causes wear on the spring- not the constant depression--- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss Hoss Fly #63711 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 It's okay to leave the springs compressed for a long period of time. However some people become depressed over having their springs compressed. If the springs become limp when they get old, try rubbing them with a mixture of Breakfree and Viagra. If you get depressed because your springs are compressed, just put Blazing Saddles in the dvd player. If the people in Syria had more guns with full mags, they wouldn't be so oppressed. But we can't really tell what's going on because the reporting from there is being suppressed. It's after sunup. I'd better get dressed. Bob, ya quack me up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaky Gun Runner SASS 79775 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Well, I am a believer in Murphy. A few years back I decided I shoot a 1911 better than about anything else and have since aquired a few. Since I have the same model of pistol I bought a bunch of mags that fits them all. So, every year I take the mags for my carry gun and put them in the general use hopper, take some mags out of the same hopper, and then I install new springs in those. So every year I have new springs in my carry gun and mags and still end up changing out the springs in the other ones about once every 6 or 7 years. Oh, as an FYI I also kill a chicken to determine when the best time to do this will be and only naked under a full moon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Jen Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 AJ you are funny.. If you are depressed too long.. you need to get unpressed often.. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aunt Jen Posted August 5, 2011 Author Share Posted August 5, 2011 It's okay to leave the springs compressed for a long period of time. However some people become depressed over having their springs compressed. If the springs become limp when they get old, try rubbing them with a mixture of Breakfree and Viagra. If you get depressed because your springs are compressed, just put Blazing Saddles in the dvd player. If the people in Syria had more guns with full mags, they wouldn't be so oppressed. But we can't really tell what's going on because the reporting from there is being suppressed. It's after sunup. I'd better get dressed. My thinking exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Windshadow Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 After My Dad Died In the mid 80s; I was clearing out some of his stuff and in a B-4 bag in the attic I found a bunch of web gear including a leather WW II Mag pouch quite sweat stained and with His WW II rank and info written on the inside of the flap these were the old sort of 1911 mag with the lanyard loop on the bottom plate and both were full of FA 1942 Ammo.... and were free of rust but also dry of visible oil: I Gave a bunch of his web gear to a collector friend and then put the leather pouch with its full mags in a spot in the back of the safe and again forgot about them till I moved to Maine 6 years ago at which time I "found them again and I took one of them to the range and put it in Dad's 1911 (this was not a real A1 but had been modified by his company armorer during the war with the arched grip housing with a lanyard loop... (The pistol was My grandfathers in WW I and is something of a family heirloom Dad had target sights mounted on it in the 70s and it is a fine shooter) I popped in this old loaded mag (at a guess as never saw the pouch or any of the gear in use till I 'discovered it in the mid 80s) that had been loaded sometime between 1942 and 1958 when Dad Retired from the Army) and it fed just as well and any other..... I must have about 12 to 16 1911 mags and none of them are less than 40 years old and non of them have ever had any failures to feed outside of a problem with one box of reloaded SWC ammo back in the 90s That I think was down to sloppy reloading practice.... So not saying that you could not have tired springs depending on batch and age and mistreatment.... just that I have never seen it in any of mine.... (I would worry about a SS Spring in a SS mag (if I owned one) first though if I was to worry about any of them as what spring problems I have had elsewhere in my live as a basement repairman of assorted gadgets it has been SS springs (that fail to be attracted to a magnet ) that have caused me the most grief) Windy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLACKFOOT SASS #11947 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 Some say yes, some say no. I knew of a 1911 that sat for 50 years with the magazine fully loaded. (It was GI stuff) When fired it worked perfectly. Some say the spring will take a "set" but when realesed it will over time return to it's original cast. What it boils down to is that I will not worry about it. If one of mine remains compressed for 50 years and fails I won't worry about that either. I believe the navy had a practice of loading only 5 roundsin their 1911 magazines because they thought the spring would be damaged with more. In the army I loaded 7 and the only reason that I didn't load more was because 7 was all it would hold. Blackfoot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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