bkmk
For Magpul AR magazines I skip the lube. I also store them downloaded one round to 29, and use the Magpul magazine dust covers which push down on the rounds, relieving pressure from the polymer feed lips.
Depends on the mag. I have Ruger factory mags that have been full of 45acp for years and they function properly. Cheap gun show AR-15 mags, not so much. Properly tempered spring steel will last as long as you will.
My AK and Ar mags are all metal, I keep them loaded. Pistol mags can be a pain to get last one loaded so they get filled too, not worried about springs.
Armoror told me long time ago modern steel is only worn by repeated loading/unloading cycles, storing full or empty mags makes no difference.
FYI PING
The only magazines that I have had trouble with over the years are cheap Chinese replacements. Most of them are OK for fooling around with... but sometimes it is not that great of an idea to save a few bucks on something that could fail at a critical moment. Some of them are easily damaged by normal handling and some just are screwed up to begin with.
28 in a 30 round mag. First 3 loaded are tracer...that way, when tracer lights off, time to reload!
👍
I prefer a full function test......
I don’t need a magazine or a clip. all my weapons have a 100 round chambers.
My mags are bone dry. Sand and dirt just dust off.
Russian AK mags, NOT the us made copies, I would load full. WAY overbuilt, and sturdy. Get some Russian ammo, hard to find, and you got a very reliable mag full of ammo. Gun I would also use Saiga brand names, but will last forever.
ARs are good, l like them as well and Magpull is pretty good and with the cover that relieves the tension on the lips of the mag I would not have a problem with storing them full.
I have yet to have a spring fail me because it was over used. Generally it is not that it is under tension but how many times it has been cycled as I understand.
Taken to the range, They ALL functioned perfectly.
That is not a recommendation. Just an anecdote.
2 full with periodic changing.(4 months here) and all the rest on stripper clips... ...been that same way since Waco!!
Do the valve springs in a car’s engine or the coil springs on its shock absorbers wear out if the car sits parked 100 for years?
No, of course it doesn’t.
So what idiot started the rumor that magazine springs wear out if you leave them loaded?