Gun question. Old mags, big problem.

me | 03/19/2002

[BigBlueJon]

What to do about spring fatigue in mags.

[BigBlueJon]

Vanity question. I've got some mags with rounds in them that haven't been changed out in a while. I know that's bad, but, out of sight, out of mind. What can I do? Can they be fixed?

[BigBlueJon]

Bump for info. Where is everybody?

[Vigilantcitizen]

"Vanity question. I've got some mags with rounds in them that haven't been changed out in a while. I know that's bad, but, out of sight, out of mind. What can I do? Can they be fixed?"

What kinda mags are they? Pistol, rifle, caliber, etc...

One old trick; take the ammo out, then place the mags in a WARM oven for 2 hours, then take them out and let sit for 48 hours.Lubricate with white lithium grease.

With the proper equipment, some mag springs can be changed.

But, you should never let rounds sit in a magazine for a long period of time.

[BigBlueJon]

Thanks. They are pistol. 9mm. They were in a ready-to-go bag that I had forgotten about. I know, my bad. They won't feed right now, and I don't want to junk them.

[KrisKrinkle]

Theoretically, yes. Depends on how the magzine is constructed. I've seen some .22 cal mags with a "button" on the side that fits into what I'll call the carrier on which the bullet rests and the spring pushes. If that comes out (I did it by accident the first time) the carrier will come out of the top of the magazine and so might the spring--in a hurry. You'd need to cover the top of the mag with your finger, and maybe need a narrow tool to push the carrier part way down the mag.

I've seen other mags that seem to have the bottom plate held in by drift pins. You'd need the appropriate tools to get them open.

Still other mags seem to be glued, soldered molded or crimped together. The problem might be where to get the correct replacement spring. I haven't seen any, but then I haven't looked.

Check with a gunshop to see if they can get them repaired for you.

[BigBlueJon]

Thanks. I thought about taking them to a local gun shop, but some of the mags are "pre-ban". Here in CA a lot of gun dealers don't want to touch them.

[farmfriend]

ping a couple more?

[glock rocks]

what brand of pistol and mag?

[Shooter 2.5]

Two things that go wrong on magazines that have been loaded for a long time is the spring may get weak or the tension on the feed lips of the magazine start to push upward. The springs can be replaced or stretched and the libs can be reshaped. I never grease my magazines because of the dirt that can be picked up. The grease and dirt get on the cartridges and then all of that goes into the chamber. Disassmbling most commercial mags take a pin to push up a detent pin on the floor plate. If the mags are one piece push the follower down about an inch and a half, push a pin through one of the holes to hold back the spring and then fish out the follower with a allen wrench.

[BigBlueJon]

Ruger P85/P89 factory mags.

[BigBlueJon]

If I disassemble them, what do I do about the springs?

[Shooter 2.5]

You can try carefully stretching them and make sure you don't change the angle on the ends. Doing so will change the angle of the follower. The angle of the cartridge and follower should be a little higher than the lips, not parallel. I have bought new springs for my 1911 but I don't know about others.

[PatrioticAmerican]

Manufacturers usually provide mag rebuld kits that include springs.

[BigBlueJon]

Thanks for the info.

[TEXASPROUD]

Get in contact with Wolff Spring company or the company that made the gun. They may have the replacement springs for your mags.

[S.O.S121.500]

Most black (iron/steel) smiths can restore and even improve follower springs.....take the entire magazine to the forge.

[Servant of the Nine]

Wolfe Gunsprings

They have springs for every mag known to man.
I replace all of mine every 2 years just to make sure.

So9

[BigBlueJon]

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.