Castle

I recently purchased an SP2022 in .40, primarily to be used for home defense.
It only came with one 10 rd. magazine.
I like to keep the weapon with a loaded mag in the grip, in an electronic safe next to my bed for quick access in case of an emergency.

My concern is that the keeping the mag spring compressed over a long period of time will weaken the spring and diminish its ability to feed properly. Ideally I would have 2-3 mags and cycle them out as my "ready for action" magazine, but as you all know there is a somewhat of a drought in the mag market these days.

How long can I continue keeping this magazine jam-packed with hollow points before I have to worry about it affecting the performance? I work in the metals industry, so common sense tells me that the spring WILL lose tension/compression(?) eventually. I'm just not sure how long these things are built to last.

Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your time.

bearone2

keeping it loaded doesn't weaken the spring but loading/unloading does.

i change-out monthly.

steveg

Very good question, Castle. I look forward to answers...

Steve

P.S. I am wrestling with the whole "home defense" idea also. Not sure how to keep the gun ready to be used if necessary, and yet safe, at the same time...

SIGmund Frued

They will keep much longer than you think! I've also heard that its the cycling that wears them out and not the act of keeping a loaded mag.

With that said, I tend to load one less than the mag will hold to keep it from having too much tension.

SauerSig

I change out my loaded mag every 4-months.

DBS

^This.

Prolonged compression of a spring does not impart wear; wear is a consequence of repeated cycles of compression/decompression.

Storing your mags loaded is fine for your mag springs.

Castle

I spent a good amount of time deciding on my "system" as well. I considered that a safe was non-negotiable, even though I only live with my girlfriend. You could end up with someone snooping around your residence in a variety of seemingly normal situations, and the last thing I would ever want is for someone to mistakenly hurt/kill themselves/others with my firearm. I feel comfortable keeping it loaded, but with a few solid safety measures that stand between the unwanted handler and a firearm that's "ready to go".

...seems like ^This is actually common sense. Noted. Thank you very much for the advice.

Mystro

I store all my magazines loaded.

GreyCoupe

I rotate, but nothing lasts forever. Springs are replaceable.

SouthernYankee

The springs last a VERY long time. You can tell when they begin to wear by how they perform at the range (after years and years). Then merely replace the spring easily ordered on line. For you guy's who just throw out your mag's, please PM me and I'll pay the shipping to get your OLD MAGS. I'm just trying to do my part for the environment.

SIGZilla

When you store loaded magazines, do you load to the full 10 or load less? I used to keep my glock 17 (pre-ban CA) loaded with 10 out of 17 rounds, but my CA legal P226 only holds 10 rounds

JMC24  

I load my Sigs with 10 rounds (CA limit) and then rack the slide leaving 9 in the magazine. Don't know if it really makes a difference, but I figure not placing the spring under maximum pressure will extend it's life.

Beau

I read somewhere you you can stretch them out a bit and bake them in an oven at 350 for 30 minutes to retemper them. I'm not sure if this really works and if that heat is high enough to do the job, but I have done it. I rotate my mags every month but probably don't have to do it

Cybercowboy

The modern consensus is that mag springs do not wear out appreciably by leaving the magazine fully loaded or partially loaded. There are true stories of fully loaded 1911 magazines being found that were over 60 years old and when inserted into a firearm shot flawlessly.

ThnkFrst

You might consider the option of a Speed Vault 500 by Gun Vault. I wrote about it in this thread:Small gun safes..

SouthernYankee

Stop all this talk about the springs lasting for years and years under load (they do), and let me recycle your used mags for you after you feel they must cease to be trusted . Comfort level is important and I will take your worn out spring mags into a happy working retirement. I'm just trying to do my part .

Castle

I keep it with 9 in the mag. I figured it might be a little easier on the spring, but from im reading it looks like it won't matter much.

steveg

ThnkFrst --

Thanks much -- headed to your thread momentarily. Again, this being my first foray into handgun ownership, it seems a bit challenging to balance appropriate levels of "safety" with the somewhat competing necessity of also having the gun available in a home defense scenario...perhaps this small safe thing is a solution...

THANKS!
Steve

SiGDaK

I only load the magazines of the sidearms I carry.

ThnkFrst

Read it over and let me know if you have any questions. I'm new to this as well but am willing to share.

I would add one thing to my comments back then. I purchased the "biometric" model which was considerably more than the model with the keypad. My thought was that I could open it more quickly and reliably at night if the need arose. As it turns out, I just open the drawer before turning in at night and close it in the morning; could do that just as easily with the cheaper model.