AR-15 question!

[TonyE]

How long can I keep a loaded 223/ 30 round magazine? Will the spring still be in good shape after six months?

[Chuck R.]

You shouldn't have any problem.

From everything I've read and learned, it's the cycling of the spring that where's them out, not leaving them under tension. Some of mine have been loaded close to a year now. I used them in a carbine class a couple weeks ago and didn't have a single problem for over 500 rounds.

Here's a pretty good article about it:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...27/ai_99130369

Chuck

[radiofish]

Are they Colt factory magazines, or some off brand aftermarket 30 round magazines??

Well my experience using the Colt M-16A1 in the US Marine Corps, we always loaded 28 rounds in the 30 round Colt factory magazines. That was so the magazine springs weren't fully compressed. Just watch that the magazine follower doesn't jam/ hang up, and you should be good to go.



I also tend to load my other weapons magazines 1 or 2 rounds less than full capacity, for the same reason, that the Marines taught me

[Chuck R.]

A lot of guys also download them a couple rounds becasue a full 30 round GI mag can be a PITA to seat in the rifle.

I've switched to Magpul P-Mags which were designed with a slightly longer body and there's no problem with fully loading them.

Chuck

[TonyE]

Thanks guys for the info. I have "bushmaster" 30 round clips and a couple of UK off brand clips.

[Pops2]

IME the bigger problem w/ loading full mags is that 2 rounds are side by side in the mag rather than offset.
i go w/ 27 and six months then rotate for my AK mags.
my combat load mags are at 30 and i cycle them around everytwo months. that is it unload 2 this month and use the rounds to fill my two extra mags then next month i do the same and so on.

[tallpaul]

www.ar15.com

[Gideon]

I never totally load my storage mags. For 30s I put 20. For M1A 20s I put 15 Same for the AK/SKS mags. Most of my mags are empty but with plenty of stripper clips and ammo with them. All my pistol mags are at 3/4 capacity. I had rather keep an extra mag than pack my springs down. If you are in a "using" situation then load them up by all means and wish you had more. If you take care of your equipment-it will take care of you, wc