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Storage of ammo in mags, long/short term?

Posted on 1/13/17 at 12:52 pm
Posted by Floating Change Up
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Member since Dec 2013
11835 posts
Posted on 1/13/17 at 12:52 pm
So, I picked up a Browning FMJ safe to secure my guns and some other items. I still have quite a bit of space due to the fact that I took everyone's advice on this board and bought a safe much larger than I "need".

I have 10 mags for my FN AR, 12 mags for my M&P 15-22, and four or five extras for my hand-guns. Between 9mm, 5.56, and .45ACP and 22LR, I have several thousand rounds of ammo -- no, I'm not hoarding, I just buy bulk so that I don't have to worry about buying ammo every time I hit the range. I find that being prepared in advance allows me to be more spontaneous on my shooting sessions.

Question is, what's the consensus on storing all of my mags fully loaded? I always keep my Sig 1911 ready to go with for home defense. Same with my XDM 9mm. Can I load all of my AR mags and have them ready to go? My thinking is, if I have my mags loaded and stored in the safe, it might allow me a few extra trips to the range each year because I'd be ready for a spur-of-the-moment trip.

Any thoughts/recommendations. I searched and didn't see any threads on this topic. Seems a lot of the "experts" are split 50/50 on the subject. Apparently most LEOs subscribe to a 90 day rotation -- I typically hit the range more frequently than that -- but not always -- just depends on my travel schedule. Off topic, I do find myself headed to the range immediately upon returning home from my trips to the ME. Not sure what that says about me - if anything.
Posted by ChatRabbit77
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2013
5857 posts
Posted on 1/13/17 at 1:08 pm to
quote:

Question is, what's the consensus on storing all of my mags fully loaded?

The only thing that will make springs weak is the motion of compression and expansion. One or the other won't do anything. My advice is to keep them loaded.
Posted by TU Rob
Birmingham
Member since Nov 2008
12727 posts
Posted on 1/13/17 at 1:58 pm to
quote:

The only thing that will make springs weak is the motion of compression and expansion. One or the other won't do anything. My advice is to keep them loaded.


Exactly. They're not going to be noticeably weaker over time unless you're using them a ton. I keep all of mine loaded.
Posted by Chris4x4gill2
North Alabama
Member since Nov 2008
3092 posts
Posted on 1/13/17 at 2:37 pm to
As the others have said.... loaded / unloaded makes no difference. It is cycling the spring that wears them out.
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