Keeping Magazines Loaded?

[Ranger]

I've always been of the thought that keeping your magazines loaded is not a good idea as the magazine spring wears out and can cause misfeeds. For this reason I've always kept a revolver for my home defense weapon since I don't think even my magazine speedloaders would help me in a pinch .

That being said, I have noticed quite a few folks keep their AR mags fully loaded and "at the ready". One guy I talked to had over 100 magazines loaded and in ammo cans in case he had to "bug out".

What are your thoughts on this?

[Batteriesnare]

With recent political ongoings, I've been keeping most of my mags loaded all the time. I use a cycling system, where I keep some loaded for three weeks or so with the same number unloaded, and switch them every three weeks. While this does mean I have a grand collection of mags, it seems to allow the springs to rejuvenate to the point where I've never had a jam. Just be sure if you have PMAGS that you use the feed lip cover to take the stress off the feed lips!

[Ranger]

Personally I have always kept my on stripper clips so I can fit more in a can (big pointy bullets rattling around other pointy bullets with primers never seems a good idea). Stripper clips can be loaded fast enough, but obviously having ready magazines would be ideal.

[The Rat]

Leaving magazines loaded does not fatigue the springs. Being cycled fatigues the springs. It is perfectly OK to leave magazines loaded.

HOWEVER there is one caveat when you are dealing with thin-bodied aluminum AR15/M16 magazines. Leaving those loaded for long periods of time can cause the feed lips to slowly start to spread. This of course results in an increased chance of double feeds.

All that being said, I don't think the political situation is so precarious that you need to keep loaded AR mags at the ready. This isn't some volatile place like downtown Mosul or anything.

[Rampart Runner]

I always keep mine loaded but the 20 rounders I only load to 19. I have never had a problem.

[kwando]

always keep mine loaded as well...

[Ranger]

I have googled around and not been able to find a cover to protect the feed lip, any suggestions?

[Dr_Fwd]

all the magazines (rifle and pistol) at my place are loaded all the time.

[Ridge]

Always loaded. Pistol and rifle both have a loaded mag on an empty chamber.

[sniper7]

Always loaded. Tests have been done and function was fine even after 10+ years of loaded storage.

If you are that concerned, but extra springs for all your mags, and replace the old ones after 5 years if you don't use them.