No, storing a loaded magazine will not cause spring fatigue in a modern and well-made magazine as the spring is built to be compressed for extended periods of time. If you have an older firearm or antiques, and all of the parts are original, there is a chance the spring can be fatigued because of the older age and usage, or lower quality materials. It likely is not from storing a loaded magazine.
The majority of spring fatigue is a result of the compression and expansion of the spring while it is in use vs. a loaded magazine being static. This is similar to a plank of wood contracting and expanding as it absorbs and releases moisture. Over time the piece of wood will begin to warp, cup, or crack.
All technology wears down whether it is the spring in a magazine or a mattress, a gear in a truck, or a computer’s motherboard as it degrades. Without proper care and downtime by letting it stay compressed or expanded, you may speed up the time until the spring needs to be replaced.
Some signs that the spring in your magazine is fatigued and needs replaced include:
- The loader is not feeding as quickly or as accurately
- The spring is not as elastic or has changed its resting shape
- Chips and cracks in the follower (if the magazine has not been dropped and has been handled properly)
Oddly enough, loading and unloading the magazine over and over because you’re worried about spring fatigue will likely cause the spring to degrade and wear out faster as you’re now causing it to contract and expand more frequently. By keeping the spring in its ideal position of being fully loaded or unloaded, you can expect it to feed cartridges more reliably when in use.
All magazine springs need replaced from time to time, and each manufacturer has a different recommended period for when to replace the spring. Depending on the make and model some may say 1,000 rounds, and others may recommend 5 years and 5,000 rounds. You’ll find conflicting information on the different forums, but the telltale sign is when rounds are not feeding in as expected.
While storing a loaded magazine may not cause excess wear and tear on the spring, it could lead to other issues including:
- The feedlip deforming from the constant pressure of the magazine
- A potential increase for moisture to get trapped in, especially from concealed carry when you sweat or taking the magazine from cold to warm (and vice versa) climates, which can lead to corrosion as the moisture stays against corrosive materials
- Someone finding their way into your gun safe, including children or potential threats, and having access to a loaded weapon with extra rounds
The good news is that storing a loaded magazine won’t cause spring fatigue because the spring will not be contracting and expanding, but storing loaded firearms can lead to other issues with the firearm and potential safety hazards.
