Can leaving a shotgun loaded weaken the mag spring?

'75Scout · August 26, 2005, 07:17 PM

How likely is it that leaving the magazine tube loaded will weaken the spring over time? In an hd shotgun should the magazine be emptied often if it hasn't been fired for some time? If so, how often should the magazine be emptied?

Rpn1984 · August 26, 2005, 07:48 PM

ive heard that springs dont wear when there compressed

psycho nut · August 26, 2005, 09:36 PM

It hasn't affected me at all, I have the tube full constantly and have no problems

BigFunWMU · August 26, 2005, 09:43 PM

Yes, leaving the gun loaded will weaken the spring. But frequent loading and unloading will also. It's one of those things that comes along with general use.

On the bright side, it takes a lot of wear before the mag spring in your average pump shotgun craps out. LOTS of wear.

You should have no problems from that particular part while leaving your gun loaded, but there are a few other reasons to function check every few months or so. Just to make sure there is no rust, or crud inside it. That kind of stuff tends to accumulate faster in an uncased gun. Once again it takes a LOT to prevent function, but its an easy thing to do, and it adds an extra sense of security to the whole operation.

Shoot safe
BigFunWMU

Dfariswheel · August 26, 2005, 11:12 PM

The big danger with leaving shotgun magazines loaded long term isn't the spring.

The danger is shotshell compression.
The constant pressure causes the plastic cases to compress and develop bulges between the case head and the shot column.

These bulges can cause stoppages.

The fix, is to shoot up the old ammo.
Taking the shells out of the magazine and "resting them" won't work.

The bulges don't go away, and as soon as they're put in a magazine again, the bulging continues where it stopped.

Another aid to reduce compression is to buy Premium brand American made shells.
The plastic seems to stand up better than cheap ammo or foreign made ammo.

Death from Afar · August 27, 2005, 09:15 PM

Dfariswheel is dead right. Particularly with extension magazines, the higher tension spring can "mash" a shotshell, and you will have problems when you need the gun in a hurry. I may get flamed for this, but this is another reason not to have the gun loaded at all times. If you do, you MUST cycle the ammo regularly.

August 26, 2005, 07:17 PM	#1
'75Scout Senior Member Join Date: August 3, 2005 Location: Central Texas Posts: 815	Can leaving a shotgun loaded weaken the mag spring? How likely is it that leaving the magazine tube loaded will weaken the spring over time? In an hd shotgun should the magazine be emptied often if it hasn't been fired for some time? If so, how often should the magazine be emptied?

August 26, 2005, 09:36 PM	#3
psycho nut Senior Member Join Date: June 3, 2005 Location: Nebraska Posts: 480	spring It hasn't affected me at all, I have the tube full constantly and have no problems __________________ I can't spel.

August 27, 2005, 09:15 PM	#6
Death from Afar Senior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Living the dream in Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND Posts: 1,635	Dfariswheel is dead right. Particularly with extension magazines, the higher tension spring can "mash" a shotshell, and you will have problems when you need the gun in a hurry. I may get flamed for this, but this is another reason not to have the gun loaded at all times. If you do, you MUST cycle the ammo regularly. __________________ "Beware of the Man with one gun...he probably isnt into guns enough to be safe with it".

August 26, 2005, 07:48 PM	#2
Rpn1984 Junior member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Posts: 72	ive heard that springs dont wear when there compressed

August 26, 2005, 09:43 PM	#4
BigFunWMU Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Posts: 304	Yes, leaving the gun loaded will weaken the spring. But frequent loading and unloading will also. It's one of those things that comes along with general use. On the bright side, it takes a lot of wear before the mag spring in your average pump shotgun craps out. LOTS of wear. You should have no problems from that particular part while leaving your gun loaded, but there are a few other reasons to function check every few months or so. Just to make sure there is no rust, or crud inside it. That kind of stuff tends to accumulate faster in an uncased gun. Once again it takes a LOT to prevent function, but its an easy thing to do, and it adds an extra sense of security to the whole operation. Shoot safe BigFunWMU

August 26, 2005, 11:12 PM	#5
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The big danger with leaving shotgun magazines loaded long term isn't the spring. The danger is shotshell compression. The constant pressure causes the plastic cases to compress and develop bulges between the case head and the shot column. These bulges can cause stoppages. The fix, is to shoot up the old ammo. Taking the shells out of the magazine and "resting them" won't work. The bulges don't go away, and as soon as they're put in a magazine again, the bulging continues where it stopped. Another aid to reduce compression is to buy Premium brand American made shells. The plastic seems to stand up better than cheap ammo or foreign made ammo.