[Unclenick]

They take a set over time. That can lead to less consistent ignition and greater velocity spread. That doesn't mean the guns stop firing, though, and certainly, in something like a pistol round at normal ranges, there's just no advantage to that last little bit of velocity consistency as the gun's inherent accuracy limits spread the groups more. It does matter to 1000-yard shooters, though. I believe Bart B. said he and the other Palma team shooters were replacing their springs every 6 or 7 years even if they'd just been sitting unused.