How long can you leave magazines loaded for?

Published on May 16, 2022
Duration: 0:27

This video tests the long-term reliability of loaded AR-15 magazines, specifically addressing concerns about spring compression and feed lip spreading. Three Center Industries Corp. magazines loaded with 28 rounds since 2005 were subjected to live-fire testing after nearly two decades. The results demonstrated that these magazines could still reliably feed ammunition, suggesting that long-term loaded storage may not significantly degrade performance for well-made magazines.

Quick Summary

Quality rifle magazines can be stored loaded long-term. A 15-year test showed Center Industries Corp. AR-15 magazines loaded since 2005 reliably fed ammunition, indicating minimal degradation from spring compression or feed lip spreading.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Magazine Loading Concerns
  2. 00:12The 15-Year Loaded Magazine Test
  3. 00:18Live Fire Reliability Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Can rifle magazines be stored loaded long-term without damage?

Yes, this test shows that quality rifle magazines, like the Center Industries Corp. models tested, can be stored loaded for extended periods, such as 15 years, without significant degradation in reliability.

Does leaving a magazine loaded weaken the spring?

While springs are under compression when loaded, the test suggests that for well-made magazines, this does not permanently weaken the spring to the point of failure after 15 years of being loaded.

Will feed lips spread if a magazine is left fully loaded?

The live-fire test using magazines loaded since 2005 indicated that feed lips did not spread to a degree that prevented reliable feeding of ammunition into an AR-15.

What kind of magazines were used in the 15-year test?

The test utilized three Center Industries Corp. aluminum 30-round magazines, chambered for 5.56x45mm NATO / .223 Remington, which were loaded with 28 rounds in 2005.

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