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Thread: Chrome silicon vs. Stainless mag springs

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  1. #1
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    Chrome silicon vs. Stainless mag springs

    I realize that I should probably know this already, but what are the advantages/disadvantages of either chrome silicon magazine springs vs. stainless magazine springs in M16 magazines?

    Thanks.
    Employee of colonialshooting.com

  2. #2
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    Chrome silicon has better fatigue life. Regular stainless costs less.

    You could make springs from coat hangers as long as you were diligent about replacing them often enough.

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by kartoffel View Post
    Chrome silicon has better fatigue life. Regular stainless costs less.

    You could make springs from coat hangers as long as you were diligent about replacing them often enough.
    Thanks, that reflects my gut instinct.
    Employee of colonialshooting.com

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    "You could make springs from coat hangers as long as you were diligent about replacing them often enough." - No you can't, the yield strength is not high enough to survive one loading.


    CS can last longer, SS is more corrosion resistant.

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    I've disassembled and gone through a few hundred used mags the past year and have never seen more than a surface rust, no pitting or rust through. Just a little rust that you could basically just scrape off with your thumbnail. Maybe I just haven't seen a bad one yet??
    I'm sure if the CS spring was exposed to salt water, they'd rust more ... but I haven't seen it.

    Magpul, Brownell's, and NHMTG use SS springs in their current mags. It looks like the new USGI mags all have SS Springs. A new mil-spec?

    It depends on what grade SS they use, but some grades of SS will rust like crazy if exposed to salt water?

    .
    Last edited by ucrt; 02-05-11 at 18:33.

  6. #6
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    Like SS, not all CS springs are the same. Some CS are coated to help prevent rust, but this is one untreated on pulled from the wrapper.

  7. #7
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    I'd be willing to bet that most mags would have issues with feed lips LONG before they got to the number of cycles where CS vs SS makes any difference.

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