Magazine Springs

[Uni-Vibe]

You frequently see it said that a spring doesn't lose tension if it's merely left loaded, but wears out from the shooting.

There are too many anecdotes that affirm this, to just dismiss it. But I have had some recent experience.

1. I bought a Smith M&P40 cheap a few months ago. It was a police trade in and came with two magazines, papers, plastic case, etc. The two mags were the old style blued ones with the old style baseplates. They were almost immaculate. A bit dusty from shooting, but the bodies showed virtually no insertion wear, and no wear from carrying in the mag holder.

But the springs were weakened. One felt weak to push on with a finger, and it failed to hold the slide open 100% of the time. The other would hold the slide open, but it too felt weak to push on. I replaced both with Wolff and cured the problem; both were 100% functional.

2. I got a brand new Ruger .380 LCP about 3 years ago, for carry when doing athletic things. I test fired about 200 rounds, cleaned it. I Loaded six in the mag and let it sit. I recently took it to the range and shot it. It fed 100% but also failed to hold the slide open. Another trip to Wolff and the problem was cured.

So in these two examples, one of which I saw the whole process, apparently leaving them loaded took some of the push out of the spring.


So I think this: If you rely on a gun to save your hide, it wouldn't hurt to visit Wolff and every few years, spend six bucks and replace a magazine spring.

[pag23]

I always keep extra mag springs just in case and when I buy a used gun, always replace the mag spring if they feel weak. I ran into this on a Sig M11A1. I keep 3 to 4 loaded mags for my EDC Glock with no issues, but you bring up a good point

Nothing but good experiences with Wolff Springs

[ggammell]

Keep in mind that many police departments do not use training mags. Officers use duty mags for training by shucking all the duty rounds out then jamming training ammo in. For the entire service life of the pistol. They are seeing a lot of compression and uncompression in their service life.

[RWH24]

Keep in mind that many police departments do not use training mags. Officers use duty mags for training by shucking all the duty rounds out then jamming training ammo in. For the entire service life of the pistol. They are seeing a lot of compression and decompression in their service life.

Yes Sir. Each QUAL, Deputies qualified with what was in their gun and mags plus the few left over for a total of 50.
Issued a new box of duty ammo until next time. Ammo rotated and see if magazines had issues.

Honest story, 1 guy was having jamming issues, FTF, FTE and FTFire. In checking his Sig 226 9mm I found IMPACT 3D reman ammo in his gun and magazines. He had hoarded old ammo we used years ago and shot up his duty carry ammo.
He was sent home to retrieve all of the 9mm he had. He was carrying this old reman ammo on duty. He was sent to remedial training and if I could have gotten away with it he would have written an essay on the reasons why certain ammo is used and not safe for use or 1000X's WHY WE DON't. Act like 2nd graders. ADMIN was not happy with him and seriously considered decommissioning him to jail, corrections.

[Uni-Vibe]

I do the opposite. When I got my new EDC (M&P9) I tested two new magazines when I tested the gun. Flawless for several hundred rounds. Those became my EDC mags and don't get shot any more. I found some used ones at Aim Surplus for $12 each and bought 10. Those are my range mags. Call me a nerd but that's what I do.

[ggammell]

I do the opposite. When I got my new EDC (M&P9) I tested two new magazines when I tested the gun. Flawless for several hundred rounds. Those became my EDC mags and don't get shot any more. I found some used ones at Aim Surplus for $12 each and bought 10. Those are my range mags. Call me a nerd but that's what I do.

Not a nerd at all. I do that for edc. And my agency does that for training. We have tubs of Glock and pmags just for the range. It also helps eliminate people blowing through entire mags of duty ammo accidentally/negligently or otherwise.

[Arik]

I dunno about all that. Police trade ins are my favorite type of guns and accessories. Glocks or all types, Sigs, HKs, ARs and of course mags...I've yet to swap any spring or part. Even the mag in my edc is from the ban era. Has the "Law Enforcement Only" stamp on it. Still functions fine.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

[DG23]

I dunno about all that. Police trade ins are my favorite type of guns and accessories. Glocks or all types, Sigs, HKs, ARs and of course mags...I've yet to swap any spring or part. Even the mag in my edc is from the ban era. Has the "Law Enforcement Only" stamp on it. Still functions fine.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

They will wear over time and lead to problems. No spring is going to last forever if it is actually being used.

And I definitely like that Wolf offers mag springs in different weights. That can be useful in special applications...

[Captains1911]

I find that once I replace a factory spring with a Wolff spring, I never have to replace that spring again. I generally replace with extra power springs when available.

[Entryteam]

I find that once I replace a factory spring with a Wolff spring, I never have to replace that spring again. I generally replace with extra power springs when available.

Yeah, not all metals that manufacturers use are made/blended the same and to similar quality/standards. Wolff are the best.