magazine charging

Question
I read with interest about changing magazine springs on an annual basis...need them or not...but what about keeping a magazine fully charged? How long can one expect spring tension  to last in a fully charged magazine? Do you need to unload them periodically to give springs a "rest" so to speak. Thanks

Answer
Alan,

I must say that though I have preached this, I don't practice it.

Once upon a time before metallurgy got good, leaving a magazine loaded (or a hammer in the cocked position) was a guaranteed way for the spring to take a "set" - to freeze in place, and not do its job.

With modern springs, particularly the new chrome silicone springs, this is much less likely.

If you have a magazine that is constantly loaded, I would just test it every once in a while.  This is what I've done with a Glock 19 and 23 that have been loaded for 3 years with chrome silicone, and they still work fine.