AR mags full or empty?

[trjones87]

The mag I have is on my gun and full so if one day my house gets broken into, they won't walk out, (fingers crossed )
Some people say keeping them full is bad on the spring, sone say it doesn't matter.
What do y'all think/do?

[KDinTX]

I ruined two magpul mags by leavin them fully loaded for to long

[bigtuna]

I've always heard its the loading and unloading that wears out the spring not leaving them loaded. If you can't leave a mag loaded then what good is it for a survival / HD situation?

[Tom]

When I was in the Navy......a looong time ago. we would leave loaded guns half loaded to save the clip. Not sure what they do today in a "non-combat" situation where a loaded gun is required....one of the service guys will chime in for sure.

[red]

I keep 20 rounds in my 30 round mags ready for.....

I have heard both good and bad for the springs so I will pick a middle ground

[cbrown]

It's is the loading and unloading the weakens the spring and causes problems. I leave my mags full less one round

[sonny6]

Everyone has an opinion on whats what.

Download 20 round mags to 18 rounds.
Download 30 round mags to 27 rounds.

I have used DH, C Products and Okays for the last 25 years.

I have switched to PMags since they came out a few years ago.

No problems with either type except I have trashed a few because of worn out feed guides.

[Loneaggie]

Loading and unloading weakens springs from what I understand.

[Hawg Slayer 4]

If I had one I would keep my clip fully loaded at all times in case I got jumped by the apaches

[Ol Thumper]

Who cares If you ruin a mag, I have 2 AR's loaded within 5 feet of my bed, what goods a ruined mag gonna do ya if your dead? I know its not likely but im not going to be the one to make the statistic.

[Bonesplitter]

I keep my magazines half loaded.

[HoffDawg]

We leave ours loaded all the time, full combat loads. Loading and unloading is what wears the spring out. That is why military mags are pieces of ****.

[PBFrijoles]

being in the SOF community we always have extra mags that we rotate ammo through. every couple of weeks i'll unload them all and get fresh mags loaded up. this helps to keep the spring from having a "memory" so to speak (lets the spring rest). additionally i never top a mag all the way off. 28 rounds max because it helps prevent jamming. i hope you understand it but if you have any questions just ask.

[dragonsdaddy]

Loading and unloading weakens springs from what I understand.

so it is the shooting and reloading them that wears them out, as it should be?

[bsimm78]

Never leave mags loaded for extended periods of time. That's worse onthe spring than load/unload. Also, think about using your shotgun for home defense instead of the AR.