How long can I keep a magazine loaded?

[JFielding]

First time gun buyer here.

As another new owner primarily for home defense in what I expect to be an increasingly uncertain 10 years, I am considering keeping two or three magazines of self defense rounds loaded at all times. It is easy enough to imagine not using these for years then requiring them to work flawlessly on demand.

Here are my questions:

* Is it realistic to expect to load a magazine in 2020 and use it in 2025?

* Are ETS Tactical magazines a good choice in this scenario?

If it makes a difference I have purchased (the last?) new CA legal Glock 17 Gen 3 in the US -- at normal prices no less!

Regards,
J

[P5Ret]

The mags will be fine. I have no experience with ETS mags, but don't go cheap on mags you're going to bet your life on without running a few hundred rounds through them to ensure they function. Glock OEM mags aren't that expensive.

You probably should be shooting it on regular basis anyway. Shooting does not come naturally to most people. It is a perishable skill that needs constant practice. You also need to ensure that your ammo choice functions reliably in your gun. Although Glocks for the most part will eat anything, it's best to be certain.

[P5Ret]

Double post.

[norcal77]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pch0J9-7i2k

[Wordupmybrotha]

Not worth it to get an inferior magazine to save just $10 bucks on a life saving tool.

[Garv]

Have you shot any of your self-defense ammo through your OEM mags?
Some have had problems with hollow points based on the follower in the mag.

Buy OEM mags.

Take all your mags. to the range and shoot them once in a while.

Store the mags. so they can stay clean.

[plumbum]

I have some ETS magazines for my Glock 26, and I’ve had no problems with them. To answer the OP’s question: indefinitely.

[GeeBee49]

From what I've read keeping a magazine loaded for an extended time is less wear on the spring than those that you shoot and reload regularly. I try to rotate magazines so they wear more evenly but I doubt that I will ever wear out the spring in a good magazine. I shoot different guns each time I go to the range so I never think about wear on any particular gun or magazine.
And like someone already said a few extra bucks for better magazines is a good idea in the long run.

[Barang]

my hd magazines been loaded longer than that and still work fine. once in while i empty them at the range and put fresh rounds in them.

[9Cal_OC]

Not worth it to get an inferior magazine to save just $10 bucks on a life saving tool.

This.
Use the OEMs for SD and ETS for the range. Stick with OEM for SD scenarios to reduce likelihood of failure should you need it.

[sonofeugene]

Longer than you'll be on the planet. Much longer.

Don't worry about it.

[DDM4556]

Welcome OP! Congrats on your G17. Excellent handgun.

No issues leaving mags loaded. I do. When I go to the range, I use those very mags, then load them up again at home. I've never had a problem with any. The springs are just fine sitting compressed, even for long periods of time.

Like others have already said, ditch the aftermarket magazines. ONLY use Glock OEM mags. You're taking a huge gamble with cheap aftermarket mags. Its never worth it.

I've heard Magpul's Glock mags are good, but I ONLY use Glock mags in my home defense guns.

PS - make sure to get a tactical light. Its a must for any defensive pistol.

[Wordupmybrotha]

ETS: all polymer


Glock OEM: reinforced with steel and more durable base plate.

[The War Wagon]

How long can I keep a magazine loaded?

In perpetuity.

1911 mags - stored loaded since WWI - were found almost 100 years later, and functioned flawlessly (as did the ammo).

MODERN silica/steel spring alloys, are even stronger, and your loaded magazines will still work, long after YOU don't.

Since you're limited to 10rd doorstops-... I mean, "magazines," out there, I'd definitely be storing them all LOADED. WHEN *CBP comes rolling down your street, that is NOT the time to BE loading mags; that's when you tell your wingman, "Pass me ANOTHER of those pre-loaded mags!"


*Cracka's Be Protestin'

[flavor]

If you keep a magazine loaded and leave it alone, nothing will happen and it will last a very long time if not forever. If you constantly use the magazine such as for the range, the spring will eventually need to be replaced. That is why I keep my home defense magazine loaded, and use other magazines for the range separately.