Nightstand Gun: Is it ok to leave one in the chamber?

[Stryprod]

Adding some commentary to the Beretta info above...

... yes cycling the ammo position may be useful to avoid 'roll' wear if the loaded mag is not stored/stationary, but it may make sense to periodically 'dispose' of the ammo.

Repeated "administrative" loading and unloading of ammo from magazines has been found, in certain east coast PDs, to risk causing bullet "setback" in the case. This significantly increases chamber pressure - possibly well above the safe level - and can risk a KaBoom. This seems to be an issue more with 40S&W (poss w/related 357Sig) than other calibers, given the case size, fullness, and percentage delta caused by typical setback when it occurs.

A person I trust reported inheriting loaded Luger magazines. These magazines were loaded 50+? years ago. He took 'em out to the range, and all magazines fed OK and all rounds went Bang.

Interesting info bwiese and thanks for posting that!

I'd agree and am not surprised those Luger mag rounds fired and despite my quote from the above Beretta and STI, I never cycle my ammo. Why? Because I choose to shoot my defensive rounds primarily for TRAINING and FAMILIARITY purposes before I really believe any of these extremely unlikely but possible issues can occur. I think other posters are failing to see this connection.

The gent was asking for a hard figure and I think a valid answer was YMMV but I chose to do XYZ because of reasons 1-5 and the possibility of reasons 6-10. Typical gun community, and I do it too, to lambaste number 9 without looking at the context. LOL.

[Jason P]

I keep one in the chamber, safety off DA first (P95), mag in well plus another full mag under my pillow... I also have a sensitive hound dog

[Ubermcoupe]

No it will not degrade.

Im always used to having a revolver as my nightstand weapon...

I utilize this philosophy to avoid wondering if its loaded. Although I practice general readiness via a press-check, you just never know in the heat of the moment.

[shooting4life]

I keep six in the chamber Of my nightstand gun so you should be ok with one

[Cokebottle]

On this topic, I'll like to ask how long can I keep ammo loaded in the magazine of a semi-auto pistol like a Glock? And how about revolver? Meaning, if I keep the pistol loaded for year(s) at a time, will it result it failure?

Springs fail due repeated compression/ extension. Leaving loaded is better than repeatedly loading and unloading

+1

Example: Look at old cars.
You'll see two 1971 Impalas sitting side by side, and one is dragging the pavement while the other still has the original stance.
Why?

They've both been resting on the springs for 40 years, did one owner that seriously overload the car?

No. He drove it, and spent a lot of time on SoCal freeways rough roads.

[Wicked Pete]

I recall a news story (S.F.) where an elderly man shot an intruder with a revolver he had (ammo) since 1932, it fired.

[HPGunner]

Self defense gun - I always have one in the chamber ready to go. mags fully loaded. I try to remember to shoot the ammo once a year and replace with a new box. The mags get used at least once a month or maybe two when I practice shooting with it.

[bigbearbear]

Hello,

I'll answer from a different perspective - the quality of your mags and ammo and the condition they are stored in is more important than how long they are left loaded.

Picture 1: the left Glock mag has been loaded for 10 years just for the heck of it next to a self defense ammo mag (cycled periodically). The old mag looks ready to go, but is not for self defense.

My thanks for the post, this is the sort of data I was hoping to get. Between 6 months to 10 years, I should be able to find a happy medium for myself.


BigBear.

[Blackhawk556]

It's ok as long as you don't have little kids in the house that have access to the firearm.

[c3 rolling]

Most police departments in CA rotate carried duty ammo every year. Not sure if that means anything, just puting it out there. I keep all my old duty ammo and shoot ball ammo during rotation. Now i have over 2000 old winchester ranger t's lol.