Leave loaded wears out mag?

[nrakid88]

I know its cool to leave pistol and rifle mags loaded. And I do. Just wondering if this is the same case for shotguns. I have a 870 20'' 12ga 8 shot that is going to start sleeping above my head board, I am going to hang it somehow. I want to leave the magazine tube loaded all the time. Is this okay?

[CmpsdNoMore]

I would assume it would be the same as a pistol magazine.

I would keep a shotgun loaded without worrying about the spring getting weak.

[nrakid88]

Okay, just wanted someone elses opinoin. Plus pump action wont cycle as fast as semi auto so I am doubting if a weaker spring would even hurt anything...

[minuteman]

Be sure to secure it somehow in earthquake country. a bump on the head or worse is not a fun way to start your day.

[The Cable Guy]

Its still a spring, won't get worn out without repeated compression/decompression.

[SCMA-1]

Actually, springs can and do lose their power if they are fully compressed or over compressed for long periods of time. I've had to replace some mag springs from mags I kept loaded so now I leave a round or two out of all mags a keep stored loaded for the long term.

I will also unload my carry weapon's mags every 2 months or so and change to different mags (I'm talking about pistol mags) because these are always fully loaded.

SCMA-1

[AndrewMendez]

I have an 870 20 inch, I leave 6 shots in there... of the 00 magnum buck. i figure, its not the only thing I have ready to go, and if I cant stop someone with 6 of them... you know! I assume the spring would become weaker over time. Thus why the military/PD only put 28 rounds in there 30 round mags!

[gunrun45]

Well, I can tell you that I worked for a small PD that left the shotguns "patrol loaded" (mag full chamber empty safety on) for years at a time unless they were being cleaned or fired. No problems with any. I also keep a 870 and mossy 930 in the same condition at home with no issues.

[FieldsofFire]

This topic was brought up in another thread here and I think another member said that the action of compressing/decompressing the spring frequently would weaken it more than keeping the spring fully compressed in the mag tube all the time.

To me, I don't have any scientific data to prove either but I leave mine compressed all the time without too much worry about it. A spring is a small thing to replace anyway...if I notice it starting to go bad, I'll just replace it in a few minutes.

[The Cable Guy]

Actually, springs can and do lose their power if they are fully compressed or over compressed for long periods of time. I've had to replace some mag springs from mags I kept loaded so now I leave a round or two out of all mags a keep stored loaded for the long term.

I will also unload my carry weapon's mags every 2 months or so and change to different mags (I'm talking about pistol mags) because these are always fully loaded.

SCMA-1

Maybe if you leave them for over 50 years.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTT/is_163_27/ai_99130369

Check out this article for some pretty useful info.

[scr83jp]

I have an 870 20 inch, I leave 6 shots in there... of the 00 magnum buck. i figure, its not the only thing I have ready to go, and if I cant stop someone with 6 of them... you know! I assume the spring would become weaker over time. Thus why the military/PD only put 28 rounds in there 30 round mags!

Just my thoughts but I wouldn't fire 00 buck in my home at anyone,the 32cal pellets will shred everything in it's path & go thru walls endangering others.I've done some murder cases where 12g shotgun field loads were used at close range on well deserving individuals turned their clothes, chest and abdominal cavity into shredded mush.

[DuMO]

My pistol magazines have stayed fully loaded for the past 3.5 years (unloaded only for transportation and after being fired). They have not given me any issues yet. I'd imagine an auto-loader being more sensitive to a weak magazine spring than a pump shotgun magazine spring due to the cycling rate.

Feel free to take this with some salt since it's anecdotal and not scientific evidence.

I hope this doesn't turn into a birdshot vs buckshot thread.

[Dark&Good]

I want my semi-auto shotgun to be ready when needed, so I prefer to keep it loaded. I have some spare parts around, I go to the range often, and I inspect parts carefully while cleaning.

[The Cable Guy]

I have an 870 20 inch, I leave 6 shots in there... of the 00 magnum buck. i figure, its not the only thing I have ready to go, and if I cant stop someone with 6 of them... you know! I assume the spring would become weaker over time. Thus why the military/PD only put 28 rounds in there 30 round mags!

I think that is based more on the fact that it is a PITA to get over 28rds in a USGI 30rd magazine, and have it seat correctly without having to slam it into the mag well.