AEG Magazine Storage/Maintenance

snapcracklepop · 07-15-2010, 08:17 AM

This may be something of a silly question, but it occurred to me the other day. How should AEG magazines be stored in between uses?

I thought leaving them filled would put unnecessary pressure on the spring. Is this a reasonable concern? Does anyone have anecdotal evidence to support that mags will last longer when kept empty? Or does whether they are left empty or full not factor into magazine durability?

Thanks

**VictorJulietSierra** · 07-15-2010, 10:14 AM

As far as I know, you can gas up your mags and you're good to go. I know with mid-caps anyway that that's the deal, but with high caps I might not take the chance. However, the only real advise you need is just keep them out of the dirt. Store them anywhere you want, preferably somewhere where you can have a hasty speedreload.

**TOPH** · 07-15-2010, 10:36 AM

I have never had any problems leaving my mags loaded in between games. I have mags that will sit for months without going unloaded and they still work just as good as the day I got them.

**Maverick** · 07-15-2010, 02:21 PM

I think it really depends on the brand of mags. TM, CA, ICs should be fine, but any clone brand I wouldn't leave wound up. I always leave them unwound just to be on the safe side. Wouldn't want to get on the field and find out all your hicaps are boned...

snapcracklepop · 07-15-2010, 03:46 PM

Cool, good to know my instincts were reasonable on this. Ever since it occurred to me I've kept my mags unloaded. Apart from the one that came with my CA I don't really know what brand any of my mags might be, two came with a used gun and two unmarked from the case at OMW. As long as they fit the replica and work they'll do just fine for me.

**Janster** · 07-15-2010, 05:55 PM

Steve and I always unload the mags every time we play - to remove the tension off the springs. It only takes a few minutes and its peace of mind.

**Palafoxx** · 07-15-2010, 06:38 PM

To add to what Jandy said, we empty the feed tube of the high caps to decompress the spring, but we don't dump out the BBs from main portion of the mag. We also empty the AEP mags.
A few minutes is all it takes to do this to a dozen or more mags.

washout77 · 11-14-2010, 04:42 PM

I hate to reply to such an old thread but from what I know about springs is that it doesn't matter how long they are compressed, they will jump back into shape, it matters if it's over extended. Then it will "stick" if they're over extended. I might be wron but I hoped I helped.