I did a dumb thing

**P7hk9** · 10-22-2005, 08:15 PM

I left two of my M16 mags loaded

Since September 4th.

They unwound just fine; but will they still be OK, or should I just chuck them and get new ones?

/dumbass

Sgt.Cracker · 10-22-2005, 11:00 PM

i dont see why they would be broken or anything.

**WWIII_USMC** · 10-23-2005, 06:40 PM

I left mine wound for 2 weeks and didn't notice any difference in performance. I would say use them until they start to mis-feed. I would think they should be alright if they aren't left wound for months again but there really isn't anyway to tell with loading them back up and letting some BB's fly in order to check how they feed.

/Thanks for reminding me. I forgot to unwind mine from yesterday.

**Therabbit** · 10-23-2005, 11:26 PM

give them a little squirty squirt o lube and they should be just fine.

**DkHelmet** · 10-24-2005, 10:14 AM

I've left standards and hicaps loaded for weeks; they always turned out ok.

Spring fatigue occurs due to use, not extended compression. Unless the springs are flawed. :)

Bob · 10-24-2005, 04:42 PM

This is one thing many people misunderstand.

Springs dont mind if they stay compressed or relaxed for any amount of time. That does not bother them. So you can leave your mags loaded for YEARS and itll still work. I have found springs in my 1954 jeep that have been compressed for 25 years (it sat for 25 years in a storage facility), and they sprang right back to life and were no question reusable.

Problems arise when a spring exceeds its maximum compression distance or maximum stretching distance. That should never happen in an airsoft magazine or mechbox (so long as the spring is replaced in accordance with all of the other internals).

Please keep in mind, if the engineers that designed these things put in crappy springs and they do break / misfeed, Do not chuck the whole magazine. Theres plenty of industrial supply houses that sell springs, and we can determine something that will definitally work here and just replace the spring itself....for like a dollar.

So, in conclusion. Dont worry about it. The only risk you run is the oil resting on the bbs instead of magazine internals - and thats cured with a squirt of oil no problemo.