My pistols are loaded.

[argrendel]

Well, I have a pump shotgun that I hid with easy access. 5 rounds of buckshot. The spring was so weak, it wouldn’t feed the last two. Never had an issue with pistol springs.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Wilson magazines are supposed to stay good for many years

 

[dogdude]

When I check my mag springs (pistol..shotgun) and one feels ''weak'', I take out the spring and stretch it out..at the ends a little bit..NEVER in the middle! It's defiantly not like a new spring (recommended) but I have a Ithaca pistol grip that has been loaded for the last 30 yrs. and cycles just fine..after a little ''stretch'' once a yr. 9's and 45's same thing..but these are MY firearms and know them well..Your Mileage WILL Vary.
Egan

 

[alintx]

I keep mine loaded,and never had a problem. However, there’s something to be said about keeping a revolver for home security! It can sit in drawer forever with no tension on any springs. Pull the trigger and it’s gonna go bang! No levers to throw ,no safeties to switch,just pull the trigger!

 

[Evan]

I'd recommend shooting your pistols a few times a year to ensure they and you are functional.

Are you disassembling and cleaning them from time to time?

 

[Zero333]

Magazine spring is not the problem.

The biggest problem is not training with the guns your life depends on.

 

[rr2030]

The biggest problem is not training with the guns your life depends on.

That right there is the truth. After the moment of disbelief that this is actually happening to you, all you have had, all you will ever have is likely going to depend on what you do next. And what you do next should be what you have trained many times, to do, with out fail.

 

[fyrewall]

In theory magazine springs should last almost forever (real long time) even if compressed. The recoil spring is the item that needs periodic replacement *, 2500-3000 rounds is recommended by many manufacturers - no big deal, relatively inexpensive and goes along with a field strip. I have 3 Hornady touch combo hand gun safes in the house (2, 1911 & RCR) & car (1, Taurus Tracker)) - would not be without them and these satisfy various state's storage requirements.

Real good idea to take them out & shoot up your old ammo then replace with new ammo - we do the ammo replacement at least every years' day light saving time week & replace smoke detector batteries. If something can go wrong it will. Having a loaded gun within arms reach is comforting. With no details, 2X within 30 years provided peace & comfort for the innocents. Gotta get training.

* Like Stork sez, numerous compression cycles (one big bucket of bullets).

 

[T-shooter]

Well, I have a pump shotgun that I hid with easy access. 5 rounds of buckshot. The spring was so weak, it wouldn’t feed the last two. Never had an issue with pistol springs.

I keep a Mossberg 930 12 gauge semi-auto as a home defense weapon. The magazine holds 7 but I never keep over 5 in it when in storage and 6 more rounds on the stock if I need them. And if things ever got nasty, I can quickly snap on a belt with about 40 more rounds that I keep next to the shotgun. It also has a light with a remote switch. Wolff makes springs for almost everything and it would be a good idea to get yourself a couple extras and check or swap them out them every few months if needed. So far this spring has held up several years but I have 2 new backups if needed. Your life may depend on your weapon, so it has to work, first time, every time!

 

[argrendel]

Nice setup. Thanks for the advice.

 

[people]

That right there is the truth. After the moment of disbelief that this is actually happening to you, all you have had, all you will ever have is likely going to depend on what you do next. And what you do next should be what you have trained many times, to do, with out fail.

What he said over and over. Being startled when your door is kicked open is one thing but a person should not be pissing their bed in fear nor should you have buck fever.