How much ammo to leave in mag?

[cz4me]

I'm sure this is an old issue, but I can't figure out how much ammo can be stored in a 1911 magazine or for how long without damaging the magazine's ability to feed.  I want to keep some rounds in the mag for self-defense, maybe three or four.  Appreciate your advice.

[Daveinthebush]

Would like to know too as I keep 7 rounds in all six clips. Even the one in the gun that has one in the chamber. :roll:

[Mikey]

cz4me and Daveinthebush - I keep mine loaded full and take them out once every six months or so and run them through the pistol a few times.  Never had a malfunction.  Some I have kept loaded full for over a year, and the same result = perfect functioning and no hangups.  If I ever do get a hangup or malfunction from a 45 magazine it goes right to the circular file and I replace it with two new 8 shots from either Star or Chip McCormick.  Works fer me.  BTW, there are tales of fully loaded magazines being found wrapped in newspaper from generations back (30-40 or more years), and both the magazines and ammunition have functioned flawslessly.  HTH guys.  Mikey.

[cz4me]

Reason for my question is I recall Dan Wesson saying the most important component of a 1911, in his view, was the magazine.  Since I own one of his, and since it seems only logical that rounds -- especially a full load -- would weaken spring over time, I thought surely you'd want to limit loading.

[myronman3]

mine stays fully loaded and i try to remember to switch mags at the begining of the month.

[Timberwolf]

I've always been taught that keeping the mag loaded to capacity with weaken the speing thus causing a feeding failure towards the end of the mag.

To that end I always keep six in the mag and change out mags at the first of the months.

[williamlayton]

i asked that question awhile back-see you aint tha only one that was concerned- i got the same answers frum tha boys so i quit worrin bout it--dang it all ya got me ta worrin bout it allover. jest kidding :oops: .
blessings

[cz4me]

Here's the word from Dan Wesson:

 
----- Original Message -----
From: bobs@danwessonfirearms.com
To: Dan Wesson Corp.
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 9:18 AM
Subject: Re: Storing Ammo in Magazine


Hi Tim, You can leave them in as long as you wish. I would change out mag springs every 18 months or so if you do. This would be just good maintenance.
 
Thanks,
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Wesson Corp.
To: bobs@danwessonfirearms.com
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2003 8:35 AM
Subject: Fw: Storing Ammo in Magazine


 
----- Original Message -----
From: Tim and Barbara B
To: danwessonfirearms@citlink.com
Sent: Friday, November 28, 2003 5:29 PM
Subject: Storing Ammo in Magazine


I'm a very satisfied Patriot owner who'd like advice on how many rounds I should keep in the mag (for home defense) -- and how long -- to prevent  damage to the spring and normal functioning.
 
Many thanks.

[John Traveler]

Col Jeff Cooper advised that he kept his .38 Super magazines continuously loaded for more than four years in WWII, and they worked perfectly on his return.  I believe it.

The US Government has run extensive tests and determined that the M1911 .45 magazine design is a great one. Magazines have been kept fully loaded for several years without malfunction.

The usual reason for a magazine to malfunction is damage to the feed lips from dropping it, dents to the body, or, most commonly, dirt and rust inside the magazine tube from neglect.

HTH
John