How often should I rotate mags in an AR 15...or not?

[Tango down]

Title says it all... How often should I rotate mags in an AR 15? Can constant pressure on mag spring, month after month, create a possible failure to feed (FTF)? That's if a mag stays loaded 24/7 for a long ass time. There are different opinions, curious to know what everyone's input is.

 

[Mute]

Constant use of the mags will fatigue the springs far quicker than just keeping them under load. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

As far as springs go, it is the movement not tension that causes wear. As stated in the previous post. The misnomer is that a loaded spring will wear out before an unloaded spring. They will last exactly the same amount of time if left alone.

 

[Billl223]

I've been shooting ARs in competition for about 25 years. I don't pay attention which mag is used and haven't ever had a mag failure except for a cheap 40 rd.

 

[Lug Nut]

Load’em up boys. They don’t do any good sitting empty.

 

[flyright]

Rotate to a full one every time you empty one. At least, that's what I was told...

 

[MK20]

they are fine.
Leave them loaded.
Mandate in your will that they be unloaded and reloaded.

Seriously, they will last this long.

 

[Slab74]

Empty mags make me