Do Magazines Wear Out?

cirelaw · 02-19-2018, 06:08 PM

Millions made it through a century, including 2 World Wars. I never hear it mentioned! Does it decrease its spring force over time? When did we switch from wood to medal? Is there any special care that should be given? I'm sure there are some readers who don't know all the answers because after seventeen years I don't know all the answers! Eric

Ron Wood · 02-19-2018, 06:23 PM

Yes. WWII. Don't store with ammo in the mag.

cirelaw · 02-19-2018, 06:54 PM

Thank You Ron.

DonVoigt · 02-19-2018, 08:27 PM

Yes.
Keep them unloaded, clean, lubricate well, and wipe down the out side to prevent rust.

Wood was used until the mid to late 1920s; when aluminum started to be used for new manufacture and replacement bases.

When the spring gets weak you will have function problems in loading and hold open.
Springs can be replaced.

cirelaw · 02-19-2018, 09:58 PM

Thank You Don!~!

calibrator · 02-20-2018, 10:07 AM

As a machinist, the experts I've consulted regarding springs of any type all concurred that a quality spring only wears when it goes through many compression and relaxation cycles. A spring under constant compression should not lose it's force.

The pressure on the mag "Lips" is another story. The greater pressure of a full load on the spring creates great force, enough to bend sheet metal over time. That's the reason I don't keep mags loaded for storage.

YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)

Vlim · 02-20-2018, 12:53 PM

The damage done to the magazine lips and the rest of the tube is quite substantial. Those that got proper heat treating survivef a lot longer.

cirelaw · 02-20-2018, 03:29 PM

George Put this pretty together when I told him I shot our 1914 DWM Artillery! The Mag is much heavier! Tks for your input!!

John Sabato · 02-21-2018, 11:28 AM

Eric, I noticed that the magazine tube has a dent in it... GT can iron out that dent so you won't even know it was there...

Sergio Natali · 02-22-2018, 02:47 AM

I would concur with calibrator, FWIK

a quality spring only wears when it goes through many compression and relaxation cycles. A spring under constant compression should not lose it's force.

Probably also depends on how long the spring remains compressed, anyway I can't remember where I read about a WWII pistol found in the sands of North Africa with a mag still loaded and perfectly working.

Zorba · 02-23-2018, 01:17 AM

Here's anecdotal evidence that compressed springs do deteriorate over time:

My late father purchased a new 1963 1 ton GMC truck with extra heavy duty rear springs which jacked the back end up pretty high, until a cab-over camper was loaded onto it, then it was "about right". In 1976, the camper came off to enable the truck to pull a 5th wheel trailer - but the height of the rear end remained "just right", it didn't spring back up.

YMMV...

02-19-2018, 06:08 PM	#1
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Do Magazines Wear Out? Millions made it through a century, including 2 World Wars. I never hear it mentioned! Does it decrease its spring force over time? When did we switch from wood to medal? Is there any special care that should be given? I'm sure there are some readers who don't know all the answers because after seventeen years I don't know all the answers! Eric

02-19-2018, 06:23 PM	#2
Ron Wood Moderator 2010 LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Teresa New Mexico just outside of the West Texas town of El Paso Posts: 6,988 Thanks: 1,067 Thanked 5,099 Times in 1,676 Posts	Yes. WWII. Don't store with ammo in the mag. __________________ If it's made after 1918...it's a reproduction

02-19-2018, 08:27 PM	#4
DonVoigt User Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: near Charlotte NC Posts: 4,678 Thanks: 1,441 Thanked 4,348 Times in 2,038 Posts	Yes. Keep them unloaded, clean, lubricate well, and wipe down the out side to prevent rust. Wood was used until the mid to late 1920s; when aluminum started to be used for new manufacture and replacement bases. When the spring gets weak you will have function problems in loading and hold open. Springs can be replaced. __________________ 03man(Don Voigt); Luger student and collector. Looking for DWM side plate: 69 ; Dreyse 1907 pistol K.S. Gendarmerie

02-20-2018, 03:29 PM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	George Andersons' Shooter Mag! George Put this pretty together when I told him I shot our 1914 DWM Artillery! The Mag is much heavier! Tks for your input!! Attached Thumbnails

02-21-2018, 11:28 AM	#9
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Eric, I noticed that the magazine tube has a dent in it... GT can iron out that dent so you won't even know it was there... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

02-19-2018, 06:54 PM	#3
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Thank You Ron.

02-19-2018, 09:58 PM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Thank You Don!~!

02-20-2018, 10:07 AM	#6
calibrator User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cave Creek Posts: 315 Thanks: 55 Thanked 242 Times in 92 Posts	As a machinist, the experts I've consulted regarding springs of any type all concurred that a quality spring only wears when it goes through many compression and relaxation cycles. A spring under constant compression should not lose it's force. The pressure on the mag "Lips" is another story. The greater pressure of a full load on the spring creates great force, enough to bend sheet metal over time. That's the reason I don't keep mags loaded for storage. YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary)

02-20-2018, 12:53 PM	#7
Vlim Moderator Lifetime LugerForum Patron Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Europe Posts: 5,045 Thanks: 1,034 Thanked 3,941 Times in 1,196 Posts	The damage done to the magazine lips and the rest of the tube is quite substantial. Those that got proper heat treating survivef a lot longer.

02-22-2018, 02:47 AM	#10
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,082 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	I would concur with calibrator, FWIK a quality spring only wears when it goes through many compression and relaxation cycles. A spring under constant compression should not lose it's force. Probably also depends on how long the spring remains compressed, anyway I can't remember where I read about a WWII pistol found in the sands of North Africa with a mag still loaded and perfectly working. __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

02-23-2018, 01:17 AM	#11
Zorba User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Merritt Island, Fl Posts: 951 Thanks: 776 Thanked 526 Times in 289 Posts	Here's anecdotal evidence that compressed springs do deteriorate over time: My late father purchased a new 1963 1 ton GMC truck with extra heavy duty rear springs which jacked the back end up pretty high, until a cab-over camper was loaded onto it, then it was "about right". In 1976, the camper came off to enable the truck to pull a 5th wheel trailer - but the height of the rear end remained "just right", it didn't spring back up. YMMV...