Making certain a defensive firearm is in working order is imperative, but simple. They need cleaning, lubrication and, if magazine fed, magazine rotation. What’s that last one, you say? Magazine rotation? Yes, like any mechanical device, a magazine is prone to ware. Particularly, if loaded consistently, the springs can soften and eventually lead to a failure to feed. In turn, it’s important to give the magazines a rest and call a fresh one into action. Firearms instructor and member of Colt Combat Unit Ken Hackathorn goes over a simple magazine rotation system in the above video that ensures they perform when they’re called into duty. Granted, the system costs a little extra money, given it requires having extra magazines on hand. But it will get more life out of each magazine and, more importantly, ensure they function flawlessly if ever called into duty.
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I am a degreed Metallurgical Engr. with over 40 years experience with ferrous alloys including stainless steels. It is entirely possible that a spring might fail due to fatigue. However, that a spring will “soften” due to being compressed over time is, in my opinion, highly unlikely unless it is exposed to relatively high temperatures well over 100 deg.F.
In my opinion the advice given by the author is probably good, but for other reasons.
Interesting, but how do you KNOW that magazine springs will always be prone to fail unless they are rotated? Can you cite any scientific studies, or are you merely assuming that all magazine springs under constant compression will eventually “soften?” Show us some EVIDENCE, backed by double-blind unbiased studies from at least one disinterested scientific organization. Springs from each major manufacturing company should be included, with enough springs and enough time allowed for each spring to be tested. Bell curves and standard deviations, based on a maximum “population” should be also be included. Manufacturers should not be allowed to participate in studies, lest they be biased…..in which case, any semblance of a true scientific study would be tossed aside.
Individual reports of spring failure are of no value because they are merely “anecdotal,” and as such are hardly scientific.
Interesting, but how do you KNOW that magazine springs will always be prone to fail unless they are rotated? Can you cite any scientific studies, or are you merely assuming that all magazine springs under constant compression will eventually “soften?” Show us some EVIDENCE, backed by double-blind unbiased studies from at least one disinterested scientific organization. Springs from each major manufacturing company should be included, with enough springs and enough time allowed for each spring to be tested. Bell curves and standard deviations, based on a maximum “population” should be also be included. Manufacturers should not be allowed to participate in studies, lest they be biased…..in which case, any semblance of a true scientific study would be tossed aside.
Individual reports of spring failure are of no value because they are merely “anecdotal,” and as such are hardly scientific.