One of my Glock 17's functions is as a self defense weapon in my house. It came with 3 magazines.

My current plans are to keep one magazine separate from the other two, and keep it loaded with self defense cartridges. When I go to the range, I alternate between the other two magazines.

How long will the magazine spring last if I keep 17 rounds in the magazine all the time? Is this a bad practice? Should I put less than 17 rounds in my SD magazine? Should I rotate my self defense magazine in with the other magazines?

I have not shot any of my self defense ammunition, yet. I plan to the next time I go to the range, but it is too expensive to shoot a lot.

glock makes some of, if not the best mag springs. i kept all mine fully loaded for over 2 years, including a 33 rounder, and they never jammed. (alternately took them to the range, then fully loaded again when brought home). changed them recently just to be sure. they're cheap as dirt, so why not? got them at glockparts.com

it's actually compression/decompression that wears springs out the fastest, not keeping them fully loaded. there's been 1911 mags from WWII found fully loaded, and they functioned without issue.

....... till they fail.

Ive kept some loaded for 4-5 years and never had any problems with em. I keep all of mine loaded all the time.

If you are getting constant FTFs, and you know you are not limp wristing, try taking your mags apart and cleaning and checking the up and down motion of the follower. If that doesnt work, Its most likely the mag spring.

I usually keep mags loaded for around 2 weeks at a time and then alternate to spares.

Thanks for the info, guys...

I'm going to shoot some of my SD ammo the next time I go to the range, so I'll rotate my unused mag into the pack...

Good tip on GlockParts, DG... Thanks... Genuine Glock mags are pretty reasonably priced... I need to pick up a couple of them...

Originally Posted by Boomer

If you are getting constant FTFs, and you know you are not limp wristing, try taking your mags apart and cleaning and checking the up and down motion of the follower. If that doesnt work, Its most likely the mag spring.

I usually keep mags loaded for around 2 weeks at a time and then alternate to spares.

So far I've only had the one stovepipe jam... None since putting in the 02 guide rod spring...

I hope I didn't just jinx myself...