Spare Magazine Springs

I saw a reply in my other thread about replacing old springs in magazines, and it reminded me of something I've been wanting to ask.

Does anyone buy spare magazine internals?

With AR magazine prices being as low as they are, is there any point to buying fresh springs vs just buying a new magazine altogether?

Springs wear out with use, and naturally need replacing. I can see how more expensive magazines, for certain HK rifles as an example, can make one choose to rather buy more spare springs instead of entire magazines.

Is anyone here stocking up on magazine internals alongside of stocking up on complete magazines?

Thanks

I have never seen a magazine spring wear out.

I have, however, seen magazine bodies dented and feed lips damaged beyond repair.

At $1.50ea, they are cheap insurance but I won't be buying any.

I've seen mag bodies and feed lips ruined quite a bit but the only time I've ever seen a problem with springs is with an mp5 I shot at one point. There were 3 of us and about 8 mags. Over the course of about 700 rounds we only got 3 full mags of problem free firing. Otherwise 3-6 rounds between feed problems for every mag. The springs were too worn out to keep up with the 900 rpm. After that, the mag springs were replaced and problem free. This particular mp5 had about 750k - million rounds through it.

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I've worn out, and seen a few mag springs worn out over the years. Replaced one in an old, old, old, USGI 20 rounder earlier this year. Mag fed fine for the most part, but wouldn't lock the bolt back reliably. Changed out the spring and no more issue. That said, most mags I have seen go down were due to dents, breaks, caked with dirt or mud, or blood on the inside, or other issues not related to springs. General rule, mags are expendable and a wear item. So my advice would be to buy while they are cheap, and buy lots.

Good idea I should pick some up.

Aside from scratched, I had mags that really did need new springs.

I don't know if I would stock up but I keep a few around if I can resuscitate a GI mag.

I have seen springs wear from mag dumping without rotating , guys cramming 31 or 32 (!) rounds in and other abject abuse.

If a mag can be saved, I'll save it. If it is FUBAR, it gets tossed.

I'd sooner recommend getting more mags and just replacing springs as needed.

I bought a ten pack of Wolff extra power springs just to have on hand. Have not had a need for them thus far.

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Originally Posted by Moose-Knuckle

I bought a ten pack of Wolff extra power springs just to have on hand. Have not had a need for them thus far.

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That is on my "to do list"

With magazines being as cheap as they are, buying expensive springs as spares makes no sense.

A couple of years ago, AT A GUN SHOW (grain of salt) I saw a guy selling PMAG rebuild kits...spring, follower and base plate, but no housing. Odd thing was they were in Magpul packages and priced for around 5 bucks. All I could think about was that you could get one ready to go for another 5.

Back during the ban, hell yeah. Many old black follower and soft spring replaced with green, then later Magpul followers got those old mags going again.

These days I'm more inclined to toss out the mag and grab a new one.

I've replaced mag springs in high use training mags. Like others said, by the time you need a new spring it's often time or a good idea to replace the mag body.

For an extended use replacement, I've had a batch of Ken Elmore's red springs in use for 10+ years. Some have been through several mag bodies.
http://www.specializedarmament.com/c..._issue_96.html

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Originally Posted by BillBond

With magazines being as cheap as they are, buying expensive springs as spares makes no sense.

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I purchased my Wolff springs before the AWB sunset in September '04. And then we still have Americans living behind enemy lines in ban states.

Magazines are a disposable commodity unless there is a ban in place where one can obtain new inexpensive mags. If the feed lip geometry and or the body dimensions are not out of whack there is no reason to chunk a mag when something as simple as a floor plate, spring, and or follower can easily be swapped out for a new replacement.

I really (REALLY) don't want to derail this into a discussion or argument about the feasibility of mag bans, BUT my general wariness of this being at risk of happening is why I'd replace mags completely (and save the old suspect ones in a marked box.)

I'm not mass-buying mags in anticipation (maybe I should be) but I am otherwise inclined to buy them now at their relatively low prices and ready availability, and any other reason to buy them whole (like one wearing out) is just icing.

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Originally Posted by nolt

I really (REALLY) don't want to derail this into a discussion or argument about the feasibility of mag bans, BUT my general wariness of this being at risk of happening is why I'd replace mags completely (and save the old suspect ones in a marked box.)

I'm not mass-buying mags in anticipation (maybe I should be) but I am otherwise inclined to buy them now at their relatively low prices and ready availability, and any other reason to buy them whole (like one wearing out) is just icing.

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Not a derail at all. Anticipation of a ban is always a real issue. I never would have thought CO would get capacity restrictions...

After all it's always the talk of new restrictions that make prices and availability an issue with replacing mags. There wouldn't really be any need to stock up disposables like mags and ammo if we were 100% that we'll always have access to them.

I bought some replacement springs maybe 10 years ago, but have only used a few of them. I'll just buy some more mags next time.

Magazines are a disposable.

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Originally Posted by Eurodriver

I have never seen a magazine spring wear out.

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Exactly. A mag spring's life exceeds the functional life of the mag body by a country mile. Short of a defective spring, replacing them is a waste of money in my experience.