a bit of common sense storing loaded firearm magazines

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
when storing any fire arm component,
both ammo and the magazines themselves must be stored where moisture can not cause rust and corrosion,and ideally in a consistently cool temperature, of under 75f. and over 50 f
and in as close as possible to an ideal cool & dry environment.
never use penetrating oils in direct contact with ammo or use more than minimal amounts on magazines as it can and will cause ammo function problems
generally you'll want to lightly spray magazines and store several empty magazines,
in ziploc plastic bags,(generally the 1-2 gallon size) along with a paper towel that's been sprayed with a good rust preventative oil,
never spray ammo directly with a penetrating rust
preventatives oil and ideally store the magazine filled zip loc sealed plastic bags in larger water proof government surplus ammo cans,
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/all-magazines/rifles


if you have a 7.62/39 AK , these mags are a darn good deal Id buy 10-12 to have in your inventory.
any pistol or rifle owner should have several spare magazines ,
ID CONSIDER 6-9 mags in good working order per firearm,TO BE THE MINIMUM



as the pistol or rifles useless, without a good functional magazine, even with only one it can be and frequently is near useless,
if a small spring or other minor component fails that could easily be replaced with a magazine swap.
I generally suggested having at least 5-6 extra magazines minimum,
and and an absolute minimum of 200 cartridges, for any firearm you own 500-1000, cartridges and reloading equipment that matches and having a few more, components on hand seems far more reasonable in my opinion

any mechanical device, no mater how simple benefits from proper maintenance and care, and protection from corrosion.

shop carefully both magazines and ammo cans can and do vary in price constantly, and read the product descriptions carefully some are well used others nearly new


lightly misting the magazine metal surfaces internally and externally after a careful detailed cleaning with a good solvent then drying them, quickly followed by the corrosion reducing misted oil coating helps, but be aware this must be done very frugally as any excess oil has the potential to seep into primers and powder DE-activating the ammo, or causing mis-fires,& hang fires,
almost any rifle or pistol magazine can be left loaded to about 85% of max capacity for YEARS with it loaded to only about 80% capacity
,virtually forever, if the magazines kept lightly mist oiled, dry and inside an air tight moisture tight box inside a plastic zip=lock seal bag
clipmag.jpg

without doing and harm to the internal spring IF you take a few basic precautions
reasonable prep helps

(1) IF possible, dis-assemble and clean the magazine carefully inside and out,
then swish it in a clean solvent
(Ive used a large container of mineral spirits) bath,
to insure you get it cleaned internally, dry it carefully internally and externally with a lint free cloth,
and lightly spray it both internally and externally with a good DRY FILM lubricant.
(I find MOLY mist spray excellent, as its a dry powder micro surface lube that drys in seconds having zero problem with ammo contamination issues)
molysp2.JPG

molysp1.JPG

https://www.lowes.com/pd/WD-40-Spec...b334cadcfaeb1d533191aa174c770fcb&gclsrc=3p.ds

use of a very light coat of spray on grease ,
(rust preventative and lube)

inside the empty magazine with the magazine base plate removed to coat the magazine spring and internal follower,
is not a bad idea, before you load the magazine,
but never spray lube,
from the top on the follower, you want only the under surface of the follower and spring lubed


molymi.jpg

DON,T SOAK IT DOWN, wet liquid spray lubes like wd 40 and most penetrating oil sprays can seep into and deactivate primers or powder in ammo over time is sprayed directly on ammo or a surface its stored inside
molymi.jpg

http://tsmoly.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1_16&products_id=175

https://www.grainger.com/product/CR...m/rp/s/is/image/Grainger/2F138_AS01?$smthumb$

https://www.amazon.com/Jet-Lube-Moly-Mist-Specialty-Oilfield-Lubricant/dp/B009CHE9L8
(2)
very lightly mist spray, a single paper towel large enough to fold over both sides of the magazine with WD40
(don,t soak it down so its wet, you want the paper towel to absorb moisture and admit rust reducing fumes)
and place it around the magazine then slide it into a plastic zip lock bag
you can stack dozens of individually bagged magazines in a large water tight container for years in a cool dry environment
a couple 40 mm ammo cans are about ideal be damn sure you check the shipping charges as well as the posted price
it may be well worth the cost/time/effort to buy from an AMAZON PRIME VENDOR

the cost with shipping may be surprising high from some vendors,
but
shipping very low or free from amazon prime making the cost of ,
the AMMO CANS OR MAGAZINES PRICED MUCH MORE REASONABLY

EXAMPLE
It would make little sense to purchase 4 $15 ammo cans that required $55 shipping cost vs several $20 ammo cans with free shipping

if you only have a couple magazines the 50 cal cans are a decent option
60860.jpg

a couple 40 mm ammo cans are about ideal if you have a bunch of magazines
the 40mm ammo cans easily hold twice plus the number of magazines and ammo that a 50 cal ammo can holds


good price fast service
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A9T8D7Y?m=A2UF647I381AO6&ref_=v_sp_detail_page

40mmnew.jpg

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/ammo-cans-storage-containers/40mm-ammo-box.html

its a damn good idea to own several of the 50 cal ammo cans if you have a couple extra pistol or rifle magazines.

dirty, rusty magazines are usually nearly useless and become permanently damaged rapidly.
(don,t forget to use the zip-lock bags and a storage prep like written up above)
but if you have a few dozen , upgrading to the larger 40-mm ammo can ,
makes a great deal more sense economically as your container generally,
costs less than twice as much as the 50 cal cans,
but holds MORE than twice the volume in contents.



40mmnew.jpg

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/ammo-cans-storage-containers/40mm-ammo-box.html
http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/ammo-cans-storage-containers/40mm-ammo-box.html
c29cdac47ff5280769c48582270f2474.gif


ziplocba.jpg


M1a magazines

LOOK OVER THE OPTIONS & PRICES, THOSE CHANGE OVER TIME,
AND THERE ARE SALES,
ITS NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL TO FIND IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR MAGAZINES,
PRICED 30%- 70% LOWER ON SALE, AT DIFFERENT VENDORS,
AND YES THERE ARE CHEAP LOW QUALITY COPIES FOR SALE IN SOME CASES,
BUT YOU CAN NOT ASSUME THE HIGHER PRICE INDICATES A BETTER QUALITY IN ALL CASES
READ DESCRIPTIONS CAREFULLY

WHILE NOT TRUE IN ALL CASES, TRUE MILL SPEC SURPLUS,
IN ORIGINAL PRISTINE CONDITION,WILL GENERALLY WILL BE 100% RELIABLE,
WHILE AFTERMARKET KNOCK OFFS MAY NOT BE!!

BUY THE BASIC 5-6 MINIMUM MAGAZINES WHEN YOU BUY THE FIREARM
THEY MAY BE FAR HARDER TO LOCATE AND MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE A YEAR OR TWO LATER

m1amagx.jpg

https://www.gunsamerica.com/9964448...-BLACK-PHOSPHATE-STEEL-MAGAZINE-NEW-IN-BO.htm

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/mil-spec-m14-m1a-magazine-20-rounds?a=148200

http://www.keepshooting.com/review/product/list/id/209/category/8/#customer-reviews
good quality , and great price
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/mil-spec-m14-m1a-magazine-20-rounds?a=148200

https://www.44mag.com/product/m1a_m14_magazine_20_usgi/check-mate_industries

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/mil-spec-20-rd-m14-m1a-mag?a=148200

https://www.gunsamerica.com/951013246/Springfield-M1A-Mag-308-20rd-NEW-National-Magazine.htm

http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/magsclips

AR mags
armagx.jpg

MIL SURPLUS 20, and 30 round capacity AR 15 mags generally work well,
but its smart to by too, buy and test those mags you buy, and only then buy more identical mags,
if the first test mags prove 100% dependable,
the last thing you want to do is buy defective magazines in bulk quantity

https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...16-military-spec-magazine-30-rounds?a=1317453

https://www.keepshooting.com/c-products-ar-15-magazine.html

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...r-aluminum-gray-3023002179cpd-766897411083.do

http://www.jgsales.com/magazines-c-332_190_192.html

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/tapco-i...ound-polymer-magazine-mag0930-all-colors.html

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...000010404.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn

I'VE HAD AND SEEN VERY MIXED RESULTS FROM THE AFTERMARKET 40 SHOT MAGS,
USED IN AR15 and AK47 RIFLES
and 20 PLUS CAPACITY,
AFTERMARKET GLOCK PISTOL MAGAZINES
https://www.sportsmansguide.com/pro...s-ar-15-m16-steel-magazine-40-rounds?a=546459

AK mags

http://www.jgsales.com/east-europea...teel,-excellent-to-like-new-used.-p-2847.html

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/all-magazines/rifles

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/kci-ak-47-7-62x39-30-round-steel-magazine.html

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...do?green=C146057B-8258-5AB9-0591-E82FE3ACB34B

http://www.jgsales.com/yugo-ak-47-z...open,-blued-steel,-new-by-matra.-p-90031.html

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...000010404.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn
http://www.sgammo.com/product/surpl...round-ak-47-drum-magazine-new-romanian-762x39

http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/rifle/556/
 
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I had a recent e-mail question about this post asking if I was sure,
that you could safely store a 30 round capacity magazine with about 25 cartridges , and 20 round capacity with 16 cartridges, in a sealed zip lock bag,
and not have any feeding issues.
all I can say is I,ve routinely done that with both AK 47 m14, and AR 15 mags , for over 40 years, with zero issues
I generally clean and very lightly mist my magazines inside with dry moly spray, and outside with wd40 before I load them
then I place two in a gallon zip loc plastic bag with each loosely wrapped each individual magazine in a single sheet of paper towel,
(this will tend to trap and absorb the preservative mist and absorb any trace moisture trapped in the air in that sealed zip-loc bag)

I fold the sealed zip lock bag , containing the two magazines and place both magazines along with several others,
(as many pairs as will easily stack and fit) in a 50 caliber ammo can.
and in the last 40 plus years I,ve pulled a few out of storage and shot them,empty and re-cleaned re-oiled and refilled to a 25 capacity and reloaded /re-stored dozens over the years with zero problems.
a sealed 50 caliber ammo can with the sealed magazines comes out even decades later in pristine condition, if stored in a cool dry place.
and yeah, Ive used ammo I loaded 20 plus years ago with zero mis-fires and Ive never had a weak magazine spring in either style mag.

molysp2.JPG
molysp1.JPG

25700.jpg

http://ammunitionstore.com/products/50-cal-ammo-can-m2a1-military-surplus-like-new.html
if you only have a couple magazines the 50 cal cans are a decent option
60860.jpg

a couple 40 mm ammo cans are about ideal if you have a bunch of magazines
40mmnew.jpg

http://www.armysurpluswarehouse.com/ammo-cans-storage-containers/40mm-ammo-box.html

its a damn good idea to own several of the 50 cal ammo cans if you have a couple extra pistol or rifle magazines.
dirty, rusty magazines are usually nearly useless and become permanently damaged rapidly.
(don,t forget to use the zip-lock bags and a storage prep like written up above)
but if you have a few dozen , upgrading to the larger 40-mm ammo can ,
makes a great deal more sense economically as your container generally,
costs less than twice as much as the 50 cal cans,
but holds MORE than twice the volume in contents.

obviously the varying ,size, bulk, length of the magazines limits the storage capacity,

but the larger the internal volume,
is the more options in how the contents stack ,you have available.
 
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https://www.cdnnsports.com/9mm-33rd-4th-gen-dual-cut.html#.WlU4OKinG9I


has the 9mm 33 round capacity glock mags available at a reasonable price

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...-17-19-26-34-9mm-luger-33-round-polymer-black

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/pro...r-19-or-26-glock-9mm-handguns-764503170331.do

http://www.primaryarms.com/glock-factory-17-magazine-33-round-9mm-mggl17133-mggl17133



10mm glock mags

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...lock-20-20sf-10mm-auto-15-round-polymer-black

https://gunmagwarehouse.com/glock-magazine-glock-20-20sf-10mm-auto-15-round-polymer-black.html


https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...ine-glock-20-10mm-auto-10-round-polymer-black

https://www.cheaperthandirt.net/pro...MI5_zhubWW2QIVT7jACh3LKAEAEAQYAyABEgIBlPD_BwE
with practice a new full magazines seated, and the slide seats a cartridge, before the old empty magazine you ejected hits the ground

http://www.climags.com/categories/Glock/

https://www.lonewolfdist.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=154


UZI carbine
if you really want a cheap to operate very low recoil semi auto carbine you might want to look into an UZI semi auto

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/69630

uzi830.jpg

uzi831.jpg

uzi832.jpg

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/UZI-32RD-MAGAZINE-IMI-ISRAEL-163p2921.htm

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/RUSTY-UZI-25RD-MAGAZINE-IMI-ISRAEL-SURPLUS-F-G-163p4745.htm

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/uzi-replacement-barrels/

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/Parts-Kits-and-Build-Parts-c161.htm

https://www.robertrtg.com/store/pc/DELUXE-UZI-SMG-PARTS-KIT-WOOD-STOCK-161p85.htm

https://crypticpunk.wordpress.com/building-the-fully-legal-semi-automatic-uzi-carbine/

http://www.e-sarcoinc.com/uzi.aspx

https://www.dsarms.com/c-725-uzi-parts.aspx

http://uzigunparts.com/
 
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I found this video rather interesting,
I got the distinct impression most of the guys in the video were not familiar with the rifles and magazine changes,
other than the ak47 and ar15 in some cases.
I'd bet some of those guys had rarely if ever used some of those rifles, looking at the results in the video

 
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I found that is was familiarity with the AR was the winner. If you or I had tried that, the results might look different even though we might not have ever shot some of them..
 
yeah If the guys were much more familiar with the rifles,
I think the results would have been smooth, faster.
Ive never had issues with an M1a or G3
they make it look far more difficult that it can be with minimal practice,
and I have to point out that with a 20-30 shot magazine,
you should have confronted and eliminated the threat,
long before a single magazine change was mandatory.
as in all confrontations ONLY hits count!
throwing shots in the general direction, is nearly useless.
 
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https://gunmagwarehouse.com/sgm-tactical-glock-20-10mm-30-round-extended-magazine.html




 
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buying rifle or pistol mags in quantity ,
is ALWAYS a GREAT INVESTMENT,:like:
IVE NEVER seen anyone loose money on mags when they resell later.

and at times mags are no longer available , :facepalm:
this ALWAYS causes the price to rapidly increase if you happen to own a few

IVE seem mags that used to sell for $30, now sell for $130 each IF YOU CAN FIND ANY
and many sell for 300%-600% more than originally


if you have spare.. UNLOADED magazines, store in doubled zip-loc gallon bags, after liberal spray of WD40
or similar rust preventative spray ideally in 40mm ammo cans as these are air tight, moisture proof
you could very easily see a 200%-400% plus increase in the sale price inside of a few years
mags that used to sell only 20 years ago, for under $10-$23 now easily bring $56-90 each if you can find any

example

414EpgVH7KL._AC_.jpg




 
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