Cocked & Locked 1911

[mappow]

I keep my 1911 in the cocked & locked position. Any ideas how long it should be kept in this position? I concerned about the hammer spring. Also how often do you cycle out fully loaded clips? I try to rotate every couple weeks or so. But not really sure. Any help would be appreciated.

"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." --author and philosopher Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

[Old Zebra]

I'm far from an expert, but for years I've been told that springs wear out faster from flexing than anything else. In other words, a good magazine spring should be able to remain compressed for several years and still perform reliably when needed. I'm less certain about the mainspring and the sear spring, but I'm inclined to say the same thing. But again, I'm not the expert. Hopefully, others can shed more light on this.

[Red Hat]

Keep it cocked & locked as long as you want. All of my firearms that are SA stay C&L. It won't hurt the springs. Hammer and magazine springs are compression springs and are are designed to stay in that position. I only cycle my carry ammo every six to nine months. I fire them off then replace them with new ammo. I do this to make sure my ammo has not been contaminated not because of the springs.

[6shootercarry]

My Colt Officer's ACP is breaking in a new cocked and locked only Mini Slide Holster from Desantis. Both magazines have been loaded since getting the gun some 5 weeks ago. The mags for both my M&P's have been loaded since??? Anyway.. Not an issue. The springs are designed to maintain tension when compressed or relaxed. It's the transition from one state to the next that creates the stress.

Some interesting reading for 5 heads (not foreheads)...

Spring fatigue (Julius Chang; Julius Chang)

Peace...

[MNBlackjack]

Some interesting reading for 5 heads (not foreheads)...

Spring fatigue (Julius Chang; Julius Chang)

Peace...

That was some interesting reading. It's hard to argue with a subject matter expert.

I have a Beretta Model 96 and a Taurus PT1911 that are fully loaded all the time. I also have one AR15 mag that is loaded all the time, as is the Para LTC on my nightstand. I have never had an issue with mag spring failure.

[6shootercarry]

That was some interesting reading. It's hard to argue with a subject matter expert.

I have a Beretta Model 96 and a Taurus PT1911 that are fully loaded all the time. I also have one AR15 mag that is loaded all the time, as is the Para LTC on my nightstand. I have never had an issue with mag spring failure.

There is nothing more interesting or intense than a heated debate with engineers. I'm used to it, I work with 'em all day..

There are some valid points made that support the theory that a constantly loaded, well designed spring will not be damaged. If the spring were to be faulty or of poor design, the fault should present itself at the initial full loading or very shortly thereafter. So load the mag fully allow for a marked time to pass and unload to verify sufficient tension still exists. I guess if one really wants to know the pressure exerted by the spring when fully loaded some type of measurement could be made.

Load the magazine fully when new and using a bathroom scale (not the most accurate measuring tool) stand over the scale and press the magazine bullet down into the top plate of the scale and note the measurement when the bullet begins to clear contact with the lip of the magazine. Allow the magazine to sit for a period of time fully loaded and then rerun the same measuring procedure.

Yea I know not very accurate... I could spend hours coming up with rigs and measuring tools for this operation, but I would guess the measurement would not vary much.

Peace...

[mappow]

Thanks all for the input and 6shootercarry for the link. Lengthy article but to the point multiple times. Quality of the manufacturer and steel verses low quality steel and or extreme repetition of the spring. I'm sure somewhere there is static tester for springs but way beyond my need. Thanks again!



"The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities." --author and philosopher Ayn Rand (1905-1982)

[Itstjs]

Thanks for the post, I was going to post something similar to this, it answered my questions, I too worried about magazine springs, I have 4 for my m&p was getting worried that leaving at least 2 of them loaded would cause some problems and lead to failure.
Anyways, thanks again.