Storing rounds in magazine

[Point223]

Good? Bad? Does it wear out the springs?

Thanks,

[North East]

Good? Bad? Does it wear out the springs?

Thanks,

If want wear our springs and if you have nothing up the chamber immediately before shooting it's a hell of a lot safer.

I never use the safety.

[bigfellascott]

Just don't leave em in if you're on public Roads etc - illegal and will end up bad for you (considered a loaded gun even if the mag is removed from the rifle and stored separately).

[brett1868]

I believe that having rounds in a magazine even if not in the rifle is still classed as the rifle being loaded. Sounds stupid I know but that's how I was taught when doing my pistol license, it's not unloaded till the mag is empty. Keeping a spring compressed will weaken it over time though I suspect the amount of time required to weaken it beyond function is in the years though you can always pull it out and stretch it again anyway. I'd be putting the rounds in the appropriate separate locked container and leaving the empty mag in the rifle where it won't be forgotten or lost.

[WesleySnipes]

Good? Bad? Does it wear out the springs?

Thanks,

It is now known that storing magazines loaded will not wear out the spring, it is the loading and unloading and working of the spring that causes wear.

But this is of course in theory, as it probably isn't legal to store mags with rounds in them in your state

[SendIt]

Keeping a spring compressed (within it's tolerance) won't damage it.

Same as a firing pin spring, they're under some compression 24/7/365.

[Sender]

Wears our your license in a couple of states if you're found with it I think.

WA and VIC if I remember, not sure about others.

[Point223]

Thanks for the replies..

Can't find an exact ruling on NSW FAR website. Can anyone provide a link to law?

I'm going to go with the safest option and keep them unloaded.

[ChicagoTed]

it shouldnt wear out the spring, i have loaded m1 carbine mags from ww2 that still function fine. the spring moving is what wears it out, even then its really nothing to worry about any decent mag should last a life time

[Walt68]

just bad, like drugs.

[handofcod]

I'm interested in this too. I have a number of ten shot mags for the scout and was thinking of having them pre loaded with a couple of different ammo types so I can just grab one and go.

Is it improper storage even if locked seperately and according to ammo storage requirements?

[KWhorenet]

I'm interested in this too. I have a number of ten shot mags for the scout and was thinking of having them pre loaded with a couple of different ammo types so I can just grab one and go.

Is it improper storage even if locked seperately and according to ammo storage requirements?

Can you store magazines in a plastic locked box? I think not.

Surely part (most) of the anfractuous storage requirement's design is to slow us down in the event we want to grab a gun and shoot all of a sudden.
Heated argument, home invasion, brain snap or a thieving bastard fox...but this only works for people who 100% abide of course

It sucks balls IMO as often that pesky old fox has had time to flee the scene of it's crime before I'm ready to discuss my discontent with it half eating my plump peaches.

[Arth]

Correct me if I'm wrong... If you're at home on your property and it's under your direct care you could have your rifle sitting out all day?

You are legitimately 'hunting' after all, you're just waiting for Mr Fox to present himself on your property.

[Josh Smith]

Legalities aside, it won't hurt anything.

Stateside, folks are all the time finding loaded .45acp magazines from WWI and WWII and the inter-war periods. This is, of course, becoming less frequent, but it does still happen.

These magazines fire fine.

When you make a spring, it's longer than it will be. Springs do take a set, but only to a certain point -- they find their natural set point. This is why you might install a new recoil spring in, say, a 1911 pistol, only to find it shorter the next time you clean it. It will get that short and no shorter.

What fatigues springs is use and movement. Loading and then unloading magazines wear springs. Leaving them under compression does not wear them out.

Josh

[David Brown]

I'm interested in this too. I have a number of ten shot mags for the scout and was thinking of having them pre loaded with a couple of different ammo types so I can just grab one and go.

Is it improper storage even if locked seperately and according to ammo storage requirements?

Thats a very good question.

I do not believe so. When you read the legislation, the ammo should be stored in a suitable container and a magazine would be a suitable container, and locked away but not with the rifle/pistol.

I have not found any firearm or explosives act that says you would be wrong in doing so. If someone can, please point me to it.

From memory the definition of a firearm is not a magazine. Thus you do not have a loaded firearm when stored separately and locked away as you propose.

Happy to be proven wrong, with reference to the various acts.

[handofcod]

I'm interested in this too. I have a number of ten shot mags for the scout and was thinking of having them pre loaded with a couple of different ammo types so I can just grab one and go.

Is it improper storage even if locked seperately and according to ammo storage requirements?

Thats a very good question.

I do not believe so. When you read the legislation, the ammo should be stored in a suitable container and a magazine would be a suitable container, and locked away but not with the rifle/pistol.

I have not found any firearm or explosives act that says you would be wrong in doing so. If someone can, please point me to it.

From memory the definition of a firearm is not a magazine. Thus you do not have a loaded firearm when stored separately and locked away as you propose.

Happy to be proven wrong, with reference to the various acts.

This is my thinking too. I couldn't find any requirement in the regs that state a plastic magazine is equated the same storage restrictions as a firearm. In fact I've received all my spare mags in the mail, definitely not something that would happen for a rifle. So the question is I guess - Is the rifle "loaded" if it's locked in the safe and one of the mags that fits into that rifle is likewise locked away, but separate from the rifle, and has ammo in it?

I've seen comments from other forums about this and no one has been able to find the references regarding this area, despite a commonly held view that it's against the rules to do so. If someone can point me in the right direction that would be great.

[David Brown]

The regulations say what they mean, and mean what they say. Nothing more, nothing less.

[KWhorenet]

The regulations say what they mean, and mean what they say. Nothing more, nothing less.

Not arguing but curious; so based on this no where is it said firearm parts need to be stored in a safe? i.e. barrels, actions, trigger mech, magazine etc

[bigfellascott]

I reckon if you do leave mags loaded in the safe or car or wherever else you normally store your mags you'll find yourself in trouble, just not worth the risk in my opinion, could cost you a few $$$ to sort it out even if you are found to be in the right (which as we know comes down to how a judge interprets a lot of these things) its as never black and white as we think, perhaps that's why none of us can find anything about it?

[Point223]

I'm calling the registry come Monday to ask about it.

[David Brown]

I reckon if you do leave mags loaded in the safe or car or wherever else you normally store your mags you'll find yourself in trouble, just not worth the risk in my opinion, could cost you a few $$$ to sort it out even if you are found to be in the right (which as we know comes down to how a judge interprets a lot of these things) its as never black and white as we think, perhaps that's why none of us can find anything about it?

Somewhere, and I do not have the definitions with me, but there is a definition of what constitutes a firearm, or which major portions, so a chamber and barrel are but the stock not. So you can't just scatter all the parts on your living room table.

[David Brown]

I'm calling the registry come Monday to ask about it.

Thats a good idea. The problem is, unless they can quote you specific page and paragraph of legislation proving one way or the other, they may just offer you an opinion. Far too many times in many government safety related departments, you will get a good well meaning opinion…..and it is wrong.

We have a saying with CASA….ask 3 people get 6 opinions!

Be careful with advice…..especially mine!

[anthillinside]

Good? Bad? Does it wear out the springs?

Thanks,

Most of the replies have focused on the legalities I'll leave that as fully covered.
Does it wear out the springs, also mentioned ..not in my life time
Good or Bad ? your preference, my .22c
Why would you scatter your ammo around?
3,4,5 in 1,2 3 mags a part box in the safe or other lock box etc.
I like to have all mine together where I can stock take it quickly.
I keep a lock box in the safe with all I need for an average session / trip so a pack'n'go is simple.
You want to work out something that works for you.
In my case it had little to do with "Guns and Shooting" more about where and when and how easy

[handofcod]

Found this regarding Tas regs (Firearms Regulations 2006):

http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas ... /s12a.html

FIREARMS REGULATIONS 2006 - REG 12A
12A. Safety requirements for conveying other firearms

The following are safety requirements for conveying a firearm that is not a prohibited firearm:
(a) the firearm is to be in the unloaded condition;
(b) ammunition is to be in a closed container, completely separate from the firearm;
(c) magazines are not to contain any ammunition;

No such requirements found in the Vic regs though, 1996 or 2008. At least not that Ive found....

[KWhorenet]

Found this regarding Tas regs (Firearms Regulations 2006):

http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas ... /s12a.html

FIREARMS REGULATIONS 2006 - REG 12A
12A. Safety requirements for conveying other firearms

The following are safety requirements for conveying a firearm that is not a prohibited firearm:
(a) the firearm is to be in the unloaded condition;
(b) ammunition is to be in a closed container, completely separate from the firearm;
(c) magazines are not to contain any ammunition;

No such requirements found in the Vic regs though, 1996 or 2008. At least not that Ive found....

Did you see anything about storing magazines regardless of being loaded or not?

[handofcod]

Found this regarding Tas regs (Firearms Regulations 2006):

http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/tas ... /s12a.html

FIREARMS REGULATIONS 2006 - REG 12A
12A. Safety requirements for conveying other firearms

The following are safety requirements for conveying a firearm that is not a prohibited firearm:
(a) the firearm is to be in the unloaded condition;
(b) ammunition is to be in a closed container, completely separate from the firearm;
(c) magazines are not to contain any ammunition;

No such requirements found in the Vic regs though, 1996 or 2008. At least not that Ive found....

Did you see anything about storing magazines regardless of being loaded or not?

Nope, nothing at all.

NSW is a bit more interesting. In the definitions section is says a 'firearm' is distinct from a 'firearm part', and a magazine is a 'firearm part'. Make of that what you will.

The Vic version of the 1996 act has no such definition as far as I can tell.

[David Brown]

I think that even in Tasmania, say a farmer, could quite legally leave a couple of mags loaded, and all he needs to do to kill a snake or shoot a fox, is unlock the safe and the ammo box grab what he/she needs and go. But driving to the range is different, and clearly there is no need either. I had read the Tassie stuff before and the above is what I determined.

I can't see any reason that you could not have loaded mags in a locked ammo box in say Qld. Next time I am shooting with a mate (snr QPS copper) I will ask what he thinks, but again that will only be an opinion, albeit on our side of the fence and not a can't do guy.

Interesting thread this one! Glad to see it indeed.

[Arth]

Not arguing but curious; so based on this no where is it said firearm parts need to be stored in a safe? i.e. barrels, actions, trigger mech, magazine etc

But isn't it the case a firearm barrel or action is classed as a 'firearm'.

And 'firearms' need to be stored.

So it's said but in a completely round-about and unclear way.

[Point223]

I called.. and Here's what I was told:

Do not store bullets in mags, neither at home or in car.

He said it's a grey area but he advised against storing rounds in mags.

Now I will email to get a written answer because as someone already mentioned you will probably get different answers depending on whom you're talking to at the NSW FAR.

[bigfellascott]

Good advice re the "Grey Area" which means it could or couldn't end up in a visit before the judge and we know how they work, you can't G'tee an outcome that won't cost you a heap of $$ so easier and way cheaper to play it smart and just unload ya mags, who honestly wants to risk their firearms and wallet just so you can have a few rounds in a mag for some stupid reason - not me I can tell you that much!

Good luck to those who want to take the risk.