loaded mags

[BigRat]

Since I have the new AR that's magazine fed, A thought crossed my mind when considering it for home defence use.  Storing loaded mags.  Will the magazine spring become weak after being compressed for long periods of time?  What about the cartridges, will they deform being held in a magazine for a long period of time?

Thanks
 
BigRat   

[Flushed]

It should be ok. you could buy an extra magazine and rotate it every couple months and inspect the rounds for corrosion. Use is what wears out most springs.


I'm curious does the 516 have chrome plating inside the barrel and bore? or is it nitriding? what type rounds are you using and what is the purpose of the 3 position switch at the end of the gas piston? Does the bolt travel on rails?

[BigB]

What Flushed said... I carry everywhere I go... I picked-up two extra mags
and rotate them around monthly...( usually when I clean/service )
I never thought about the rounds tho...?
I have not noticed any defects on them when swapping things out.. I do only
keep them around for only maybe 9-12 months.. Then I burn them up at the range..

I hope I NEVER need to deploy other than at the range, but IF that ever does occur
don't want to hear the sickening "click" from an old round not firing... Now that may not
be an issue and just me...? Others may say the ammo would be fine.. ?  Again IF I ever
had to draw.. I want the lowest probability of having a malfunction in that situation as
possible..

My... $.02 for what it's worth...

...B...

[BigRat]

It should be ok. you could buy an extra magazine and rotate it every couple months and inspect the rounds for corrosion. Use is what wears out most springs.


I'm curious does the 516 have chrome plating inside the barrel and bore? or is it nitriding? what type rounds are you using and what is the purpose of the 3 position switch at the end of the gas piston? Does the bolt travel on rails?

Thanks Flushed and Big B,

Rotating the mags is what was recommended to me by a neighbor who shoots as well.

Here's the overview specs on the rifle:

The Fulfilled Potential Of The AR-15/M16
One of the most tested and proven weapons systems in the world achieves ultimate refinement with the introduction of the SIG516 rifle. With its ambidextrous selector switch, chrome-lined, nitride-finished, military grade barrel and adjustable, three-position gas regulator, the SIG516 incorporates all of
the most desirable mechanical improvements. Add to these a free-floating quad rail forend and barrel, and you have the most advanced, versatile AR-based rifle available.

Note: Actual production rifle may differ slightly from photos.

FEATURES
• Gas piston operating system
• Three-position gas regulator
• 5.56 x 45mm NATO
• Free-floating military grade chrome lined barrel
• M1913 Picatinny flat top upper
• 7075-T6 Aircraft grade aluminum upper & lower receiver with hard coat anodize finish

The actual bolt is pushed back by a long rod in the front gas block, which has a return spring to push the piston back into position after firing, from what I understand.  The gas regulator actually has four positions in my model, normal use, partially fouled (extra gas is used, in case of carbon build up), suppressed (for use with suppressor), and single round (no gas flow, not semi anymore).

So far I've only shot winchester 5.56 55gr through it (40rds)

 
BigRat

[ASAdog]

Storing loaded mags.  Will the magazine spring become weak after being compressed for long periods of time?  What about the cartridges, will they deform being held in a magazine for a long period of time?

Only a small risk of spring set with most modern magazine springs, but some risk never-the-less. I load a few rounds shy of a full magazine (I usually keep a six shooter handy for home defense, so why would having only 17 rounds instead of twenty bother me ), and rotate mags every couple of months.

Deformation of the rounds isn’t likely (unless the mag is tossed around or dropped hard), but corrosion is possible (likely, the longer the rounds are in there). Just inspect when you rotate mags.

Also, that gas piston system makes more sense to me than the standard M16/AR 15 system, especially if one shoots a lot. I don’t often get out with my long arms as often as I do with my handguns, so I’m not likely to replace my current AR (Rock River Arms) just to get a new gun with the new system – neat that you got it though.

At your service,

[BigRat]

Thanks ASA,

Sounds like a 1/2 mag rotated every other month might be the ticket.  If I can't hit them with 15rds in my house, something is wrong

 
BigRat