Rotary Magazine, proper storage..

[Ijuggle]

Is it bad to keep a rotary magazine loaded for days at a time?
I have been keeping them empty but would really like to have one "ready to go" when I find a rat on the bird feeder.
I'm talking specifically about Marauder and Crown magazines.
Thanks.

[mobilehomer]

It will not hurt the springs at all. Magazines stay loaded for years with no degradation.

[eeler1]

I dunno, I've seen spring fatigue in other makes.  Of course, not over a few days.  Maybe limit pellets to 3 or 4?   

[xtred1]

I was going to ask this same question, I just replaced a bunch of mag springs in my PBs

[Mole2017]

Life in a magazine is not hard on springs, so don't work worry about it. In fact, I intentionally lowered the preload on my BSA/Gamo magazines because I thought them too strong. Probably needn't have worried, but the spring clicks the pellet against a stop inside that does wear over time. I was more concerned about denting skirts in the process, thinking that was why people like single shot loading trays, but I could see wear there and on the bolt o-ring a potential issue in the long run.

However, lint inside your magazine is a problem. I picked up a piece inside my magazine some time after lowering the tension. I noticed it advanced sluggishly on a couple of cycles. Opened it up, blew it out and even lubed it a little bit and now back to normal. My lint probably came from inside my pants pocket. I'm also careful about putting my magazines in a field bag--I put them in a baggy to keep dirt and debris at bay.

[rangerfredbob]

The marauder mags are similar in action to a tape measure, there's a couple turns of preload most likely, I wouldn't worry about it, I leave mine loaded and have for 5 years, no issue... Most mag springs that fatigue are loaded to capacity in PB's which are near bottomed out, complete different mechanism on those magazines...

[Wayne52]

I doubt that it would be that hard on a mag to keep that spring with tension on it, I've left the ones for my SPAM16 full quite often and didn't notice any difference

[triggertreat]

I've had no issues with keeping Marauder magazines loaded.  I tune for three mags and keep three mags loaded at all times in both my calibers.


I've also purchased the dual mag holders from Shorty which keeps all three mags with the gun ready to go.
  Benjamin Marauder .177/.22/.25 cal Dual Mag Clip (DoveTail Scope Mount Only!)

[Rabbit\Squirrel Killer]

The marauder mags are similar in action to a tape measure, there's a couple turns of preload most likely, I wouldn't worry about it, I leave mine loaded and have for 5 years, no issue... Most mag springs that fatigue are loaded to capacity in PB's which are near bottomed out, complete different mechanism on those magazines...

I have tape measures that got weak over time, but I am not concerned too much about the mags, I just prefer them to be ready so I don't miss out while fiddling with loading when needed. With PB I keep some aftermarket mags loaded but save the factory mags empty especially the old ones. My Sears Ranger .22 7 round mags still work great even though they are almost "75ish"? years old.