I have a question about firearms storage. I typically store my firearms with empty mags, and a mag inserted. My question is will storing an auto loader with a magazine inserted weaken the mag spring or cause it to set from the resistance of the slide lock. Initially I thought no, but I just retrieved a Witness from my storage location, and noticed that the factory mag (MecGar) will no longer lock the slide back. The follower stops right at the slide lock, but it wont push past to engage. The factory mag has been stored inside the gun for a few years. Last time the pistol went on a range trip it functioned properly, but now it wont engage the slide lock. I inspected the mag and the spring seems very strong, the follower was clean and I cleaned the mag body, but nothing I do can get the follower to engage the slide lock.
Eventually to remedy the problem I switched the mag guts with the follower spring and floor plate from another mag, and now both mags seem to work, but under no circumstances will the magazine work in its factory configuration.
The only thing I can come up with is sitting in the gun unused either the mag body deformed or the mag spring weakened under the slide lock pressure. However, when I put the spring and follower from Mag #2 in the housing for the factory mag I noticed the follower seemed to slow down at a the same point the factory spring and follower would stop. Alomost seems like the housing is defromed enough to slow down the follower.
Only way I can get the factory mag in its factory configuration to lift the follower up to its proper height is by pressing it down and removing my finger fast. Both the factory mag and Mag #2 are Mec Gar mags. Im going to the range later in the week to see if every thing functions properly with the new configuration, but now the slide lock does engage.
How common is it that unloaded magazines break whilst being stored in firearms? Any idea how this could have happened?
Eventually to remedy the problem I switched the mag guts with the follower spring and floor plate from another mag, and now both mags seem to work, but under no circumstances will the magazine work in its factory configuration.
The only thing I can come up with is sitting in the gun unused either the mag body deformed or the mag spring weakened under the slide lock pressure. However, when I put the spring and follower from Mag #2 in the housing for the factory mag I noticed the follower seemed to slow down at a the same point the factory spring and follower would stop. Alomost seems like the housing is defromed enough to slow down the follower.
Only way I can get the factory mag in its factory configuration to lift the follower up to its proper height is by pressing it down and removing my finger fast. Both the factory mag and Mag #2 are Mec Gar mags. Im going to the range later in the week to see if every thing functions properly with the new configuration, but now the slide lock does engage.
How common is it that unloaded magazines break whilst being stored in firearms? Any idea how this could have happened?
