How long is too long? - Tactical Advantage

American Handgunner, Sept-Oct, 2002 by Ken Hackathorn

For those of us who carry or use semiauto pistols for serious purposes, the question of how long it's "safe" to leave your magazines loaded has always been an issue. My recommendation has always been to rotate your magazines every six months, and never leave duty or self-defense magazines loaded for more than one year.

How long can pistol magazines be left loaded and still be reliable? Let me tell you about an interesting loaded magazine that just came my way. One of the "Greatest Generation" had passed away, a former Navy Seabee who, upon returning from the South Pacific in 1945, put his GI 1911 on a closet shelf in condition three. After his death, the family chose to dispose of this great old .45. Wayne Novak ended up with the pistol, a well used Union Switch & Signal M1911A1, complete with GI pistol belt and holster. The magazine kept in this pistol had been loaded with 1941 dated Remington ammo for the past 57 years.

Wayne showed me the pistol and offered me the magazine, still loaded with these tarnished old rounds. Wayne said, "Why don't you see if it still feeds reliably."