Before Typing in “Magazines for Sale,” Take Care of the One You Have!

Nearly all autoloading firearms and even some repeaters accept detachable magazines. Therefore, without a functional magazine, the operability of that platform will be reduced to single-shot status.

Key point: gun magazines are vital to the operation of the firearm platform.

When something stops working it’s tempting to get a new one, but much of the time (perhaps most of the time) this is wasteful behavior.

This applies to firearm magazines. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater when your mag gums up or stops feeding properly. There’s a good chance you can repair it, and an even better chance nothing’s seriously wrong and the mag just needs cleaning.

Before you look for gun magazines for sale, simply clean and restore your current mags.

How Often to Clean Your Gun Mag?
First, a difficult question: How often do you need to clean your mag?

There is no easy answer for this. It depends on the platform and how frequently you use it, as well as in what conditions. If it’s a small-bore rifle you use to hunt small game, which sees high-volume, constant shooting in adverse conditions (think rain and snow) you’ll want to clean it every time you take it afield (just as you would with the gun).

If it’s a mag you only use every once in a while, perhaps a few times per month or year at the range, it’ll need less attention. The volume of shooting will dictate the frequency of requisite maintenance. Clean your mags as often as you like (it won’t hurt) but make sure you give them a deep cleaning at least once per year.

Routine Maintenance
First, let’s talk about routine maintenance. This is the cursory level of care you should provide for your gun magazine after light or periodic use. When administering routine cleaning, 

there’s no need to disassemble the mag entirely.

After a light trip to the range, there shouldn’t be too much fouling accumulated around the outside of a gun’s mag and even less on the inside. All the same, giving it a good exterior cleaning and wipe down will keep things running smoothly.

First, remove your detachable mag and then use a nylon gun cleaning brush to dislodge any fouling from the follower or exterior of the mag housing. Do not attempt to depress the follower or “reach into” the magazine; if it’s that dirty, you’ll want to perform a deep clean.

After dislodging any visible fouling, wipe down the exterior of the magazine with a dry patch. If you need the assistance of a bore solvent, use it sparingly to remove any fouling residue. Once you have done so, apply a very light coating of oil to the exterior of the magazine to protect it against corrosion. Wipe away excess.

The Deep Clean
At least once per year (although more frequently is probably better) you’ll want to disassemble your magazine and administer a thorough cleaning.

If your magazine allows for disassembly (most do), remove the detachable floorplate, and then you can drop the internal spring out the bottom, followed by the follower (no pun intended)

You’ll likely notice an accumulation of fouling on the inside of the magazine body coating the spring and underneath the follower. This will occur over time on all followers but will be most pronounced in autoloaders (both recoil and gas operated autoloaders, but especially in those with gas systems) because some of the gas generated during recoil invariably enters the open action and the top of the mag when the action cycles rearward. Since this gas is under pressure, it will blast the interior of the action (and the magazine) with fouling.

Your job is to remove this fouling from the mag, follower, and spring, then protect them against corrosion before reassembling.

Use a nylon brush or a special magazine brush to scrub out the inside of the magazine. Use an appropriate fouling solvent if necessary to remove residue. Repeat the same for the magazine spring and magazine follower, cleaning them with a brush as appropriate.

Exercise particular attention to the magazine spring, as it is susceptible not only to fatiguing but to corrosion. Wipe down the follower, spring, and magazine housing with a dry patch when finishing, then apply a thin coating of oil to protect against corrosion.

This light coat of oil is of pronounced importance to protecting the magazine spring, since the magazine spring will rust if not insulated against corrosion. However, use only the lightest coat possible, as grease will trap fouling and accelerate abrasive mechanical damage if applied liberally.

Your Source for Gun Magazines for Sale
This preventative maintenance will help ensure your gun magazines serve you well into the future. But just in case you’re interested in a spare or are looking for a larger magazine with extended capacity, we’re your source for gun magazines for sale. Take a look through our online catalog of gun magazines for sale and give us a call at 610-250-3960 if you have any questions, or come visit us in our shop at 50 Hilton Street in Easton, Pennsylvania.