How long do you/can you leave a P-Mag loaded? I load 20 rounds in them and have a few that have a few years on them loaded w/o the lip protector.
Any reason to empty them?

Thanks

I load 28 in mine & they're not marked so some could have been loaded for at least 5 years. When I take them to the range I grab however many I think I'll use. Most of mine do not have protective cover. So far no problems, but compared to others I'm rather new at this.

Load em up, put the cap on if it bugs ya.

Thought Magpul said the protective cover was to protect the feedlips from damage....
as in bashing around......not due to keeping them loaded and stressing anything.

They are a simple machine. Nothing to break when static.
Use is what will weaken the spring not compression.

I bought 3 "OKAY" brand metal 30 round mags and load one and then empty it and load another each first of the month. I rotate my pistol mags too. YMMV

That actually does more "damage" to the magazines than leaving them loaded.

How so?

Springs take a set then stop when loaded.

Working the spring (loading/unloading) weakens the spring. Think of twisting a piece of baling wire. Bend it and it takes a set. Bend it back and forth and it’ll break.

I’ve still got a 20 round mag in my truck that’s been loaded with 18 rounds for 20 years or so. I’ve shot it and reloaded it a few times but it still works just fine.

The covers on Pmags are dust covers only.

I thought they were for keeping pressure off of the feed lips so they don't spread out when you load full up for years at a time.
Also keeps sand and grass hoppers from getting in the guts of the mag and then into yer rifle.

Direct from Magpul

An included pop-off Impact/Dust Cover can optionally be used to minimize debris ntrusion and protect against potential damage to the top cartridge during storage and transit.

Keeping magazines loaded does NOT stress or ruin the mag springs.

Everyone needs to learn this.

The question has come up many, many times. But the answer is always the same. It does not hurt magazine integrity to keep them loaded. Anyone who says it does, doesn't know what they are talking about.