The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

HH1 wrote:
Ok, I understand that.... I still don't think it is a good idea to be carting loaded mags around....

Good for you. But others might think it is a good idea and they'll not be breaking the law.

The military definition, and some shooting disciplines, define the 'load' as the application of a magazine (no mention of rounds being in it or not). The firearm is then loaded if the magazine is applied/fitted.

The FA defines loaded, thanks to HH1:

HH1 wrote:
Section 57(6) of the 1968 Act includes a definition of “loaded” in relation to shotguns and air weapons.
A shot gun or an air weapon is to be treated as loaded if there is ammunition in the chamber or barrel or in any magazine or other device which is in such a position that the ammunition can be fed into the chamber or barrel by the manual or automatic operation of some part of the gun or weapon.

which only relates to shotguns and air weapons and then only to the chamber or fitted magazine of same.

So again, it is perfectly legal and right to transport firearm ammunition in detached magazines to and from the range if you so wish.

ColinR wrote:I was always taught not to keep magazines loaded for any amount of time as it will eventually weaken the springs.

The metallurgists at a previous place of work told me that it is not the loading of springs that weakens them, it is the constant load-unload cycle that weakens them. Keeping them loaded or unloaded will not weaken them, or will do so only very slightly over time (if kept within their elastic limit). Removing unfired rounds will complete another (unnecessary?) cycle and so hasten the end of life of the spring.

The biggest problem with keeping mags loaded is the possible distortion of the feed lip due to the pressure of the rounds, particularly with plastic/polymer mags or similar.

ColinR wrote:I was always taught not to keep magazines loaded for any amount of time as it will eventually weaken the springs. Consequently I never load magazines until I am at the range and ready to shoot. It does make sense that a loaded magazine, even when kept separately from the firearm makes that firearm more imminently usable and should therefore be considered as a reducing factor in ultimate security when a firearm and ammunition are being transported.

This has been discussed and tested many times on ar15.com etc where guys in the States have fully loaded AR and AK mags with compressed springs sat in their safes for a year or more with no discernable decrease in spring tension/efficiency when the mag is finally used.

HH1 wrote:
Wow!

I thought it was common knowledge that you absolutely can NOT transport loaded magazines to and from the range... nor can you store loaded magazines in your ammo safe. You can only legally load up your magazines once at the shooting range or upon arrival at the land you shoot over.


Show me where it says this?

It states on my FAC that the mag has to be empty to and from the range.

ordnance wrote:

HH1 wrote:
Wow!

I thought it was common knowledge that you absolutely can NOT transport loaded magazines to and from the range... nor can you store loaded magazines in your ammo safe. You can only legally load up your magazines once at the shooting range or upon arrival at the land you shoot over.


Show me where it says this?

It states on my FAC that the mag has to be empty to and from the range.

Is that just a restriction for NI?

Rockhopper wrote:A rifle with a magazine on is considered to be loaded whether the magazine is empty or full. The Police won't have any issue with you carrying rounds in your magazines as long as the mags are not on the rifle. Some ranges might though as they often don't allow you to use the magazine, you can only load single rounds. You get into a whole other world of NSPs when you start filling mags so your drills need to be spot on.

Correct - magazine applied = loaded. Loaded magazine not applied - rifle is not loaded.

But guess what - its not an offence to have a loaded firearm in public !!! As long as you are using it in accordance with your FAC conditions.

Is that just a restriction for NI?

Passably my FAC is away for a variation i can't remember the exact wording. I will post a photo of the wording if my FAC ever comes back, two months and counting for a variation.

Ok well I have mentioned this post at our gun club tonight....

One club secretary who has a lot of involvement with the police and sits as a member of their Matrix meetings said, "No, you can't transport magazines that are loaded. Various other people agreed that this was the case, except one member who is quite well versed in the law and has lived in Canada. He said that loaded magazines are no different than having them in a box or other container. The club owner said that while it may not actually be illegal to have loaded magazines in a public place, it is certainly not recommended and you may have a though time justifying yourself. I explained that the original poster had osteoarthritis in both thumbs and found it difficult to load the mags so would prefer to do this at his own pace at home. To this the club owner said that such a person "may" have a "good reason".... but for the rest of us, No!

One other consideration... nfarmer, have you tried any of the various "easy-loaders"? I use a Maglula for loading my 33rnd 9mm Glock Magazines.
I also a McFadden Lightnin Grip Loader for my 25rnd .22RF Magazines. Certainly makes the task quicker and easier.

ordnance wrote:if my FAC ever comes back, two months and counting for a variation.

Mine just recently was 19 weeks

David