Mag Spring life?

[Simonsay]

I didn't really see a better place to post this and my searches didn't turn up much.  If it needs to be moved or someone can link an old thread, I'd appreciate it. 

The short story is...  I'm having issues with one of my 9 new mags for a virtually new Shadow from the Custom Shop.  If I load it up, the first round will typically dive when hand cycling and or 3 point jam.  This mag has virtually no use other than being fully loaded for reload drills and often rattles when it's fully loaded.  This is a competition gun but still, can I count on these things to quit in short order?   If stock springs are crap, why aren't the +xx% springs shipped as standard?     

[Stuart]

SP01 mag?

have you checked length and width of feedlips? vs the other mags?
is this only handcycling the round into the chamber? going slow ( are you holding the slide )or just let the slide go forward ( release the slide and let the spring do it )

mag fully loaded? all rounds? or will it start feeding with 15 or 12 or 10?

thanks

[Simonsay]

Stuart,

I haven't measured the lips yet but these are the 18 rounders that come with the shadow. This mag malfs whether I  rack/release or rack and ease forward.  It occurs when the mag is fully loaded and then starts working at maybe the 10 to 12 round count. I'm going to swap out some stuff tonight and see if I can isolate the spring or tube on it.  Last night I gave the spring a little bit of a stretch and it hand cycled perfectly for a little while but then went back to the original problem.

I bought this gun used from a friend who only shot in one match and a couple of range sessions for chrono work.  The gun has less than 2 or 300 rounds through it with 9 new mags.  I've yet to shoot it as the new owner.  I'll post back when I swap out some parts and do some measuring.

[MW surveyor]

Simonsay

One thing to try is to disassemble the "bad" mag and one "good" mag side by side.  Make sure the springs match.  Take the follower out of the "good" one and put it in the bad one.  Assemble and try out.  If it works, it's the follower if not, use the spring and follower from the "good" mag in the bad mag.  If it now works, its the spring.  If it still doesn't work, its the mag body.  Also, make sure that the bad mag is clean and well lubed as the problem can possibly also be a sticking follower.

Seems like the high cap magazines all rattle when fully charged.  I know the ones for my Phantom do 

[Cesar]

10rds mags rattle as well.

I'd suggest replacing all your mag springs with +10% for added reliability, I did all mine and they sure work better.
If you get the springs, get one follower as a spare at the same time, may be even a slide stop too

[Simonsay]

This seems to be a spring issue based on some swap testing.  Now a second mag is starting to rattle.  The match this morning was rained out but since we showed up, the MD let us do a little testing.  Second mag was used two times with no problems.  The rain rolled back in and we decided to hit to road.  More testing to continue.  I've been through short life springs with Wilson which I could only milk about six months out of.  I hope this is not the case with the new CZ.

[Foma]

10rds mags rattle as well.

I'd suggest replacing all your mag springs with +10% for added reliability, I did all mine and they sure work better.
If you get the springs, get one follower as a spare at the same time, may be even a slide stop too

Cesar -

Where do you recommend getting the +10% springs. Also, is it the same spring for the 18 round / 17 round / 16 round mags. I have all from Mec-Gar that fit the CZ Shadow.

Thanks,