Round Rotation

[G1zm0]

I've got a Springfield XD Compact .45ACP that I always rotate the mags with and even streach the springs on every so often. The question at hand is how often should I get new rounds for it?? FYI I'm currently using Federal Premium 165 grain Low-Recoil Hydra-Shoks

[Ganef]

Stretching the springs is a great way to wear them out faster.

Ammo doesn't go bad. Just don't let it get dirty.

[G1zm0]

Stretching the springs is a great way to wear them out faster.

Wouldn't the spring compression be even worse for them??

[Ganef]

They are made to be compressed to a certain amount. When you forcefully stretch them you are deforming the metal. This decreases the life cycle of the spring by yielding the material. If the spring doesn't return to it's original position then the same thing has happened but the opposite way, but to a lesser extent, forcefully stretching it back damages it.
Just finishing a class on fatigue analysis for my engineering degree.

[G1zm0]

Then you would definitely know. Wont be doing that anymore.

[Seedy]

yes leaving rounds in mags is ok because like what was already said shooting and reloading mags is actually what wears springs out.
also if you leave a round chambered in your barrel you'll want to rotate that round with a fresh one every once in awhile because everytime a round gets chambered the slug actually gets pushed back into the cartridge a little bit. cops cycle their rounds for this reason because they work with one in the chamber all the time.

[IconarmsDealer]

Oil can sometimes foul a round left in the chamber ( your not in combat) so there are few situations that will require you to be cocked and locked. if you will be going someplace where you may need to bring the weapon into play then chamber a round.  Topping off the mags...well I never max out my mags I load 28 in my Ar15 if they wont be emptied any time soon,and in my Hi-cap hand guns are 2 shy of full.
  "2 shots is a gun fight, 17 is afire fight "

[Seedy]

you could load 30 in a Pmag no problem  
from what I understand the "29 or 28" rounds in a mag is an old Army thing or something.

[Vince]

you could load 30 in a Pmag no problem  
from what I understand the "29 or 28" rounds in a mag is an old Army thing or something.

It's hard to seat a fully loaded GI spec mag with the bolt closed.

It's also bad for the feed lips.

[Doc Hollywood]

I replace my daily carry rounds once a year.  Since I have to re-qualify every year I just fire them off at range day.  

While ammo does not go bad I follow this routine because 1) I would otherwise never fire the ammo that I carry on a daily basis and 2) its set policy of the organization to which I belong that I do so.

The only time I cycle the chambered round is when I have to make the weapon safe for some extrinsic purpose such as checking my weapon with an airline or my regular cleaning and functions checks.

I always carry full magazines and have a round chambered.  All day - every day.

[IconarmsDealer]

you could load 30 in a Pmag no problem  
from what I understand the "29 or 28" rounds in a mag is an old Army thing or something.

LOL Im an  old Army thing!...