How long can you leave your 1894c loaded?

[Old Lucky 01]

I have a Marlin 1894c...early 1980's vintage.  Does anyone know how long I can leave my rifle fully loaded?  I usually load it with 38 special +P 147 gr JHP's...10 in the tube, then leave it like that as my go to house gun. I am concerned that the magazine tube spring can be adversly effected over time, and also that the bullets, under pressure, may be pushed back into their cases (which could cause pressure problems).

[Richard P]

People who have pistol magazines say the spring wears through use (compressing and decompressing) more than from simply being compressed.  When I bought my 1894 357 (used) and got it home, I couldnt get a round in the tube.  Upon inspection someone had loaded a 38s&w round and followed it with a lead bullet 38spl. Apparently those were never fired and remained in the tube. From appearances other rounds had been loaded behind them causing a compression and the 38spl casing had begun to collapse and its nose to flatten. The 38s&w headstamp was impressed in the 38spl nose. After prying them out it works great.

[Old Lucky 01]

I wonder how long those two rounds were in your magazine tube?  Also, I suppose factory vs reloads would be an issue as well.  I would also like to know if jacketed bullets are effected differently than all lead bullets.  I feel the magazine spring isn't much, if any, of a worry, but I am still concerned about bullets seating back into their case under the pressure.   

[pastorp]

Lucky, When I owned a 1894C I just kept 3 or 4 rounds in the tube and a handfull beside it in a cup to replenish it if needed. 3-4 rounds don't compress the spring much & give you a few rounds to get started if someone breaks in. 

Regards,

[bilmac]

I think coil springs are supposed to be pretty much immune to fatigue, it is flat springs that can loose their tension over time.

Great minds must work alike, I consider my 94 to be my house gun too. I do something similar to patorp, but I keep 6 or 7 in the tube.

[Old Lucky 01]

Like I said, I am not concerned with the magazine spring compression issue...just the pressure on the bullet and the possibility of it getting forced back into the case itself.  From talking to other Marlin owners, I now feel that there isn't anything to worry about anyway....I'll keep checking the rounds in the tube, but it seems like I was worried for no good reason.