Maintaining and Storing Rimfire Magazines for Reliable Feeding
Rimfire magazines feed reliably for the life of the rifle if you keep them clean, lightly oiled, and free of grit at the feed lips — most .22 feeding problems trace back to a dirty magazine, not a worn-out rifle. Here's the specific routine for Marlin .22 LR, .22 WMR, and .17 HMR magazines, and what to do differently for long-term storage versus regular use.
Why Rimfire Magazines Need Regular Attention
Rimfire ammunition burns dirtier than most centerfire loads, which means more residue accumulates in the action and magazine over a normal range session. A magazine that isn't wiped down periodically collects this residue at the feed lips and follower, exactly where it interferes with smooth cartridge presentation. This is true whether you're running a 7-round factory magazine or a 10-round extended one — capacity doesn't change how much residue rimfire ammunition leaves behind.
The Basic Cleaning Routine
A magazine is a simple spring-and-follower system, so cleaning is quick. Unload it fully, then wipe the body, follower, and feed lips with a dry or lightly-oiled cloth to remove grit, powder residue, and moisture. Avoid heavy oil inside the magazine — it attracts debris that causes feeding problems rather than preventing them. If your magazine disassembles, remove the floor plate, clean the spring and follower, and reassemble dry.
Storing Loaded vs Unloaded
Modern magazine springs are designed to be kept under load, so storing a magazine loaded generally will not wear out the spring. What does cause wear is repeated loading and unloading over time. For long-term storage, keep magazines clean, dry, and out of direct humidity, and cycle them occasionally rather than leaving them completely untouched for years.
Black Oxide vs Nickel: Different Upkeep
Black oxide offers classic looks and solid corrosion resistance with a light coat of oil. Nickel adds extra rust and scratch resistance and wipes clean easily, requiring less frequent attention. Either finish holds up for the life of the rifle with a quick wipe-down after range trips.
Fixing a Feeding Problem
If a magazine isn't feeding correctly, clean the feed lips and follower first, confirm the follower moves freely through its full range of travel, and check for a weak or kinked spring. These three checks resolve the majority of rimfire feeding complaints without needing to replace the magazine at all — though if the spring is genuinely weak or the feed lips are bent, a replacement is the more reliable fix than trying to bend them back into shape.
Don't Mix Up .22 LR and .22 WMR/.17 HMR Magazines
Because these magazines can look similar at a glance, especially when stored together, keep .22 LR and .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazines clearly separated and labeled. They are not interchangeable, and mixing them up during storage is one of the more common ways a shooter accidentally grabs the wrong magazine before heading to the range or field.
Seasonal Storage Between Hunting Trips
If you only use a rimfire rifle seasonally, clean the magazine thoroughly before putting it away, apply a light coat of oil, and store it somewhere dry rather than in a damp gun safe or garage. Check it again before the next season starts — cycle it a few times and confirm the spring and follower move freely before loading it up for opening day.
What Not to Use When Cleaning a Rimfire Magazine
Skip harsh solvents not rated for firearms use, and never soak a magazine in cleaner -- a light wipe-down of the exterior and feed lips is enough for routine maintenance. Heavy solvent exposure can strip factory lubrication from the spring and follower, which can actually cause the sluggish feeding you're trying to prevent. Steel wool and abrasive pads should also stay away from black oxide or nickel finishes, since both will scratch through the finish and expose bare steel to rust.
If you disassemble a magazine for a deeper clean, keep track of the order the internal parts come out in, especially the spring and follower orientation. Reassembling a magazine incorrectly is a common, avoidable source of feeding problems that has nothing to do with wear or dirt.
Cold-Weather Rimfire Feeding
Cold temperatures thicken oil and grease, which can slow spring and follower movement in freezing conditions if the magazine has been over-lubricated. Keep the coat of oil light, especially heading into a cold-weather hunt, and be aware that condensation can form inside a magazine that moves between a warm vehicle and cold outdoor air. Wiping the magazine down before loading it in cold conditions helps prevent this moisture from interfering with feeding.
When to Replace Instead of Clean
Cleaning solves the majority of rimfire feeding issues, but it's not a permanent fix for a magazine with a genuinely worn spring, cracked follower, or bent feed lips. If you've cleaned a magazine thoroughly and it still hesitates, double-feeds, or won't lock the bolt back, that's a sign the part itself has reached the end of its service life rather than needing another cleaning. At that point, a US-made, factory-pattern replacement is the more reliable path than continuing to troubleshoot a worn-out part.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I clean a rimfire magazine?
After every range session or hunt is ideal, since rimfire ammunition leaves more residue than most centerfire loads. At minimum, clean before long-term storage.
Is it safe to store a rimfire magazine loaded?
Yes — modern springs are designed to hold a load without excessive wear. Repeated loading and unloading causes more wear than sustained storage.
My magazine isn't locking the bolt back on the last round — what's wrong?
Check the follower for grit or debris first, since a dirty follower is a common cause of this symptom. If cleaning doesn't resolve it, the follower or spring may need replacement.
Can I use the same cleaning routine for .22 LR and .22 WMR/.17 HMR magazines?
Yes, the cleaning routine is the same across rimfire calibers — the caliber only matters for which magazine fits which rifle, not for how you maintain it.
Can I use a bore snake or brush inside the magazine itself?
No -- those tools are designed for the barrel. A dry or lightly oiled cloth is sufficient for cleaning the inside of a magazine body and feed lips.
Does an extended-capacity magazine need more frequent cleaning than a factory-original one?
No -- capacity doesn't change how much residue accumulates per round fired. Clean based on how much you shoot, not which capacity magazine you're running.
A Habit Worth Building Early
Rimfire shooters who get into the habit of a quick wipe-down after every range session, rather than only cleaning when a problem shows up, tend to get the longest reliable service out of their magazines. It costs a few minutes and prevents the vast majority of feeding complaints before they start.
Keep Your Rimfire Magazine Feeding Reliably
A clean, well-maintained magazine is the single biggest factor in reliable rimfire feeding. If cleaning doesn't resolve a persistent issue, or your magazine is simply worn out, confirm your exact model with the Marlin Rifle Magazine Guide and shop a US-made replacement in Marlin 22 Cal. Magazines. For more on rifle-wide care, see our Rifle & Magazine Care and Maintenance guide. A five-minute wipe-down after every range trip is a small habit that prevents the vast majority of rimfire feeding complaints before they start.
