Keys and Ignition Switches

I have heard many times before that too many keys on a key ring can damage an ignition switch. As I am one who has a whole lot of keys, I am wondering about this. This is the 3rd time I have heard this in about a month and I still don't readily agree. (the people who said it were not mechanics- just casual observers of my keys)

I wouldn't worry about it. I put 220k on a Ford truck with about 15 keys on a ring and the only damage it did was scratch up the steering column from the swinging keys.

Iv had huge numbers of keys swining in ignition switchs for thousands of kilometers and its never caused any problems.

Ignition switchs will wear out, but not from the weight of keys on your key ring.

I checked the urban legends page:

http://www.snopes.com/

and couldn't find any reference.... :)

Theoretically, its possible, but in practice, I've never actually heard of it happening.