Are minifig arms supposed to be removed?

[Writers Blocks]

My approach to LEGO is that anything I can do with official LEGO products and my bare hands is purist.

I've been removing and attaching arms and hands ever since I was a kid. As someone else said, whether it makes them loose seems to be luck of the draw, since some of my older figures are still fine while some of my newer figures are loose. I haven't had trouble with any of my collectable minifigs so far.

Imagination and creativity are a big part of LEGO, so if what you want to create involves mixing and matching arms, then take the warnings posted here and do what makes you happy.

[Captain Nemo]

I've been removing and replacing arms on minifigures for as long as I can remember. I can understand that Lego would say that they are not meant to be removed--but I really have always thought they should be, and really until I saw this thread I never questioned that. However I do take more care of my newer figs, since I want to keep them in the best condition possible.

[Im a brickmaster.]

If I can help it I wont, but you cant custmize without poping a few arms!

As long as your gentle it should be fine.