1911 magazines

[Another19]

I recently bought a 1911 after not having one for a long time. What magazines are considered to be the best now? Are the 7 round mags generally more reliable than the 8 rounders?

[pangris]

In my experience, the 7 rounders are indeed more reliable. There are some s that are better than others, but there are some 7 rounders that are as good as a mechanical thing can be.

We just wrapped up a Metalform group buy. I expect range/reliability reports will be coming in shortly.

My experience has dictated that the Metalfrom FBI spec mags are *the best*. They are the exact mags that the FBI HRT and SWAT teams use. They have been flawless in every gun I've tried them in.

[eljay45]

I have been using Wilson 47D 8 rounders for several years in competiiton. These mags have been 100% reliable even though they routinely get droppped in the dirt and mud.

[vallopez2000]

+1 for Wilson 47D!

[ddj8052]

+2 for Wilson Combat 47D's.

I will also add that the in my limited experience the Wilson Springs and followers will "fix" most other 1911 mags. I have mags from many manufactures and I have replaced all of the guts in them with Wilson parts. All are now 100% reliable.

[breech]

I had to bail about of the Metalform group buy a while back. I've read good things about the FBI Spec Metalforms.
I currently use Wilson-Rogers 7 rounders. Probably one of THE best mags around.
Chip McCormick Power Mags aren't that bad either.

[ppd1108]

Where do you get the wilson magazine parts? I looked on Wilson's website and they were not listed. I have a bunch of the Metalform FBI spec mags but I just bought one of the SW1911 PD alloy framed pistols and I think the flat follower will damage the frame.

[walangkatapat]

I've always had good luck with Wilsons. McCormicks Power mags look like they'd be worth trying and cheaper than the Wilsons.

[breech]

Originally posted by ppd1108
Where do you get the wilson magazine parts? I looked on Wilson's website and they were not listed. I have a bunch of the Metalform FBI spec mags but I just bought one of the SW1911 PD alloy framed pistols and I think the flat follower will damage the frame.

Parts- http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_springs_followers.asp

[BigTex171]

I'm in the Wilson 47D crowd. I have yet to experience a malfunction of any kind using them.

[polygonal]

Wilson Combat 8 round mags are the very best I've seen and used. Not sure if mine are "47D" there are no markings on my W.C. 8 rounders. I do have a Chip McCormick "Poer Mag" that has been flawless but the follower does not appear as stable as the Wilson Combat mags.

[CCV]

Originally posted by pangris
In my experience, the 7 rounders are indeed more reliable. There are some s that are better than others, but there are some 7 rounders that are as good as a mechanical thing can be.

We just wrapped up a Metalform group buy. I expect range/reliability reports will be coming in shortly.

My experience has dictated that the Metalfrom FBI spec mags are *the best*. They are the exact mags that the FBI HRT and SWAT teams use. They have been flawless in every gun I've tried them in.

I agree

[walangkatapat]

Originally posted by polygonal
Wilson Combat 8 round mags are the very best I've seen and used. Not sure if mine are "47D" there are no markings on my W.C. 8 rounders. I do have a Chip McCormick "Poer Mag" that has been flawless but the follower does not appear as stable as the Wilson Combat mags.

It looks like the power mags have the same base as the Wilsons, do they?

[BOZWELL]

Wilson Combat 47D's

[wolf2223]

Tripps mags are excellent.

[yotecaller]

Originally posted by wolf2223
Tripps mags are excellent.
+1

[Another19]

I guess I'll look for some Wilson 47D's!

[helidonna]

+1 Wilson Combat mags rule. Since most of FBI HRT has no field experince, because they are recruited from Spec Ops. I find it hard to beleave they use Metalform mags. Since we all used Wilson combat mags in the community. Just my thoughts.

[Happy G]

I'll mix it up. I use Wilson 47d's with Tripp's followers and springs in my full size. And, Wilson 47 OX in my compact.

[BuckyP]

Originally posted by ppd1108
Where do you get the wilson magazine parts? I looked on Wilson's website and they were not listed. I have a bunch of the Metalform FBI spec mags but I just bought one of the SW1911 PD alloy framed pistols and I think the flat follower will damage the frame.

Brownells (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=16398&title=1911+AUTO+WILSON-ROGERS+MAGAZINE) is another good source for both the magazines and the guts (follower + spring).

Both the Chip Power mags and Wilson mags feel flawlessly in my 1911s. HOWEVER, occasionally the Chip follower will move forward a bit when feeding the last round. This prevents the mag from dropping freely. The Wilson design does not have this issue. YMMV

[Tx1911]

I have some 47Ds and have noticed that the slide on my 1911 won't lock on the last round fired on some of them. I think the follower is wearing. I have noticed that seems to be a common problem with these mags over time with not just me but other peeps. The stock 7 round metalfrom mags work just fine. I will change out the guts in the wilson mags and convert them into 7 rounders using the Tripp research kit.

http://forums.1911forum.com/showthread.php?t=138761

These are the kits I plan on buying ....

http://www.trippresearch.com/products/upgrade/upgrade.htm

Since I use my Springer 1911 to carry at times I would rather use the 7 rd mag as it seems to be more reliable. Good luck guys.

[Another19]

I''m thinking of just ordering some 7 rounders from S.A. or Colt. I can't seem to find out if any of the "aftermarket" mags have a dimple in the follower.

[10mm4ever]

Wilson 47D or CMC powermags, take your pick. Order them from Midway if you want to save some $$$$$.

[Another19]

Are you saying the Wilson and the CMC have the dimple in the follower, or just that you recommend them, or both?

Thanks for all the input!

[Stainless Steel]

No such thing --

In my experience there is not ONE magazine that
works for all gun and ammunition combinations.

Guns have tolerance stacking from on end to the
other, and back again. That's why some guns only
LIKE certain brands and not others.

The biggest variable is what ammunition you plan
to use. If you plan to shoot military style 230
grain ball ammunition that is typically loaded to
a long overall length, you will want a magazine
with lips formed like the original military
magazines which have feed lips that taper farther
apart out towards the end for an earlier release
of the cartridge (New Mecgar magazines).

Shorter overall length cartridges like semi-wad-
cutters and 185 grain hollow points need a
magazine with feed lips that are longer and stay
parallel to each other for a later cartridge
release (Wilson and McCormick).

I have quite a collection of magazines from many
manufactures and the feed lips vary considerably.
Good dial calipers accurate to .001 inch are handy
for comparisons. Some people bend and form the
feed lips for a particular application. Brownells
sells tools to do this. Bending is not for me, I
switch magazine brands.

I have a Para-Ordnance that will only feed
military ball with Mecgar magazines. Some 1911s
are happy with almost any magazine, others are
finicky.

If you are having cartridge feeding problems,
analyse the failure type and correlate if a
different feed lip configuration might solve the
problem. If you change any variable, you may be
back to square one. It comes with the 1911
territory.

YMMV.
Lanyard.
http://home.mindspring.com/~colt45acp/nra1.gif

[Another19]

I understand different gun and ammo combinations will work differently with different magazines. However, I would like to start my experimentation with mags that have dimples in the followers. Can anyone tell me which of the mags discussed here have them?

Thanks

[CAcop]

Originally posted by Another19
I understand different gun and ammo combinations will work differently with different magazines. However, I would like to start my experimentation with mags that have dimples in the followers. Can anyone tell me which of the mags discussed here have them?

Thanks

Like you already said the Springer mags have the dimples. I beleive they are Matelform mags, Pangris should know for sure since he is on a first name basis with Metalform.

I so far like the Springer mags I got with the coupon that came with my loaded model. I have some 47Ds and the Officer model equivalent mags from Wilson. They are ok but with my guns they can malfunction every so often. It is not all the time but it is enough to make me want to carry the metalforms if I get to carry 1911s on duty. I will probably put on some of the rubber basepads you can get through Brownells to help with mag changes.

[Another19]

I'll go ahead and order a couple of S.A. 7 round mags tomorrow. Good idea about the base pads, I think the bottom of the mag that came with mine has holes for a pad. I placed an order with Natchez, and was hoping I could include a couple of mags in the order to save on shipping. I couldn't find S.A. 1911 mags on their site, so I'll just place a separate order from S.A.

Thanks for the input.

[pangris]

Originally posted by CAcop
Pangris should know for sure since he is on a first name basis with Metalform.


FWIW, the only reason this is the case is b/c I run group buys so I can get the mags cheap myself :) I believe in the product but have no affiliation with MF other than being an annual group buyer type person.

I believe - but am not 100% - that MF makes SA mags, BUT it is important to remember that just because Metalform MAKES a mag doesn't mean it is to generic 1911 specs.

Case and point, the Springfield "ramp" 1911 9mm mags. Springer 9mm 1911's need these to feed well (as I understand it). Metalform makes that mag to SA's spec for SA guns. They make other stuff to other company specs. If you want a MF mag made to generic 1911 specs, call am make sure that mag isn't made a certain way for a certain gun - unless of course you need that a certain mag... you get the idea.

[10mm4ever]

Whichever mags you decide on, I'd go to www.MIDWAYUSA.com