1911 magazine question

[blackwolfe]

I have a couple of Colts, both series 80.  One is a full size government model, the other is a lightweight Commander.  The previous time I had these out I had trouble with both of them with some failures to eject and feed a new round.  The magazines I was using then I think had been around awhile as they came with the Commander that I got from a retired LEO.  I was also shooting a bunch of commercial reloads that came with it.

This time I was using cheap Federal loads and a new magazine, I think it was a McCormick shooting star magazine.  It held 8 rounds and funtioned fine in the full size Government model with 8 rounds.  In the Commander it didn't seem to want to seat completly with 8 rounds.  It stuck out about 1/8 inch and when I tried to seat it flush it felt spring loaded and would pop back out that 1/8 inch or so.  With 7 rounds it seated flush and functioned flawlessly.

I have not shot either one of these very much.  I thought they would take the same magazines and that you could use 8 round magazines in either one of them.  Am I wrong, and even though an 8 round magazine will fit in the Commander, will it only funtion properly with 7 rounds in it?  Thanks.

[tombogan03884]

I don't know about the Commander, But my full size RIA works fine with the Shooting Star mags and 8 rounds.

[PegLeg45]

As far as I know, Gov't Models and Commander Models use the same mags (same frame size).
Check the notches where the mag catch holds them to see if one is worn. I had an old mag that wouldn't stay in and the area around the cut-out for the catch was actually dented in where I guess it had been dropped just right.

Of the Colt's, the Officer's Model (and the Defender also ?) is supposed to be the only size frame that uses a shorter mag, but I have read that even a Gov't standard mag will work in an Officer's Model but will hang out the bottom of the frame.

**I also have a coupe of 10-round Shooting Star mags and they will not feed the first two rounds if fully loaded. I can only use them if they are down-loaded to eight rounds.

[david86440]

Posted by: blackwolfe

"Am I wrong, and even though an 8 round magazine will fit in the Commander, will it only funtion properly with 7 rounds in it?  Thanks."


What you are describing is normal if you are inserting the mag with the slide closed. It does take more effort with 7 vs 8 rounds but it should seat if you slam it in.

I have a Commander and I use 8 rd mags.

Have you tried putting the loaded mag in with the slide locked open?  It should slide in and lock easily.

You need to really hammer it home.

[blackwolfe]

Posted by: blackwolfe

"Am I wrong, and even though an 8 round magazine will fit in the Commander, will it only funtion properly with 7 rounds in it?  Thanks."


What you are describing is normal if you are inserting the mag with the slide closed. It does take more effort with 7 vs 8 rounds but it should seat if you slam it in.

I have a Commander and I use 8 rd mags.

Have you tried putting the loaded mag in with the slide locked open?  It should slide in and lock easily.

You need to really hammer it home.

The slide was closed.  I'll have to try it again when I can get to the range, whenever that will be.

[Sponsor]

[ellis4538]

Inserting the mag with the slide back should work out OK but, if you drop the mag and top it off re-inserting is still going to be a problem.  I have never had this problem with any 8 rounder in any normal grip length 1911 or 10 rounders in 38 super 1911.  If you have to download your 8 rounders to 7 rounds to make them work, so be it.

Richard

[twyacht]

Wilson Combat P47D's.....8rd. .350 seat. should help...

[robheath]

I use Chip McCormick 8 round shooting star and 10 round Powermags.  I love the McCormick mags and I've never had a problem with any of them.  I clean them seldom and even with steel followers they seem to feed. I did have a bad mag release one time and that caused the same as you described.

[Bidah]

Do not overlook that some pistols do not like some mags.  There are a lot of follower designs and timing changes of when the cartridge gets release, and what angle, out there.  I have an SA that detests the Wilson 47D's, but it works fine in all others.  I finally found that the CMC Power Mags will work in all of the ones that I have.  I still have specific mags for each 1911, though I am slowly changing that.

-Bidah

[MikeBjerum]

As far as fitting the well and locking in place a 1911 mag is a 1911 mag is a 1911 mag.  My Gov. model mags fit all size 1911's.

The question as to how they feed is another thing.  In theory a quality mag like a Wilson Combat, Kimber, Colt or other top shelf magazine should work just fine.  However, we all know that isn't always so, and it is the reason we number our magazines and keep note books on guns.