1911 Magazines - 7 or 8 rounders?

[Big Frank]

I only used Colt 7-round mags for my Series 80 and had no problems. I sold it to a friend and he bought an aftermarket POS 15-rounder for it that jammed all the time. I think 10 rounds is as high as you should go on extended mags.

[CurrieS103]

What do you guys recommend?

GO!

Thanks in advance,

Patrick

I am starting to build a 1911 from scratch next month so I have put a bit of research in mags and grips.  I have found a mag that I feel is the best for my needs from Tripp Research (formerly of STI).  This guy has put a lot of effort into making the ultra reliable 1911 mag.  Here's the web site.  

http://www.trippresearch.com/

Hope it helps!

Scott

[ellis4538]

I have had Wilson mags since they first came out as 7 rounders over 20+ years ago.  When the conversion units came out I changed all of them to 8 rounders.  Also have a couple Shooting Star (McCormick) 8 rounders.  I used them in practice during good weather and matches whenever.  They are like the Energizer Bunny with good ammo (sometimes my reloads are not so good!).  I also have a Wilson and McCormick for my carry gun (a lightly modified Colt Officers ACP).  They are 7 rounders instead of 6 like factory mags.  I have and will continue to stake my life and the lives of others on them.  I cannot speak for the Novak or Tripp.

Richard

[TSB]

Seems that you have enough opinions but I'll add my 2 cents.

I have a Para and the two 8 round mags that came with it work like butter.  I've a couple thousand rounds through these mags and no problems at all.  My daughters man-meat had a S&W with stock Wilson mags and bought two more of the ETM mags and two McCormick mags and has had nothing but problems with the gun.  Sent it to S&W, they determined that their gun was not the problem and did nothing...sent it back with two more Wilson mags and the problems persisted.  Since he no longer trusted that gun, he got rid of it because Smith didn't want to fix whatever was wrong with the mags or the clunker of a gun he had....

All of the Wilson mags he bought work fine in my Para so for the time being, I have access to several new Wilson mags (great mags) as well as my stock Para mags.  I don't know what to make of the these problems and I don't know if Para makes their own mags.  It's obvious that S&W does not. 

Best bet, try what ever comes with the particular gun you buy and if they work, don't try and fix what ain't broke.....Don't fall into what I call the "fishing lure" syndrome where most fishing lures sold are meant to catch the fisherman and not the fish!

[ericire12]

The Glock 21 holds 13 rds of .45 ACP 











Oh, and then there is also this:



25 rounds!

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

Pretty much all been said already, but here's my two pennies:

Been using the standard Wilson 8 rounders for 15+ years. No problems.
Bought a couple of Shooting Star 10's and they will not function at full capacity. They work fine with 8 or less in them.
The two 8 rounders that came with my Springfield have so far been reliable.
Factory Colt 7 rounders have always worked fine.


I will stick with the Wilson's for self protection.

[TAB]

The Glock 21 holds 13 rds of .45 ACP 











Oh, and then there is also this:



25 rounds!

you can get 50 round 1911 mags....   

[Big Frank]

Now I feel under-gunned with only 15 and 20 round mags for my Paras.    The 15s only extend a fraction of an inch below the frame like most single-stack 8-round mags, so I have 7 extra rounds in the same size package. The 20's are competition legal 170 mm (6.7"). When I wanted more than 7 rounds in the mag I got a Para and sold the Colt. 

[TAB]

a 8 round mag should not extend past the butt on a full size frame ( gov/ commander)

[Big Frank]

a 8 round mag should not extend past the butt on a full size frame ( gov/ commander)

Maybe they shouldn't but a lot of them either have rubber bumpers or plastic base plates that do extend, like these.