The Down Range Forum

Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: billt on April 27, 2010, 12:56:23 PM

Title: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: billt on April 27, 2010, 12:56:23 PM
While I'm not a big 1911 guy, I do own 2 with this new Kimber Stainless II that I bought a few weeks back. I'm seeing a really big difference in magazine prices. Standard GI type mags can be had very inexpensively, while the top of the line models from Wilson Combat and Chip McCormick can run close to $40.00 a pop. Is there all that much difference from a function standpoint? I'm seeing 10 rounders avaliable as well. It would seem a good advantage to have the extra 2 rounds. What do you guys buy as far as 1911 magazines?  Bill T.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: ericire12 on April 27, 2010, 01:01:18 PM
What do you guys buy as far as 1911 magazines?  Bill T.

I dont buy any of them...... they wont fit in any of my Glocks  :P
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: PegLeg45 on April 27, 2010, 01:05:26 PM
If all you are doing is casual plinking and such, use the cheap GI mags. I keep a supply on hand for casual shooting. For SD, I only use Wilson mags. I've been using the standard Wilson Combat 8-rounders (around $30 now?) for 20 years and never had an issue (knock wood). I bought a couple of McCormick 10-rounders and they have never worked if loaded over 8 rounds.
1911 mags can be finicky around the feed lip area and that is usually where the trouble stems from.

My personal opinion: Wilson's are the best for the money.......but that's just my opinion.   :D
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: ratcatcher55 on April 27, 2010, 01:09:07 PM
If all you are doing is casual plinking and such, use the cheap GI mags. I keep a supply on hand for casual shooting. For SD, I only use Wilson mags. I've been using the standard Wilson Combat 8-rounders (around $30 now?) for 20 years and never had an issue (knock wood). I bought a couple of McCormick 10-rounders and they have never worked if loaded over 8 rounds.
1911 mags can be finicky around the feed lip area and that is usually where the trouble stems from.

My personal opinion: Wilson's are the best for the money.......but that's just my opinion.   :D

Same, Same.

Wilson for serious stuff, GI for casual practice.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Walter45Auto on April 27, 2010, 01:36:56 PM
I've bought Chip McCormack shooting stars, Kimber, And once snagged a Wilson 8 rounder for $10. ;D
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: DaverZ on April 27, 2010, 02:49:09 PM
i like the kimber line of 1911 mags and ive discovered chip mc cormick mags and so far they've been very good,i like them a lot.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Johnny Bravo on April 27, 2010, 03:48:53 PM
I'm using Chip McCormack 10 rounders and have never had a problem.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: twyacht on April 27, 2010, 03:51:05 PM
Wilson are $30-40 bucks at retail shops around here.  :-\  Primarily what i stick with.

Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: tekoken on April 27, 2010, 03:54:03 PM
I have a Wilson Combat on the way, I'll let you know how it works. I use the factory Colt mags in my Commander & they work flawlessly.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Ichiban on April 27, 2010, 04:44:39 PM
I've had good luck with Act-mag, Kimber, KimPro, and whoever Para uses.  The only mag I have had a problem with has been Shooting Star.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Timothy on April 27, 2010, 04:58:51 PM
Stock PARA's at 26 bucks for me.  They've never failed!

I have a few Wilsons ETM but for the extra money, I don't see a difference in function.  From a fabrication standpoint, they seem to be built a bit better and that's reflected in price at 36-38 bucks.

McCormicks, I've had some problems but they weren't mine and I don't know if they'd ever been cleaned before I used them.  I'd give them a try for range mags.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: CDR on April 27, 2010, 05:22:49 PM
Wilson ETMs for me, 8 + 1.  Never a failure in my Nighthawk and I alternate 6 of them. The only other magazine that I would put on a par with Wilson are the 7 and 8 rounders made by Checkmate, who are the OEM for Colt.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: billt on April 27, 2010, 05:38:35 PM
So it looks like what I'm hearing is :

1.) Wilsom Combat.

2.) Chip McCormick.

3.) Kimber.

4.) G.I. mags for dropping in the dirt, and playing "Action Jackson".

5.) Avoid 10 rounders and other "gimmick" mags.

"It looks like what I'm hearing". I just noticed that comes across like a Yogi Berra quote. Much like his famous comeback when asked about his favorite restaurant. "The place is so damn crowded nobody goes there anymore!"  Bill T.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: PegLeg45 on April 27, 2010, 11:10:10 PM
Anyone remember the older Wilson mags that had the roller ball bearing in the follower?
I still have two of those (20 years old) with the original springs in them and they still function like new.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Dakotaranger on April 28, 2010, 12:23:34 AM
So it looks like what I'm hearing is :

1.) Wilsom Combat.

2.) Chip McCormick.

3.) Kimber.

4.) G.I. mags for dropping in the dirt, and playing "Action Jackson".

5.) Avoid 10 rounders and other "gimmick" mags.

"It looks like what I'm hearing". I just noticed that comes across like a Yogi Berra quote. Much like his famous comeback when asked about his favorite restaurant. "The place is so damn crowded nobody goes there anymore!"  Bill T.
Including the 10 Wilson Combat.  It doesn't work well with the Gold Cup, but it's fine with my Springer Loaded
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: TAB on April 28, 2010, 01:29:30 AM
the only 1911 mags that I have never had a prob that was not user related are colt factor mags.  7 or 8 rounders.  I can't say that about any other mag.

just watch out for picking them up cheap, there are alot of fake mags out there.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: tombogan03884 on April 28, 2010, 02:56:57 AM
8 round Chip McCormick and Shooting Star work for me so I haven't tried any others
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: billt on April 28, 2010, 06:28:58 AM
Including the 10 Wilson Combat.  It doesn't work well with the Gold Cup, but it's fine with my Springer Loaded

Is that because the Gold Cup has a weaker recoil spring for reduced target loads?  Bill T.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Michael Bane on April 28, 2010, 03:09:59 PM
I tend to default to Wilsons, but I've actually never had a problem with the ACTs, the couple of Kimbers I've used and Chip McCormick's stuff.

Right now I'm using McCormicks for Wild Bunch shooting & Wilsons for SD...

Michael B
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: ericire12 on April 28, 2010, 03:16:29 PM
FWIW... Gun Tests Magazine did a reveiw of 1911 Mags in their Feb 2010 issue....

Wilson Combat ETM 8rd... A+
Metalform Elite 8rd... A+
D&L Sports 7/8rd... A+
Metalform blued 8rd... A
McCormick 8rd... A
Kimber Tac-Mag 7rd... A
Novak 7/8rd... A
Para 7rd... B
Springfield 7rd... C
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Dakotaranger on April 28, 2010, 06:04:12 PM
Is that because the Gold Cup has a weaker recoil spring for reduced target loads?  Bill T.
I really have no idea.  I got one to test it out for a spare carry mag.  I use it at the range but I don't trust it with my life.   The 47D and the ETM work like tanks
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: tekoken on April 29, 2010, 07:32:45 PM
Scratch my wilson vote!! They'll never send you the right product!!!
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: billt on May 06, 2010, 02:46:05 PM
I just got back from my weekly trek to Cabela's, and they've got Kimber 8 round 1911 Stainless mags on sale for 3 for $75.00.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20807_TGP&id=0061345229405a&navCount=2&podId=0061345&parentId=cat20807&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20807&hasJS=true

They're normally $30.00 each. Each one comes with an extra Stainless steel base, 4 screws, and 2 rubber slam pads of different thicknesses. One is 3/8" thick, and the other is 3/4" thick. Not too bad.  Bill T.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: billt on May 06, 2010, 03:22:43 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IorFoC-4UU&feature=related

At 2:43 in the video Bruce should have the thicker pads installed. At 3:45 he could get away with the thinner ones.     ;D    

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ON3_CP3mC0&feature=related

Gotta love the muzzle energy of that .45 ACP! Trouble with that damn Unique powder, too much muzzle flash!  Bill T.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: m25operator on May 06, 2010, 07:36:34 PM
I don't know why, but I have had zero luck with Wilson mags, they have a good rep, appear well made, have great features for cleaning etc... but I have 4, two 8 rounders, and 2 six rounders for my little Para's, no dice.

I have 5 single stack working 1911's, I have had great luck, with metal form, with or without the plastic slam pads, Mec-gar, who look identical to metal forms, and Chip McCormick 10 rounders, the 10 rounders feed in all my pistols, but do not lock the slide back on the last shot 90% of the time. But being able to start with 11 rds of .45 to start with is worth it IMHO.
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: tombogan03884 on May 06, 2010, 09:34:34 PM
The 10 rounders interest me but as skinny as I am I would only be able to use them for reloads, I doubt I could conceal one if it were in the pistol.  :(
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: Combat Diver on May 07, 2010, 03:25:28 AM
When I started carrying my 1911 years ago with standard USGI mags, then got a few Devel followers and placed those in some Colt mags.  Never had any trouble with those.  Then Shooting Star made them and I ran about six each mags through my standard frame and Officers sized frame during my ISPC years.  Again no troubles.  During my OIF years 03-08 I carried a M1911 or M1911A1 along with my M9.  Issued mags for the guns were Wilson 47D 8 rd and 10 rd mags.  Never any trouble with those aslo.  Only mag that gave me trouble was an Springfield mag and two dented USGI.  Those are marked and I use them for training for induced stopages. 

CD
Title: Re: 1911 Magazines ???
Post by: seeker_two on May 07, 2010, 08:06:44 AM
The 10 rounders interest me but as skinny as I am I would only be able to use them for reloads, I doubt I could conceal one if it were in the pistol.  :(

That's what I've done....lot easier grabbing a 10-rd. mag than the shorter ones when you're in a hurry....

....plus 10-rd. mags are great for HD guns not kept on your person.