1911 Magazine issues

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SureThing

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So I have my new 1911 on the way. I figured I would pick up a few extra mags. Wow, that is not as simple as it seems. From what I can tell, there are many, many magazine manufactures. Normally, I just get factory, or Meg gar mags.

So it also appears, mags cause a lot of issues with 1911, anyone know why?

Any suggestions on afforable magazines? I thought I would just go buy some Meg gars, Kimber mags, Chip M, etc.... But often you se those suggest Wilson's etc....

I kinda would like to keep it around $20 a mag.
 
I like Wilson 47Ds myself but there are others that work as well if not better. Checkmate has a bad reputation for their M9 mags but they make a very nice 1911 mag. Tripp Research Cobra Mags and Chip McCormick Power Mags are also first rate.
 
I like Chip McCormick and Wilsons for carry.

Wilsons will be more than that.
 
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Big fan of Tripp's mags. I'm probably going to order another dozen or so in the next month.
 
I have a few of just about everything, but my preference is for the McCormicks or Metalforms.
 
chip mccormick mags are good to go, they are a great price and they are awesome magazines. they have as much if not more follwiers than the wilson mags. i use chip mags, as well i have been testing out the Kimpro Tac mags as of late and they are good to go as well.

go with the chip mc cormick powermags and you can't go wrong.
 
What about the Chip Match mags?
Click to expand...
never used them but if they have the chip name on them they are good to go i would bet.
shooting star and power mags i have first hand experience with and alot of it.
 
Before looking at brands, consider types of magazines.

You can get 7-round magazines, 8-round magazines that fit flush, or 8-round magazines that are slightly extended. The original specifications for the 1911 called for a 7-round magazine. Manufacturers have tried to squeeze an extra round into the same original space, which often produces reliability or durability problems with flush-fit 8-round magazines. Extending the magazine tube provides room for more capacity in the extended 8-round magazines without compromising other design specs, but some people don't want the end of the magazine sticking out.

Once you choose a type of magazine, you need to look at the components. What type of follower, springs, baseplate, magazine lips, etc.

For serious reading about 1911 magazines, check the Magazines section of the M1911 Forum.
 
Chip McCormick Power mags for me. They come with beefier springs and good follower design. The regular line of Chip's Shooting Star are good for practice, but stick to the Powermags for carry/SD.

Wilsons are good mags but they need to have the springs upgraded (Wolff Extra Power +5%).
 
I have never had issue with shooting star in Colts, Dan Wesson, Sig GSR, Norinco and Springfield.

But for some reason I carry Wilson's.
 
chips have worked great for me, in sa, kimber, para and RIA.

the wilson mags are nice, but man they are expensive, and i can't see spending the extra money on the wilsons when i can get cmc mags for a better price, therefore it is a bettert value and i am all about value.
 
I've got over 3500k or so stoppage free rounds fired from kimpro tac mags and chips' power mags.

They work for my gun...
 
Never tried the Kimber Tac Mags, but I hear good things about them.

However, don't make a decision based on what you read on the web and what you can get the best deal on. You need to see what your gun is going to like and purchase in bulk from there. I have guns that don't like the Chips, and I even have one that doesn't like the Wilsons. Buying several of any given brand before trying them in your gun is likely a mistake.
 
I have Chip McCormic Shooting Star and Colt factory mags. None of them have had a feeding problem. Unfortunately one of my Shooting Stars does not fully eject when the magazine release is pressed, but all of the others work fine.
 
I have Wilson Combat ETM mags = No Problems - my SW1911 came with
to 8 rd ACT-PRO mags. I took one along to the range with the WC ETMs.
Loading the ACT after the ETMs and the ETMs defintely have stronger springs.
ALso instead of the full length follower with a forward 'nipple' the ACT
follower is only 2/3rds length, the fwd part just not there. Twice the last
round in the ACT mag. the back part of the cartridge must have gone into
this void with the spring at it's full extension and didn't make it to the
chamber. - drop the mag. rack slide and loaded cartridge falls out I put the ACT Mag back in the blue S&W box.

I'm happy with the WC ETMs however I'd like to get a couple of
mags without as big a base pad or just flush for the carry mag since
I carry at 3"30 OWB and it does stick out a bit extra as a possible
'print.' After reading this thread I think I'll go with Chip McCormick
Power Mags - 2 to start with as I'm getting an RIA Tactical soon. It
comes with Novak mags so I'll test those as well.

Randall
 
I'm About To Tick Off A Lot Of 1911 Aficionados.

Every time this topic comes up I say the same thing.

At the end of the 1911 counter in my local gunshop ( Specialty Sports) there's a old steel pot full of 8.00$ no name magazines. haven't had a problem W/ one yet
 
Finally got my 7rd hybrid lip Checkmate mags from a group buy over a year ago, I'm totally pleased with them.

I also got in on another that i've been using for months longer. 8rd Metalform cobra mags (their version of trip kobramags) They work great as well.
 
I have narrowed it down to the Chip Mc mags or the Kimber mags.

Beyond that....not sure yet.
 
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