1911 magazine specs

[peacemaker45]

In trying to get my Argentine Sistema Colt set up for shooting Wild Bunch, I had to order a mess of magazines. Out of all my 1911 mags, only two are flat based, as the rules of the game require. Thus, I ordered 6 of Wilson Combat's 608 service mags.

When they showed up, however, only two would seat at all, and they dragged a bit. The other four the feed lips banged into the frame at the top of the window. I stripped the gun down to make sure it wasn't a grip screw, bushing, or trigger bow causing the trouble. Nope, same story with the frame bare.

Only at this point did it occur to me to try my other mags. Two old Colt mags, a Shooting Star, and a whole bunch of CMC Power Mags all worked fine. At this point, I finally remember that I own calipers, and think that this might be a good time to use them.

Turns out that the magazines I had all measured right around .540 across the widest part of the lips. The new Wilson's ranged from .549 to .558".

When I wrote Wilson to complain, they said that the magazines are in spec, but they they'd refund them anyhow.

Anyhow, the problem is resolved, I guess, but I'm still curious whether the problem is with Wilson's specs or the old Argentine.

Thoughts?

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[JTQ]

Those Wilson Service mags are actually a CheckMate product. Wilson puts a stronger spring in and has no screw holes on the base and the fancy Wilson name on the bottom, but they are CheckMate hybrid feed lipped mags with the GI follower.

Shown here at Top Gun Supply http://www.topgunsupply.com/check-m...ess-steel-hybrid-full-size-1911-magazine.html

I'm surprised you have trouble inserting them. One of the design features of CheckMate mags is an indent at the top/front of the tube designed for clearance of the mag catch. This feature is not usually found on other makers mags, and in my 1911 at least, makes CheckMate mags easier to insert than other brands.

If you are Wild Bunch shooting, you may like CheckMate's GI mag http://www.topgunsupply.com/check-mate-.45acp-7rd-blue-gi-full-size-1911-magazine.html

 

[peacemaker45]

It wasn't the mag catch causing the trouble. It was like the feed lips were bulged or splayed sideways. Same trouble with the mag catch and everything else removed.

Anyway, I ordered a set of Chip McCormick Match Grades, since it likes the other CMCs. We'll see how that goes.

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[JTQ]

I ordered a set of Chip McCormick Match Grades

I don't know the Wild bunch rules, but do they allow 8 round mags? Seems like they wouldn't.

 

[JTQ]

I looked it up. 8 round mags are OK.

http://sassnet.com/wildbunch/Wild Bunch Handbook 2013.pdf

 

[peacemaker45]

I looked it up. 8 round mags are OK.

http://sassnet.com/wildbunch/Wild Bunch Handbook 2013.pdf

Yeah, the rule is it has to be flat based, not that it has to be a seven rounder.

Can you imagine the RO's job if he had to check every mag to see whether it would fit that eighth round? Oy.

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[peacemaker45]

And the Match Grades don't work either. these at least fit in the frame, but not a one of the six will lock the slide back. :banghead:

 

[Old Fuff]

1. Field strip your pistol.

2. Insert magazine in the frame, and reassemble the slide stop.

3. Observe how the magazine follower interacts with the slide stop.

A minor modification may solve the problem.