1911 Mags - why not GI????

[briang2ad]

I've read plenty of info on the fact that the GI mags have feed lips NOT designed for the modern HPs - blah blah blah.

BUT, in both my SA Milspec and RIA Tactical, the GI mags make my rounds feed at a higher angle, thus, having led chance to hang up on a 'mag feed' and better to avoid hitting the ramp hard an glancing up.

When I do my static 'mag test' (run on old ash can through the stack from a slide stop release, the GI mags feel smoother in feeding.

At the range, I don't have any problems with them.

Why don't people go after GI mags more often? (And they're $10-12 bucks a pop). You can clean and polish them as slick as any modern mag.

 

[earplug]

Modern stuff works real good

I use stainless Chip McCormick 8rd mags for shooting SS USPSA.
Not worrying about rust and getting the extra round is really nice.
Many newer mags have predrilled holes for a mag bump pad.

 

[bdb benzino]

I an a big fan of Chip McCormick and Wilson combat magazines.

 

[Zerodefect]

Deos Tripp still make Cobra mags? Mine rock!

My Kimber and Chip Mcdonalds mags were destroying my frame and attemting to get to my ramp.

 

[Hk Dan]

Chip McCormick?

I run Mec-Gar 8 rounders and McCormicks along with 7 round Gi mags. I like the 8th round, personally, and have no issues with any of them, even running at speed in a match.

 

[AK103K]

I always had the best luck with either original Colt or GI mags. They were the only ones that worked in all my 1911's without issue. Most all the others might work in some, but then not in others.

I bought a bunch of the good blued GI "contract" mags back in the 90's for $4.50ea., and still have them today. They never had any problems with hollow points or SWC's either for that matter, and i've shot a lot of both out of them over the years.

If your looking to buy the GI mags, you do have to watch though, just because they are "surplus", doesnt meant they are good. A lot of "surplus" is just reject stuff bought up at auction and sold as good. I bought a number of new, parkerized GI mags on one occasion that were pure crap.

 

[Oro]

I always had the best luck with either original Colt or GI mags. They were the only ones that worked in all my 1911's without issue.

This has been my experience, too. I have WWI and WWII magazines I still shoot with periodically.

Why don't people go after GI mags more often? (And they're $10-12 bucks a pop).

Be careful buying at that price - I frankly don't see real GI magazines at that price anywhere or at shows anymore. People have caught on to the quality they represent, or hoarded them with their old military pistols. Good GI magazines I see (for example, legitimate Vietnam and later era Checkmate contract ones, or WWII or earlier) will run $30 to $60 each for the most part. There are lots of fake "GI" magazines in correspondingly fake packaging on gun forums, at shows, and on GunBroker, etc., usually around $10.

One way to ID the very early WWII and prior magazines is the pinned baseplates. Baseplates were pinned from introduction until 1942, when welding replaced that technique. The well-worn WWI vintage magazine pictured below should make them appear obvious. Another tip is pick up Ballester Molina or FMAP M1927 (aka, "Sistema") magazines from Argentine imports. They were good quality magazines made to pre-WWII colt specs, complete with pinned bases. I have some samples of each of those and they run perfectly with ball, HP, and also LSWC reloads. Examine the lips though for cracking - it appears they did not harden them sufficiently, just like the earliest Colt magazines.

If you need a quality magazine, I think the Colt OEM ones are the best value. If you really need to pinch some pennies, the SA magazines are good quality - they are basic Metalform magazines, and a good deal especially if you or someone you know bought a new Springfield and has the magazines discount coupon.

 

[1911Tuner]

Briang...I see that you've discovered the gradual late release provided by the tapered feed lips of the original design magazines. That lip geometry lets the rear of the round come up as it moves forward, reducing the breakover angle, and giving the cartridge a straighter shot into the chamber. Works good...don't it?

You can get the same thing with Colt OEM 7-round magazines, plus a timed release point that comes late enough in the feeding phase to maintain full control over the round. It's the best of both worlds. A hybrid mating of the original "Hardball" magazine and the abrupt, timed release of the more recent "Wadcutter" design like the Wilson and McCormick.

Check-Mate Industries also offers the same magazine...which is a Colt design that appeared in the early 80s, just prior to the introduction of the Series 80 pistols. They list it as the 7-round Hybrid, and really starts to shine when the Wolff 11-pound spring option is specified at a nominal extra cost...but well worth it.

I got lucky about 2 years ago. I obtained two dozen brand-spankin' new WW2-era contract magazines for 15 bucks a copy. I got Risdon...General Shaver...MS Little...and even a couple produced by Colt in the package. They were still wrapped in the vapor paper. They feed everything from ball to hollowpoints to lead semi-wadcutters in every pistol that I own...including several unaltered USGI pistols...including a 1919 Black Army Colt, as well as a 1925 commercial Government Model.

Excellent magazines.

 

[gwnorth]

I bought some Check-Mate stainless hybrid mags for my Combat Commander and they have been great. Check-Mate is an OEM mag maker for Colt and other then the markings, they are indeed indistinguishable from what came with my Colt.. The mags sell for around $18 apiece.

 

[briang2ad]

Hey Tuner: Thanks. I have heard about the checkmates - what is the best place to buy? Maybe here:http://www.topgunsupply.com/check-mate-.45acp-7rd-blue-hybrid-full-size-1911-magazine.html

Nowadays, I look for the IM291 mags - they are all the same, and the same as my "arms room issue" mags I used to use back in the 80s in 'real' 1911a1s. They work perfectly - and might just need a little cleaning and lip polish. (Don't use pink). hehe.

As far as I can tell, the ones marked IM291 are the real deal - if not 70s era, and they aren't that expensive. Yes, I've seen the ripoffs, but not with this stamp - not yet.

 

[Slamfire]

Why don't people go after GI mags more often? (And they're $10-12 bucks a pop). You can clean and polish them as slick as any modern mag.

I have Shooting Star, Chip McCormick stainless mags.

All I have to do is wipe them off before I put them away. GI magazines are carbon steel and they will rust.

That's why I like aftermarket.

 

[Sapper771]

I read an excellent article/post on the different styles of 1911 magazine feed lips a few months ago. I ended up raffling through my box of magazines and I found one old 1911 magazine with the GI feed lips. I loaded it up with some ball and slowly hand cycled a few rounds through my '74 Colt. Man it was smooth. I haven't tried the mag with HPs yet.

 

[1911Tuner]

Briang...You can order them direct from Check-Mate. Ask for Joe DeBello. Be sure to specify the Wolff spring option. Money well spent. If you arrange a group buy, ordering 50 or more nets you a sizeable discount on the cost per magazine. Joe will give ya the skinny.

 

[briang2ad]

I've had GI mags for decades, and no rust. CMC mags are good, but they don't get the feed angle of the GIs.

OK - if you're living in the woods continually, you'll have to lightly oil them every month - but I don't.

 

[GRIZ22]

I've always stuck to GI or Colt Commercial magazines with no problems with any type of bullet.

 

[evan price]

There are FAR TOO MANY forged USGI mags running around out there being sold by sellers either too ignorant or too greedy to care.

Nearly all of the ones I see at gun shows- sealed in brown paper, with cage codes and everything, are fakes. You can tell by the size of the holes in the body, by the type of lettering on the baseplates, and the style of the feed lips. Also, anybody selling even surplus USGI mags for $8, seriously?
If you see 30745 it's probably a fake. There are Chinese makers sending out fake Cage code 30745 magazines and they sell for less than $10 each at gunshows; I've seen them as cheap as $6 if you buy a couple dozen. They come wrapped in brown paper and have very authentic looking labels on the brown paper. But they are fake.

I am always on the lookout for Ballester-Molina magazines to feed my Ballesters. Not so easy to find in nice shape nowadays. The original Ballester mags honestly work best in the Ballesters. They will have a serial number stamped in the bottom to match the gun.