1911 Magwell Pros/con?

[squadman]

Who prefers magwell on their 1911? Pros/cons? I know it adds about 1/4 of an inch. I currently carry without one and use the Wilson #47DC low profile. Mark M33

 

[Lone_Gunman]

How often do you have to reload while carrying?

 

[squadman]

Lone_Gunman, good point.

 

[MoNsTeR]

If you don't want to add length, get a Briley or Heinie magwell.

The Valtro site has some great pics of what they look like
http://www.jardinescustom.com/custom1911s.html
The "Full-On Hard Chrome" shows the Heinie style, and the "Custom Two Tone" shows the Briley style.

I have a Briley on my... Briley , it's the shiznit.

The bummer is that they require milling and welding, and are expensive...

 

[cratz2]

I don't have a strong preference for or against on a carry gun though generally I guess I'd rather not have one. I've bought one gun that came with a magwell and added magwells to two other guns. Don't know why... just parts swappin.

Pros: Slightly faster reload for a novice to moderate shooter.

Cons: Mags with flat bases don't work so well. Adds nominal bit of length. Unless properly fitted, usually has an unsightly gap between frame. The cost. Requires flat cut grips which further drives up the cost.

 

[Mil Novecientos Once]

The key to speed reloads is practice.

Mis 2 centavos:

Carry gun = no magwell

Game gun = magwell

My CCW (my game gun also) once had a magwell but I noticed that eventually it ripped some of my shirts when I spent some time sitting in chairs with a wooden or hard backrest. I may round off the edges of the magwell with a file in case I use it again while carrying.

During my daily dry firing drills, from 5 to 10 minutes max, I practice reloads without the magwell.

 

[Treylis]

I carry a 1911 with a magwell... the minimal length it adds is worth it, I feel. I figure that if I end up having to reload in a combat situation, my hands might be a little shaky, and they'd need all the help they can get guiding a fresh mag in.

 

[wally]

For a CCW, no mag well, no base pads, no finger extenisons. The length of the grip is generally what gives you away other than thickness and the dynamics of the weight bouncing around when you move. Barrel length is the least important factor as long as its short enough for you to sit comfortably.

For an external holster carry gun or game gun, if you like'em go for it.

--wally.

 

[Tamara]

To put it as simply as possible:

Pro: Faster, more positive reloads.

Con: Slightly longer grip.

Since I carry Wilson 47 Deltas in my CCW 1911's, the "overall length" issue is moot. I have magwells on two of my CCW guns; not a "must-have", but nice all the same...

(Any SWAT-qual'ed FBI agent you converse with has a magwell on the carry gun you can't see under his coat or shirttail. )