All done with Colt 8 round mags

[SSN Vet]

After today's range time, I've decided that my Colt 8 round mags have proven themselves unreliable in my Combat Commander.

I'd like to salvage some of the expense if possible and convert them to 7 rounders.

Can someone please advise me on this? Do I need to swap out both the springs and the followers?

My factory Colt 7 round mags have been 100% reliable, after 1,100 rounds down the pipe.

 

[docnyt]

What type of problem were you experiencing?

 

[SSN Vet]

FTF last round... All the time, and with all types of ammo....

 

[Eaglestroker]

I use and recommend Tripp Research rebuild kits. I bought a bunch of cheap mags and rebuilt them.

 

[SSN Vet]

Anyone out there have any experience with CMC conversion kits?

http://www.cmctactical.com/conversionkits_21_ctg.html

 

[loadedround]

Will they fuction properly with just 7 rounds in them? Just food for thought.

 

[Zerodefect]

I use and recommend Tripp Research rebuild kits. I bought a bunch of cheap mags and rebuilt them.

This.

 

[JTQ]

As mentioned, Tripp Research.

Here is the link.

http://www.trippresearch.com/store/index.html

My guess is your current Colt mag has the same Devel follower that is in the Chip McCormick mag and rebuild kit.

 

[G27RR]

Will they fuction properly with just 7 rounds in them? Just food for thought.

I had the same thought.

 

[rellascout]

I am a big fan of Chip Mccormicks Power Mags. $23 a pop for 8 rounders.

http://www.cmcmags.com/Powermags.html


I have never had issues with Colts but I used them mainly for range use.

 

[1911Tuner]

The OEM Colt 8-round sticks are McCormick Shooting Stars. The only basic difference between the SS and the PM is the spring. Install a Wolff +5% extra-power spring in a Shooting Star, and you've created a Powermag with a welded base.

You can use a standard 7-round follower and spring in the Shooting Star. The feed lips are probably different from your OEM 7-rounders, and they may or may not be as feed reliable. It depends on the gun. Since yours has been okay except for the last round, it probably will be. You can get followers from Check-Mate, and you can get Wolff mag springs from Brownells. I suggest the 11-pounders.

 

[WardenWolf]

Funny, I decided I wanted low-profile stainless-bottomed mags in my RIA 1911 so I just got Colt 7-rounders. Run perfectly.

 

[9mmepiphany]

1911Tuner - What has been your experience with the Metalform magazines with the rounded followers?

I've heard good things from folks who have a lot of exposure to a lot of different mags, looking for more input before making a decision

 

[1911Tuner]

Underwhelming...

 

[rellascout]

What were the issues?

 

[1911Tuner]

Weak springs. Bolt Over Base misfeeds. No speed bump on the follower. Jumping the follower on the last round.

 

[skimbell]

...so I just got Colt 7-rounders. Run perfectly.

Same for me. I've had some 8 round mags. Even had some 8 rounders that seemed to work O.K. But they just never worked O.K. in my head I guess. Seemed that I was always waiting for something to happen.
Mark me down as a firm believer. 1911's have 7 round mags.

 

[SSN Vet]

After cleaning and further inspection I can see that the cut in the bodies is different between the 7 & 8 round Colt factory mags. Again, this Commander has been 100% with the factory 7round mags. I'll be happy if I can convert the 8s to 7s.

I guess I should have known better!

 

[DBR]

I have had good results with the Metalform flat followers here:

http://www.metalform.us/collections/pistol-magazines/products/magazine-components

and Wolff +10% springs.

 

[SSN Vet]

The feed lips are probably different from your OEM 7-rounders,

the Colt 8 round mags have the same "modified feed lips" as the Colt 7 round mags.

I'm only interested in putting money into these if I can get 100% reliability.... and can live without 8 rounds.

 

[1911Tuner]

Look at the lips again. Unless something has changed in the past year, the OEM Colt feed lips are tapered...opening up wider toward the front, while the 8-round feed lips are parallel with an earlier release point than the 7-rounders.

Here's a side-by-side comparison.

 

[BullfrogKen]

1911Tuner - What has been your experience with the Metalform magazines with the rounded followers?

I've heard good things from folks who have a lot of exposure to a lot of different mags, looking for more input before making a decision

I've been using nothing but Metalform magazines for about 5 or 6 years now.


Back when I had Jim Garthwaite build my .38 Super 1911, he was supplying Metalforms with the guns to his customers. In my case, he used Metalform bodies with Wilson springs and followers. After I wore the plastic followers out, I replaced them with Metalform metal rounded followers.

The last time I ordered Metalform magazines they had an option to upgrade mags ordered from the factory to come supplied with Wolff springs. That was several years ago. I don't shoot my .45s much at all anymore, but I personally haven't had any problems with their 7 round capacity rounded followers.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I highly recommend the Tripp Super 7 kits in those Colt magazines. I put them in my OEM Colts and they are fantastic.

 

[InkEd]

Try just using 7rds in the 8rd mags before spending your money. Sometimes the easiest solution is the best solution.

 

[1911Tuner]

Ken...I have 72 Metalforms in the standard 7-round configuration with Wolff 11-pounds springs that have been doing hard range duty for 10 years and they've given excellent service. I lost one about a year ago to base welds letting go, but I had a few spares.

Metalform will replace it, if I ever get around to sending it back.

It's the rounded followers and proprietary springs that didn't impress me very much.