Looking to buy some new magazines (Qs about Wilson 1911 mags)

[CPshooter]

I'm looking to pick up 2 Wilson officers mags for my ultra carry II, and two mags for my series 80 colt commander. Problem is I don't know which Wilson magazine to get for the colt..

The regular magazines come in 7 and 8 rounds. I want the 8 round mag, but are there any drawbacks to the 8rd mags? The reason I ask is because they also have the ETM (Elite Tactical Magazine) 8rd magazine. The description says that it will seat easily even when loaded to the full 8 rounds. Will the regular 8rd 1911 mags not seat easily when fully loaded?

So should I go with the ETM 8rd or the "standard" 8rd Wilson mag?

 

[orchidhunter]

I hope you don't think, that a change from the factory mags will make that thing reliable. Little 1911 type pistols are cute, but they just don't work. orchidhunter

 

[rklessdriver]

I don't have an Officers Model, so I can't give you a recommendation there.

I have a box full of Wilson 47D's which are std lenght 8rnd mags. They will fit your Commander. They have always run good in my 1911's. The newer ones have a different finish to the material and the seam is visable on the spine of the mag body, but they run as well as my much nicer finised older ones.

I have one (1) of the new 8rnd "Enhanced" ETM mags. I thought I'd try one just to see... It don't impress me as any better than my trusty 47D's. It has numbering (on the side) so you know how may rnds are in it and a different base pad, but other wise it's not much different and cost more...

I can seat either of them easily enough on a closed slide when fully loaded, so I don't know what kind of problems or difficulties others might be talking about there.

IMO if you want a Wilson mag for your 1911 5" or Commander, you want the 47D.
Will

 

[conan]

The regular magazines come in 7 and 8 rounds. I want the 8 round mag, but are there any drawbacks to the 8rd mags? The reason I ask is because they also have the ETM (Elite Tactical Magazine) 8rd magazine. The description says that it will seat easily even when loaded to the full 8 rounds. Will the regular 8rd 1911 mags not seat easily when fully loaded?

So should I go with the ETM 8rd or the "standard" 8rd Wilson mag?

The Wilson ETM magazine is a little longer to truely or rather properly fit 8 rounds. The 47d magazines are 7 round bodies adapted (or modified) to accept 8rds. I would go with the ETM magazine for my 8 rounders, they are the best in my opinion.

 

[JohnnyOrygun]

I am very happy with my Wilson 47D's, I have never had any sort of feed or failure to feed problem with them. They are ***totally*** reliable in my experience. I have not used the ETM mag's yet, but I will probably buy one to just to try. Good luck CPshooter

YMMV
JohnnyOrygun

 

[CPshooter]

I hope you don't think, that a change from the factory mags will make that thing reliable. Little 1911 type pistols are cute, but they just don't work. orchidhunter

Gee, what a constructive comment that was I understand people have bad luck with handguns. I had a terrible experience with a Kahr pm9, and when threads come up about them I will share my experience, but at least I have SOMETHING to back up what I say. You just come in here with something stupid to say and think it's going to change something...how about you stay out of my thread, huh?

And yes, by buying Wilson magazines I am decreasing my chances of having a magazine related failure compared to the notoriously crappy factory Kimber magazines. Therefore, I am making the "thing" more reliable. Not to mention I'd be eliminating the common problem of the aluminum frame being gouged by the factory magazine. Is that good enough to put your negativity to rest?

To everyone else, thanks for your helpful input! I really appreciate it. Maybe I'll get 1 of the standard 8rd mags, and 1 ETM just to experience both for myself. I figure I'll buy more down the road anyways, so this will give me the opportunity to see which I like more.

I can't believe I'm about to spend almost $150 on four magazines! But with a lifetime warranty, I think it will be worth it in the long run.

Any more thoughts?

 

[bpl]

I have used the 47Ds with good results. I have not tried the ETM mag. I have also used the Kimber Kim Pro Tac mags - had some FTF and FTRB with those initially, but now they seem to be working fine. Maybe the gun/breakin stuff?? Anyway, I use the 47Ds for home defense and IDPA and they work great!

 

[benderx4]

WHen I owned 1911s, I used the Wilson 47Ds, and they operated without flaw.

 

[Onmilo]

After trying a bunch of Big Brand Name magazines, I have gone back to plain old Colt blued seven round magazines.
Still best in show in my most humble opinion.

 

[Walkalong]

Little 1911 type pistols are cute, but they just don't work

Malarky.

I have a 3" EMP and a 3" CDP II Ultra. My nephew has a 3" Tactical Ultra. All run like a finely tuned engine.

I use a couple of Wilson 47 OXCB 7 round mags with extended aluminum bases 47 BAN, since I put a Kimber magwell on it, in my CDP Ultra for carry, but it runs great with the Kimber Pro-Tac mag I have as well.

I bought one of the new Wilson "Elite" mags to try in full sized guns, and it works fine. It "borrowed" from others in its design. I don't know if it is any better than their regular mag. Some guns don't like the 8 round mags, period.

 

[DeepSouth]

I would recommend staying with the 7 round mags, spring life on an eight rounder is drastically shorter. And you won't be giving up but one shot. I have recently switched sides on this issue. I have a Springfield that I ran over 1000 rounds through and never had a problem, then my eight rounders started giving me trouble on the last round. Why risk it? And the Wilson Mags are top notch.

 

[kcshooter]

I hope you don't think, that a change from the factory mags will make that thing reliable. Little 1911 type pistols are cute, but they just don't work. orchidhunter

orchidhunter, I keep seeing these little nuggets of wisdom from you. Problem is, you're dead wrong.
While the shorter slide travel makes timing a little more tricky, almost every 3/3.5/4/4.25 inch 1911 works just fine.


OP, if you want to use the Wilson 8rd'ers, I'd buy one first, see how it runs, then buy the rest. Most of my 1911s run fine with them, regardless of slide length, but I have a Springer that chokes on them every time. Wilsons springs go weak faster than most, so if you shoot a lot, plan on replacing the springs with some extra power ones from Wolff.

I'd also look into Checkmate magazines, if I were you.