Mags for RIA 1911

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JulietTango

JulietTango

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I’ve got a Rock Island standard GI .45.Looking for spare mags. The mag that came with the gun has been great. I bought some Chip McCormack’s that don’t work so good. While shooting I have to stop between rounds and push up on the mag in order to fire the next round. And when empty the mag won’t drop free. Any suggestions?
 
Your RIA mag is probably ACT-Mag https://actmagusa.com

The most recommended 1911 mags are typically, in no particular order, Wilson, McCormick (now owned by Wilson), Tripp Research, or CheckMate.
While shooting I have to stop between rounds and push up on the mag in order to fire the next round.
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Either you haven't completely inserted the mag - a strong possibility if you're new to 1911's and using a flush fit 8 rounder, or you have an issue with your mag catch.
 
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Make really certain that your mags are locking in. One of my RIAs won't allow mags with plastic baseplates to lock in properly. the welded metal baseplates work fine. But the tolerances are very close.
 
My RIA is a double-stack 9mm. (.38 Super frame.) I ordered the Mec-Gar mages, as far as I can tell, they factory mags are Mec-Gar mags.

For my Kimber I have been running Wilson 47Ds for many years. I would buy a single one and try it, and if they work, buy a few more.
 
1KPerDay said:
Make really certain that your mags are locking in. One of my RIAs won't allow mags with plastic baseplates to lock in properly. the welded metal baseplates work fine. But the tolerances are very close.
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Does your gun show a preference for 7 vs 8 rounds? The 3 mags I have that are problematic are 8 rounds with plastic base plate.
 
JulietTango said:
Does your gun show a preference for 7 vs 8 rounds? The 3 mags I have that are problematic are 8 rounds with plastic base plate.
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I don’t have any 7 round mags. All of my 8 rounders including a bunch of chip McCormick shooting stars with welded baseplates work perfectly. As do ATI, Colt, Metalform, and Checkmate.
If you bought the pistol new contact RIA; they are known for good customer service.
 
I think 1KPerDay and I were thinking perhaps it was the front upper lip of the bumper pad on a PowerMag that was contacting with the front strap of your pistol that was keeping you from fully inserting the mag. However, now we're aware they are Shooting Stars, that shouldn't be the issue.

However, the Shooting Star is a flush 8 rounder - a size originally designed to hold 7 - and sometimes folks don't insert them fully when the slide is forward. Do you have the same issues when you insert the mag with the slide locked open?
 
JTQ said:
I think 1KPerDay and I were thinking perhaps it was the front upper lip of the bumper pad on a PowerMag that was contacting with the front strap of your pistol that was keeping you from fully inserting the mag. However, now we're aware they are Shooting Stars, that shouldn't be the issue.

However, the Shooting Star is a flush 8 rounder - a size originally designed to hold 7 - and sometimes folks don't insert them fully when the slide is forward. Do you have the same issues when you insert the mag with the slide locked open?
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I’ll take it with me to the range tomorrow. I didn’t think of it my last range trip, but if I were to only load 7 rounds in should I expect a different result?
 
I have a RIA Tactical, sucker loves shooting stars. Wilson's it won't feed HP's, but will feed ball fine. $9 shooting stars will feed empty cases. I'll take it.
 
JulietTango said:
I’ll take it with me to the range tomorrow. I didn’t think of it my last range trip, but if I were to only load 7 rounds in should I expect a different result?
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IF your problem is not fully seating an 8-round-full mag against a closed slide, then yes, loading 7 will help. If your mag catch or something else is wonky, you’ll need factory help or a gunsmith.
 
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a lot of decent magazine out there, Mecgar is one, but if I'm going to pay money for after market magazines in hopes they will work, I side with Wilson Combat magazines.
 
I use Mec-Gars in mine---feed both 230gr ball and 200lswc with no problem---I get them from Cheaper than Dirt.
 
I purchased 2 RIA magazines. They work great. I also have one MEC-Gar magazine that came with my ATI. All of them work excellent on both my RIA and ATI 1911 45acp.
 
I verified that the one mag that came with the gun has ACT made in Italy stamped on the side. This one works great. The other three have shooting star stamped on the follower. These have given me problems. I've taken the rubber butt plates off so we'll see how they do. Range opens at 8 EST.
 
The bumper pads, if they are Shooting Star mags, should not be part of your problem. Actually, they should be an aid allowing you to seat the mags easier.
 
JulietTango said:
I verified that the one mag that came with the gun has ACT made in Italy stamped on the side. This one works great. The other three have shooting star stamped on the follower. These have given me problems.
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If you compare the magazine tubes, you'll note the ACT-Mag has a longer tube than the McCormick mags. In addition, the McCormick mag probably has a stronger spring.

These two things will make it more difficult to seat the McCormick mag with the slide forward, if that's your issue.
 
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