Wilson (or other) 1911 low profile mag question.

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wojownik

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1911 aficionados. I recently expanded my 1911 collection to include a Dan Wesson Guardian 45 (wow, fantastic pistol, but I'll leave that for another thread).

So, looking at the range of Wilson mags for concealed purposes. 8 rounds, low profile. I currently run Chip McCormack and Wilson 47D mags (plus USGI mags for range plinking).

The 47DC seems to be what I need, but what about the ETM (500C)?

Any concerns about the steel base plate, compared to the usual base plate you see in the 47D mags? i.e. same spring tension, etc?

Other good options for a high reliability 1911 mag, 8 round, low profile?

Thanks!
 
I suppose it depends on what you consider "low profile". The full size ETM mags are true 8 rounders and have longer tubes than their 47 Series counterparts. While the 47D (8 rounder) has the same tube length as the 47 (7 rounder), they would still not be flush fit, even without a bumper pad, but they are shorter than the ETM mags.

The 47DC uses the same spring and follower as the 47D. The only difference is the bumper pad.

Wilson 47DC https://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-M...d-Lo-Profile-Steel-Base-Pad/productinfo/47DC/

I like Wilson mags a lot. I have more Wilson mags than any other brand, but the full size 8 round 47 Series is really the worst mag (everything is relative) in their line-up. If you want a tube that length from Wilson, the 7 round 47 has a better follower and spring. If you have to have an 8 rounder, the ETM's are designed from the ground up to hold 8 rounds rather than a modified 7 rounder.

If you want a flush fit 8 rounder, I'd choose something that uses the Devel follower as used in the McCormick line-up. Usual choices would be either the Shooting Stars or the Match Grade mags.

Shooting Star https://www.cmcproducts.com/SHOOTING-STAR-CLASSIC--8RD-45ACP-M1911-BLUED-STEEL-MAGAZINE_p_206.html

Match Grade https://www.cmcproducts.com/MATCH-GRADE--8RD-45ACP-M1911-MAGAZINE_p_201.html
 
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Any concerns about the steel base plate, compared to the usual base plate you see in the 47D mags?
I generally like the shape and size of the Wilson 47 and McCormick PowerMag standard pads, but I have a handful of the Wilson's with the steel pads. They are very nice.

I don't treat my mags terribly harsh, but if I did, I could see the advantage to the steel pad. Otherwise they are at quite a premium, price-wise (I think about $7 - $8 dollars) over their standard counterparts. To me the length difference for concealment is immaterial, especially with a gun the size of a 1911, and the mag still wouldn't be flush fit.

I see the steel pad's advantage being in strength and weight as they do drop out just a little faster on mag changes.

I don't have an extended magwell on my 1911's, so it may be different for those that use a magwell.
 
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While the Wilson 47 shines, the 47D much less. You really don't get something for nothing. They aren't as bad as the 8rd SIG 220 flush bottom magazines, but pretty close.

For an 8rd magazine, I've always preferred the Chip McCormick PowerMags. The CMC mags are the original Devel 8rd magazines. The Wilson ETM magazine brought them on par with the CMC PowerMag.

As long as you're using the low profile base pads on any or the mags, it isn't going to make a lot of difference in concealability. I like a little extra length to insure complete seating during a reload
 
This is all helpful. I'll stick with CMC PowerMags. I also noticed that CMC mags drop much (much) more freely than Wilson from my Dan Wesson.

And I hear what you said about the 8rd Sig 220 mags. ugh.
 
There isn't going to be much difference going forward as Wilson has purchased CMC
Are you saying the mags will stay the same as they currently are, or are you saying the mags from both brands will become the same.

I suspect them to remain similar to what they are currently. My understanding is there are some railed feed lips (from the CMC RPM) now in the Wilson line-up, but I don't expect the Devel follower to go away, and Wilson will probably keep their polymer followers.

Of course I could be wrong.
 
I like the Wilson #47D magazines that I use with my DW Valor, my “pre-E series” SW 1911, and my Ruger SR 1911 Commander length 1911.

I like the 9mm Wilson ETM’s that I use with my STI Trojan, these are the “old” style ETM mags with the polymer followers.
 
In either scenario, I'm going to lean towards the CMC PowerMag+ because the Shooting Star and regular PowerMag have steel followers. My Dan Wesson Guardian has an aluminum frame. At one point CMC itself advised that it cannot recommend the PowerMag for aluminum framed 1911s and to go with the PM+ model. Annnd the money keeps flowing through the credit card .... lol.

Are you saying the mags will stay the same as they currently are, or are you saying the mags from both brands will become the same.

I suspect them to remain similar to what they are currently. My understanding is there are some railed feed lips (from the CMC RPM) now in the Wilson line-up, but I don't expect the Devel follower to go away, and Wilson will probably keep their polymer followers.

Of course I could be wrong.
 
In either scenario, I'm going to lean towards the CMC PowerMag+ because the Shooting Star and regular PowerMag have steel followers. My Dan Wesson Guardian has an aluminum frame.
The PowerMag + also has a steel follower, but it is the McCormick mag recommended for aluminum framed guns.
 
Are you saying the mags will stay the same as they currently are, or are you saying the mags from both brands will become the same.
No one yet knows.

Ideally they'd combine the best features of both lines...or pick the best from each line to fill different marketing points...to produce an optimized line of magazines. But there is a lot of ego involved when your name is on a magazine
 
I have a friend who has carried his alloy-frame Kimber Pro Carry for years with Tripp Cobra mags which have a hybrid polymer / steel follower. I can vouch for the fact that this gun is 100% reliable with these magazines.
 
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