1911 magazines

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gburner

New member
I'm having problems with FTF in my 1911. I have one .45 Colt magazine that seems to function fine. The problem comes with the two Kimber 8 shot mags. Any suggestions n where I can get more Colt or USGI mags?
Thanks!
 
You can pick up Colt mags at gun shows. They're all over the place. In addition, try using MecGar mags. They manufacturer OEM mags for many companies.

Of course, you can also try the Wilson Combat route (7 rounders). Those mags have never failed me.
 
The Kimber mags are basically remarked Chip McCormicks. Some folks swear by them, others swear at them. I'm in the latter category, unfortunately. As mentioned the Wilson magazines are considered the overall best out there (either 7 or 8 rounders work fine in my experience), although some folks have experienced gradual wear to the plastic follower. Factory Colt magazines from 15 years or more ago were excellent, as were all GI mags from that time period back through WW2. New Colt mags however are made of thinner gauge metal these days, and tend to be less reliable. Regarding GI mags, a lot of so-called ones out there are actually cheap imported junk.

Here are my recommendations, in order:

Wilson 7 round
Wilson 8 round
Metalform 7 round
Wolff 7 round
Ed Brown 7 round
Older factory Colt or GI mags

There may be others out there, but these are the ones I've tried and found to work well.
 
Another vote for Wilson mags, especially for carry. For competitive shooting I use the Metalform mags. They are tough and reliable.
 
The Chip McCormick "powerspring" magazines seem to be of higher quality than the Kimber magazines. The 7 and 8 round Chip McCormick magazines have never given me a problem. To be fair, neither has the one that came with my Kimber. Stay away from the 10 round magazines though.
 
Newbie question about the Wilson 7 rounders

Can someone please explain the differences between the 4 different Wilson 7 round mags?

I'm not sure what the descriptions mean:

#47 .45 ACP 7rd, standard .350" base pad
#47A .45 ACP 7rd, standard, aluminum .350" base pad
#47C .45 ACP 7rd, low profile steel base pad
#47CB .45 ACP 7rd, low profile steel base pad, Black

I'm just looking for a reliable replacement for the one that came with my stainless Kimber.

Thanks!
 
Just get Wilson 47-anythings and be done with it.

Nightcrawler, the 10-round magazines stick out at the bottom. They're just elongated mags.
 
I've used one of the 10-rounders, and it worked just fine. Granted I only shot 20 rounds with it (1911s just look wrong with extended mags like that), but it didn't fail at all.
 
Jetfire:

Since no one else will answer your question, I'll give it a try. The difference in the four magazines you listed is in the base pads: the size of the pad and the material it's made from --- plastic, aluminum or steel. Go to Wilson's website at the link below and you can see the differnce in size in the picture posted there. Generally, you would want the slimmer profile for carry and the thicker one for practice or competition (helps with seating the mag during quick mag changes).

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/accessories/magazines.asp
 
Here is a photo with several styles of Wilson Magazines:
mags_2002.jpg


I use the #47, standard .350" base pad, #47C, 7rd, low profile steel base pad and the #47CB, 7rd, low profile steel base pad, Black.

I prefer the #47CB for a blued gun and the #47 and #47C for a stainless gun.

These seven round Wilson magazines are extremely reliable with hardball and JHP's in the Commander and the Government Model.
 
Wilson 47D 8-round magazines work quite well in my 1911 compact, commander and government models.

They are well-made, durable and reasonably priced.

I also use Chick McCormik 8-round magazines. Visually, they are outstanding. Performance is on par with the Wilson 47D.

However, you simply cannot beat Wilson service!
 
I had Chip McCormick mags for training but they wore out after only 1 year.

I now use Metalforms for training and Les Baers for carry. 7 rounders only.
 
The only mags that work in all my 1911's are the government contract mags. Best part is they are also the cheapest. Those $35 a pop Wilsons dont work in all my pistols, and the annoying thing when I first opened the package when I got home was, they said to "only use hardball" with them. Whats up with that?
 
The only mags that work in all my 1911's are the government contract mags. Best part is they are also the cheapest. Those $35 a pop Wilsons dont work in all my pistols, and the annoying thing when I first opened the package when I got home was, they said to "only use hardball" with them. Whats up with that?
 
Only use hardball?

Wilsons dont work in all my pistols, and the annoying thing when I first opened the package when I got home was, they said to "only use hardball" with them. Whats up with that?
Click to expand...
Please re-read the information that came with your Wilson magazine.

The printed material that came with mine has recommendations for reloading, and also recommends the following factory ammunition:

Winchester - 185 gr. Silvertip, 230 gr. SXT
Remington - 185 gr. Golden Saber, 230 gr. Golder Saber
Federal - 230 gr. Classic, 230 gr. Hydra-Shok
Hornady - 200 gr. XTP, 230 gr. XTP
Speer - 230 gr. Gold Dot
 
Unfortunately, there is only one way to tell what will work best in YOUR gun...The quality mags have already been pointed out to you and the other place to look for problems is your extractor...Here's a link that may help...and of course, Bill Wilson wrote it...
bandit.gif


Go to:http://www.m1911.org/technic2.htm

In fact, between the .org site and the ;

http://www.sightm1911.com/
...you should be able to get an idea of how to do most everything!

Good Luck...g2
 
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