45 magazine loading

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TMSTBT

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First post should always be a stupid question so here goes... I've got a SA 1911 GI (just to set the stage) I've purchased 4 10 rd. magazines and starting loading FMJ and HP but I have to use just about all my finger strength to load all 10 cartridges into the mags. Now, I'm not Hercules nor a string bean but getting down to shells 7-10 I had a hell of a time finishing loading the mags (also on the 7 rd. mags) Can anyone give me some info on what I'm doing wrong, if anything? Mags fit into the gun no problem as they were purchased from the SA web site. (I mean I almost had to "stand" on the shells to load all 10...) Thanks for any and all advice to a newbie.
 

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You're likely not doing anythig wrong--they are tight SOBs as you get near to topping them off. My XD comes with a magazine feed assist--did your model not come with one? If not, that's what I would look into if that's slowing you down.
 
I was hoping for a picture of the mag. :)
Often, loading the magazine to capacity and leaving it loaded for a days is advised to allow the springs to take their initial set. Subsequent loading should be easier.
The springs need to be stiff to lift a stack of .45 rounds, but they should lighten somewhat with use.
 
thanks everyone for the quick replies; sorry, here's a pic of the mag... and going to purchase the uplula (sp) loader
 

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Is that from ACT-Mag? Does it have Made in Italy stamped on it?
I used ACT-Mag 8-rounders for a while, and they weren't hard to load, but you never know how a given manufacturer is going to juggle tube length, spring strength, etc.
 
I don't have much trouble barehanding a conventional 7x.45 magazine and my Power Mag 8x.45s are not bad, nor my custom 9x.45s.

Smallbores are tougher, a 9x9mm is harder to load than a .45 and a 10x9mm requires an UpLula for me to do more than a couple.

Double stack 12x.45 STIs are a bear to get even 11 in for IDPA LAMR, UpLula for sure..
 
I think you would have a lot better luck using the Wilson Combat 10rd Mags.
I have two and they are easy to load full by hand.
 
The only high capacity (double stack) .45acp magazines I have are for my Taurus PT-145 and they ain't getting loaded without help. The last two (9&10) are brutal. The UpLULA is the next best thing to the invention of the 1911.
 
I will +1 again for the Uplula, when I got my FNX-45 the mags were tough to get all 15 rounds of 45 into them, the Uplula made loading them a breeze, I also recommend loading them and leaving them like that for a week or two. They will get easier with use, it just takes time. So hows your new 45 shooting for ya?
 
Load and unload the magazine once per day for a week then go and shoot it a bunch. By that point in time it should be well on its way to being broken in.
 
Both my Kimber Solo and Kahr CW380 were murder to top off the mags, and to fully rack the slides. Age and arthritis doesn't help.

I fully loaded the mags, locked the slides open and parked them in the safe.

Took each to the range once a month-ish; in between range trips, left them in the safe just as stated above. Several months later, everything smoothed out nicely. Whether that was the 200-ish rounds or the 2-3 months with the springs compressed (or a combination of the two) I don't know, but I just bought an LCP and it is currently receiving the same treatment. :)
 
Uplula loader is the best thing since sliced bread. 3-400 rds for a day at the range is a lot of loading. I used to tear up the end of my trigger finger, no more, the uplula makes loading quick and easy.
 
Hard to load mags are not unusual.
Some of the higher capacity 9mm pistols are nearly impossible to fully load, even when ya' get mad.
 
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