I can share the following. I have a few Colt 8 round stainless as well as Colt 7 round stainless. The magazines are the same size and the 8 round Colt uses a different follower. When I use the term Colt Magazines I am referring to Colt manufacture.
The 8 round Colt magazines do not extend beyond the magazine well in any of my standard size Colt 1911 guns, both magazines sit flush.
I have a few 8 round Wilson Combat 1911 magazines laying here and the only reason they extend slightly beyond the magazine well is because of the bumper design. As to who makes the best? I like Colt, Wilson Combat, and several others. I have gotten a few bum magazines from just about everyone who makes them and when I get a bum magazine or a magazine which will not perform in all of my guns I get rid of them. This way I know what I have works in any of my guns.
I won't bother to debate which 1911 is the best or if Colt is better than the next guy. I happen to like the Colt guns with a preference for the Series 70 guns, especially the Series 70 Gold Cup guns as well as Series 70 in 38 Super and 9mm.
I suggest you buy the gun that suits you best and you are comfortable with. Personally as to newer guns the new release Series 70 guns are nice as well as the Combat Elite. I really like the latter, Combat Elite. Anyway, matters not what I like, get what trips your trigger.
Ron
