Wilson Magazine Issues

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I recently got a Wilson Combat magazine for my Kimber 1911. Slide repeatedly fails to lock on last round. I regularly use a Kimber magazine that does not experience that problem. Any thoughts?

EDIT: A year ago I replaced the cheap plastic main spring housing with Wilson's stainless one, I noticed Wilson's was a few mm taller and I had to spend quite sometime filing it down in order to fit.

Starting to suspect maybe Kimber's specs doesn't quite match Wilson's.
 
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I purchased a new Wilson mag and promptly returned it after just 20 rounds or so, it also failed to lock the slide back. It has a plastic follower that wears out where it needs to make contact also the follower has a lot of stiction moving in the mag body that adds to the problem.

for the price of the mag and the reputation of the company they make a really bad magazine.
 
Wilson has excellent customer service, if you have any issues then you should call them. With that being said, I prefer tripp research mags and their upgrade kits.
 
When I was casting about for 1911 mags, 20 years ago, I bought one example each of the then-popular mags on the market.
The Wilson wouldn't lock the slide, so no Wilson mags for me.
There's no guarantee that any given "1911" mag is going to work in any given "1911" pistol, since the mags and pistols are developed independently.
Kim-Pro mags are of excellent quality, and I suspect they'll work in your Kimber.
 
1911s tend to be mag finicky. You can have two guns, both are good quality and reliable, but gun A only wants to run with mag A and gun B only wants to run with mag B. They may both work fine with mag C, but not with D.

Usually it's best to not buy a ton of mags until you find some you know your gun(s) like... then stick to those.
 
Locking the slide back is not the most important function of a magazine. Learn to count and then it's not an issue. Running your gun dry is not a good idea.
 
1MoreFord said:
Locking the slide back is not the most important function of a magazine. Learn to count and then it's not an issue. Running your gun dry is not a good idea.
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But on a firearm that should allow it, there is no reason not to have it. The whole counting notion is nice, but in high stress not always possible.
 
I ran a 1911 on duty for years (as well as teaching at FS with one). Only mag i trusted was Wilson.

If they dont work call Wilson up and speak to the guys there. Im sure they will sort out the issue
 
Let's not forget that Wilson Combat offers more than one type of magazine, and we don't know which type the OP has. Their "old" design, which they still sell because so many people like them, is the 47D. The "new" design (which is at least a couple of years old by now) is the ETM series.

It's kind of non-productive to discuss Wilson magazines without knowing which type failed to function properly.
 
good point, the magazine that failed me was the Wilson 47NX for 10mm. Not only did the slide not lock back but with 9 rds it would not seat into the gun. I bought mine on Brownells and returned it but wish now I would have called Wilson and given them a chance. I did put a polite but negative review on thier web page but no surprise it was never posted. If you look at their web page photo you can see the plastic follower's edge that trips the slide lock, because its plastic it rounds out quickly and does not engage the slide lock properly.

http://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-Magazine-10mm-Full-Size-9-Round-Standard-Base-Pad/productinfo/47NX/

As far as counting rounds... is rediculous, various 1911 magazines have been made for over 100 years that work fine there is no need to compromise on a name brand mag. that costs as much as Wilson is charging.
 
Locking the slide back is not the most important function of a magazine. Learn to count and then it's not an issue. Running your gun dry is not a good idea.
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Are you new to guns? Or ignorant to 1911s? Slamming slide on empty chamber is a no go. Learn critical thinking and you won't have anymore issues (not guaranteed).
 
Let's not forget that Wilson Combat offers more than one type of magazine, and we don't know which type the OP has. Their "old" design, which they still sell because so many people like them, is the 47D. The "new" design (which is at least a couple of years old by now) is the ETM series.

It's kind of non-productive to discuss Wilson magazines without knowing which type failed to function properly.
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Its the 7 round one with steel base pad, 608. As someone said earlier maybe Kimbers are finicky with magazines. Mine functions fine with Kimber mags but doesn't seem to like Wilson mags I'm guessing. Next time I go to range I'll see if my Ed Brown has the same issue.
 
Another Kimber tale of woe....any 1911 that won't feed and fire rounds from most any magazine, short of one with feed lip problems, is a 1911 that has other issues in need of a gunsmith's attention...I suspect that yours is one of the latter. Call the factory and see if you have any luck getting them to fix their, now your, pistol. Boutique magazines are not necessary for a correctly fitted 1911, duty or target....

The 4 Kimbers that I have experience with were, in Kimber's explanation to one of the owners, "so tightly fitted that 200-300 rounds are necessary to "break them in"...call when you've accomplished that "break-in" regimen". Two hundred rounds equates to about $82 locally, if you can find the ammunition.

Navistar, I'd send that 1911 back to Ruger or get someone knowledgeable with 1911's to critique your grip: you may be limp wristing...both of my Rugers will feed from any reasonably correct to gov't specs. mag.

Rod
 
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I've had similar problems with various mags until I realized that my left thumb was resting on the mag release. Possible?
 
I've had similar problems with various mags until I realized that my left thumb was resting on the mag release. Possible?
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A:Good question.
It is very possible that your left thumb resting on the magazine catch might have inadvertently and with enough resting pressure released your magazines.
 
Another Kimber tale of woe....any 1911 that won't feed and fire rounds from most any magazine, short of one with feed lip problems, is a 1911 that has other issues in need of a gunsmith's attention...I suspect that yours is one of the latter. Call the factory and see if you have any luck getting them to fix their, now your, pistol. Boutique magazines are not necessary for a correctly fitted 1911, duty or target....

The 4 Kimbers that I have experience with were, in Kimber's explanation to one of the owners, "so tightly fitted that 200-300 rounds are necessary to "break them in"...call when you've accomplished that "break-in" regimen". Two hundred rounds equates to about $82 locally, if you can find the ammunition.

Navistar, I'd send that 1911 back to Ruger or get someone knowledgeable with 1911's to critique your grip: you may be limp wristing...both of my Rugers will feed from any reasonably correct to gov't specs. mag.

Rod
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Highly doubtful, I've ran thousands of rounds already through this gun, haven't had any major issues. With Kimber magazines it works fine. I've had the gun for a little over two years now. All the springs on it has been replaced with Wilson's which is essentially from Wolff. Have also swapped out the plastic MSH with a stainless steel one also from Wilson.

I have to admit though, perhaps the Wilson magazine design may be the issue. When I was putting in the MSH from Wilson it was a few mm too tall, and I had to file it down in order for it to fit. So it is not out of the question that the specs from Kimber may not be similar to Wilson's.
 
I've had similar problems with various mags until I realized that my left thumb was resting on the mag release. Possible?
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I've actually had that issue on the Springfield XD series but my left thumb was resting on slide release, but that isn't the issue here.
 
Get a copy of Jerry Kuhnhausen's gunsmithing book on the 1911...it's the industry standard on the old war horse. His comments on magazines and reliability issues should help you. Rod
 
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