[..]

Which are better and why?

[Gordon]

I have NEVER seen a 47D not work, even dirty. I cannot say that about powermags , I use the 10 rd powermags anyway though.

[wally]

CMC. Why pay more? Mags are pretty much binary in function -- either they feed reliable and lock back on the last shot, or they don't. IF the CMC don't work, only then would I try something more expensive, but I'd try a Mec-Gar before spending ~$30 for a Wilsons. Never needed to in any of my 1911s.

Mostly I shoot a motly assortment of "GI" forgeries with a few old genuine GI thrown in with the CMCs and 8-round Mec-gars. I've enough mags to pre-load 500 rounds when I head to the range. Most recenlty even the ~$6 GI forgeries from Sportsman's Guide have worked very well for me.


OTOH if you only want one or two extra mags nothing wrong with just getting a pair of Wilson's and be done with it, but like everything else, a few guns don't like the Wilson's mags for whatever reason, so it'd be safest to try one first.

--wally.

[..]

Price difference for me is about $7. I'm tempted to get CMC's, but I hear such good things about Wilson's. Wilson's lifetime warranty sounds good too.

[10-Ring]

I was introduced to Wilson mags when I first started shooting 1911's and I have yet to see one fail for any reason...go w/ the Wilson mags, they rock!

[LiquidTension]

I've been using the same 3 CMC power mags since I got my 1911 5 years ago. The only problem I've had with them was actually the fault of the slide stop, and once it was replaced they've been flawless. They always lock the slide back, always feed correctly. I'll pick up some Wilsons eventually, but for now the $9 CMC mags run fine. Even at dealer cost, you can get 2 CMC mags for the price of 1 Wilson 47D.

[HSMITH]

If you get the Wilsons put a good spring in them right away, after that they are a good mag. The CMC Power Mags are ready to go right out of the package. I actually prefer the CMC mags.

[Technosavant]

What works with YOUR gun is the better magazine. CMC PowerMags work fine with mine, so that's what I use. I haven't tried the Wilsons, but some guns just don't like them.

There is no such thing as a model of 1911 magazine that works 100% in every single 1911.

[isa268]

i voted other. you should look into the Tripp Research Cobra mags.

http://www.cobratripp.com/

[m1match]

My experience with 47Ds are the springs are rather fragile and need frequent replacement and the plastic follower wears to the point they won't reliably lock the slide back. If springs are fresh and the follower good 47Ds are great mags, but the Chip McCormick Power Mag is more durable, even more so if you install the Super 7 follower and spring kit from Tripp Research. I also really like the Tripp Research Cobramags, for carry they stick out the bottom more than CMC Power Mags.

[HankB]

A fairly high percentage of local competitive shooters - well into double digits - who tried Chip McCormick mags had problems with them, and swore off them. Most telling was one instance I saw where the shooter fired a round or two and the flooplate of his McCormick mag simply fell off, dumping the spring, follower, and some unexpended rounds in the dirt.

Rarely does a Wilson mag cr@p out.

[Black Majik]

I use em' both for range work and USPSA, both work flawlessly. Its really hard to go wrong with either, but I realize... "why pay more when both work as they're intended to."

I'm not really partial to either, they're just magazines. They function like they're suppose to. And they both hold the same amount of rounds

[AndyC]

My experience with 47Ds are the springs are rather fragile and need frequent replacement
What springs do you replace them with? And do those in turn need to be replaced themselves frequently?

[Chuck R.]

I'll throw another vote for "other".

I really like my Tripp Cobra Mags. Built from the start to be 8 round mags by using a longer tube.

Chuck

[..]

Thanks for the help. I'm gonna try a couple Mccormick power mags next order. I'm sure the Tripp cobra mags are nice, but too pricey. Especially if my gun will run with Wilson or Mccormick mags.

[jman74]

I'll agree the Cobra mags are the best. Use those for my .40 Pricey though. I use CMC for my .45's and have never had any issues. Besides the 10rd CMC is had to beat for the price.

[MadFat]

No one seems to be discussing anything about the magazines. Everyone is just giving their opinions. I know it's a poll, and all, but I'm directly in the middle of this decision, myself, and I'd be interested in people giving points to support their opinions.

For instance, I have a Kimber TLE II. I've heard (and seen pics) that CMC mags can damage guns with aluminum frames. I don't know if this is true, and being new to the 1911 scene, I don't understand the mechanics behind magazine construnction/follower function and such. I know it seems like it would be simple, but there are obviously subtle aspects of it that require some knowledge, otherwise any magazine you grab would work for every gun.

I'm leaning towards Wilson magazines, since they've got such a wonderful reputation, but at the same time, I know that reputation isn't everything, and I hate the idea of paying a lot of money just for bragging rights when I whip out my expensive magazines. I'd rather pay for function.

So what can you 1911 gurus tell me about how the magazines function, differences in construction and such, between these magazines? I don't care about price (as long as it is based on quality, not bragging rights, as stated above) because I think it's goofy to not buy the best quality equipment you can possibly afford, just to save some money. I want a magazine that will function when I have to use it to defend myself, and I don't give a damn if I have 50 $10 magazines for the range, as long as I have a few of the best to use when the chips are down.

So don't get me wrong, I value everyone's opinion on the subject, because that's what lets people know about options they may have not even heard of yet (I'd never heard of the Cobramags, till this thread...), but I know there's more info floating about in you guys' heads that you're not letting us in on.

[..]

Woh, old thread. I've gone with the Wilson 47D's and they've never failed me or a friend of mine that has a small fortune in 1911 mags. If they ever do, just send them back. Can't ask for more than that.

My friend, who is a huge 1911 fan, also likes the Kimber Tac mags. They've run fine in all his 1911's.

[longeyes]

I like both the Wilson and McC. Power Mags. I believe the PowerMags are a bit more robust, though (springs).

I plan to try a couple of Tripp's to see what the hooha is all about.

[Chuck R.]

Check out:

http://www.trippresearch.com/products/products.htm

For Cobra Mag info, there’s some technical information on one of the pages. I use them in my:

Colt Gold Cup
Les Baer Concept V
Les Baer Stinger (officers size frame)

They work well in all 3 of my 1911s whereas Wilson 47Ds did not. They are designed to be either 8 or 7 round (for the officers) capacity from the start by employing a longer mag body with a base pad that envelopes it. This allows room for a stronger/longer spring.

I’ve now got over 9K through my Baer using 8 Cobra Mags shooting 200grn SWC handloads. The mags are excellent and work as advertised, drop free, and clean easily.

Chuck

[Snake Eyes]

I know Tuner and Fuff are hell on non-standard magazines, but I've got to say I've never had a problem with CMC. Maybe I'm just lucky but, across 8 different 1911's, never one problem.

I'm gonna keep using them.

[Zonamo]

For instance, I have a Kimber TLE II. I've heard (and seen pics) that CMC mags can damage guns with aluminum frames. I don't know if this is true...

It's true. The metal followers on CMC (same follower on stock Kimber mags) will damage feed ramps on aluminum frames. Fortunately I caught the problem early on my Kimber Compact and switched out the springs and followers with Wilson spring kits. The CMC mags with Wilson followers have worked flawlessly in the Compact, as have Wilson mags.

As to the Wilsons and CMCs in general, I did have problems with 8-round mags feeding first round in a full-size 1911. Even old GI mags worked fine, but both Wilson and CMC 8-rounders were finicky unless they were downloaded to 7 rounds. Changing springs on both the pistol and the magazines didn't help so I ordered some of Tripp's Cobra mags (Thttp://www.trippresearch.com/indexii.htm). They have worked flawlessly.

The Cobra mags are the only ones I load up for CCW now, and I went ahead and changed out the springs and followers in the 8-round mags with Tripp kits. It makes them 7 rounds but I have never had a problem with any mag in that 1911 since.

Yes the Cobras are a little more, but with this particular weapon, they are the only 8 round mags I have full confidence in.