[Gunsmoker]

Does anyone have a picture of a 1911 with an 8 round magazine? I just want to see how much they stick out from the gun.

Are 8 round mags reliable?

[yongxingfreesty]

ive got 7rnd and 8rnd mags from wilson. nothing sticks out. same for the chip mc mags, 7/8 rnders same lenght.

http://i16.tinypic.com/332mse1.gif

http://i13.tinypic.com/33elged.jpg


dont have the gun anymore, but thats how it looks like

[bredda]

The only differences between the 7 and 8 round Wilson's are that the follower on the 8 rounder is "concave" to accept an additional cartridge. Also, the 8-rounder has that single hole at the bottom of the body to let you know it's fully loaded. You might be confusing the "sticking out" part with a bumper pad. You can get them without and they're flush with the mag well. Here's another shot of an 8-rounder.

As far as reliable, I have dozens of both and have never had problems with either.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v285/brutay/Gun%20stuff/SAChamp2.jpg

[Frandy]

Smith 1911s come with 8-round Meg-Car 8-round mags. They run flawless for me.
http://homepage.mac.com/franman/.Pictures/Handguns/Smith_1911_with_Altamont_walnutgrips_800.jpg

[Devon]

I'm at work right now, so no access to my pictures. My 8 round mags for my combat commander fit the same as my 7 round mags. If you search this site, there may be a pic or 2 of it here.

http://thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=26317&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1121026356

[Chuck R.]

An 8 round in a Government, and a 7 round in an officer's both with mag-wells and Tripp Cobra Mags:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/CFRHunter/X-Mas060937.jpg

Chuck

[Gunsmoker]

Why doesn't everyone use an 8 round mag?

[dafitch]

This is an 8-round factory Colt magazine- I believe aftermarket versions are also available that don't stick out at all. Also, I believe there are conversion kits available for 7-round magazines that will make them 8-round magazines by changing out the followers.
http://dafitch.com/images/guns/colt_1911/images/pc300026.jpg

[dafitch]

Also- absolutely reliable for me.

[hceptj]

I use 8 rd Wilson Combat mags and never have a problem with them.

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k225/hceptj00/lesbaer.jpg

[Walkalong]

A Chip McCormick 8 rounder in the gun with a short basepad. they have a longer one. Wilsons are the same way. You can choose from a couple or so lengths. I have two Wilson officers length mags for my CDP ultra with the long aluminum base pads on them as I have a magwell on the gun.
A Kimber Kim Pro Tac Mag is next to it. It is an 8 rounder but I can only put 7 in it. I have an officers length Kim Pro Tac Mag that holds 7 and it will actually hold 7. Hmmm.........

[GreenFurniture]

A typical view of my desk.


http://thecommander.smugmug.com/photos/65671033-M.jpg

[10-Ring]

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/10-Ring/P1030110.jpg
They're 100% reliable for me...even use them in my commander size 1911 too

[gazpacho]

This thread is really funny!

Everyone says 8rd mags fit flush just like the sevens, but then show pictures of 8rd mags with extended base pads! (Okay, dafitch didn't, but everyone else did.)

The reason that 7rd mags still exist is that there is a functional difference in spring tension between the 7rd and 8rd magazines, and some believe (or experience) that one type will function better in their gun than another.

My personal experience is that a decent 7rd mag will generally function better than a decent 8rd mag, but an excellent 8rd mag should function as well as an excellent 7rd mag. Excellent mags cost a LOT more than decent mags.

[Chuck R.]

gazpacho: Everyone says 8rd mags fit flush just like the sevens, but then show pictures of 8rd mags with extended base pads! (Okay, dafitch didn't, but everyone else did.)

The reason that 7rd mags still exist is that there is a functional difference in spring tension between the 7rd and 8rd magazines, and some believe (or experience) that one type will function better in their gun than another.


Who's the "everyone" that said 8 round mags sit flush?

I agree there is a tension difference between the 7 round mags and the 8 round mags with the same tube length. If you check out:

Tripp Cobra Mag's (My favorite)
Novak's
ACT's

You'll see that the tube body is longer to accommodate a longer heavier spring. The only 8 round mags with a standard tube length I've tried are the Wilson 47Ds and a couple of Baer Mags that came with my pistol. I've had feed problems with the Wilson's and failure to lock the slide back with the Baers.

The only 8 round mags I use now are the Tripp's.

Chuck

[wally]

Magazines are pretty much binary in function, either they reliably feed and lock the slide back on the last shot, or they don't. I'm far from convienced that higher $$$ = higher quality. I've enough mags to load 500 rounds and head to the range. Either they work and interchange amoung my various 1911s or I toss them if a cleaning followed by a spring replacement (if the cleaning didn't work) don't cure the issue. Don't think I've ever paid more than $15 of any of them, most were under $10 and many under $6. I've discarded very few mags over the years and most were junked initally after the first few outings, or eventually had the bottom plate welds crack -- I discard them when I see the crack. I ignored it first time I saw it to see what would happen -- it worked long enough for me to forget about it untill one day Boom!, sproing!, rounds on the ground, empty gun :) Obviously a bad idea for a carry piece but I was surprised how long it took for the crack to finally let go. Once was enough though :)

Eight round mags generally lack the "dimple" on the follower and therefore can lose control of the last round leading to a "push feed" that can be hard an the extractor. Hasn't been a problem for me, although the 8-rounders with the "Devel" split follower (like used in the flush fit Colt 8-rounder shown) has a failure mode that in my experience is lacking in the 7-rounders and non-flush 8-round designs. You can get a stovepipe like jam where the empty is stuck in the mag instead of ejecting, but he slide is locked back -- apparently the follower knocks the empty off the extractor and momentum jams it back partway into the magazine. Its rare, but I see it every couple of thousand rounds or so. It usually prevents the mag from dropping free but is easy to clear by just pulling the mag out.

--wally.

[possum]

i have experience with the 8rd chip mcormic magazines, and i have never seen any reliability issues with any of them. the 7, 8 or 10rd mags.

[hceptj]

lol...i didn't see "everyone" say they fit flush...just saw lots of pics and replies on which they prefer...

...the Les in the pic comes standard with an 8 rd mag (their version) but I buy wilson's for extras...

...technically, they do fit flush though, just have to take of the base...i like the look though so i leave them on...personal preference...:)

[Stachie]

Green Furniture, what is your profession? I have seen few desks displaying those items? Forgive me, if this is too personal.

[GreenFurniture]

Green Furniture, what is your profession? I have seen few desks displaying those items? Forgive me, if this is too personal.

What is my profession? I'm a media consultant and artist. And I own Coal Creek Armory, where that picture was taken.

[Walkalong]

I have a scope on my desk right now, but a pistol. Nope. Must be nice. :)