[denfoote]

I bought a 1911 magazine today that has some strange markings (to me) today.

On the base plate, there are the inscriptions:

19200-: Which I assume is the serial number of the pistol that the mag was made for.

ASSY 5509694: Which I guess is the drawing number that the demonsions and tolerances that the mag was manufactured from.

MFR 1M291: Which could only be a code representing the manufacturer of the mag.

C'mon all you 1911 freaks!! Am I close?? Is there any way to devine who made my mag and when it was made??

Just curious!!!!

BTW, my 1911 shoots like a dream!! 2" groups at 11 yards!!!!! I may become a convert!!!

[Erik Jensen]

you might want to try asking this question over at 1911 Forums (http://www.1911forum.com/forums/)

[denfoote]

I tried to do that, but could not!!!!

[C.R.Sam]

MFR 1M291

1M291 is what is called a cage code. Identifies the contractor.

Guessin 19200 identifies the contract.

Goin to see if I can find the owner of that cage code.

Sam

[C.R.Sam]

Cage ID 1M291 1M291
Cage Name CHECK-MATE INDUSTRIES INC
Cage Address 777 MOUNT AVE

City, State WYANDANCH NY
11798-4434
Country

Phone 516-491-1777
SIC 3541
CAO S3309A

Date Entered 75011
Date Changed

Cage Replace
Woman Owned N
Association

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[denfoote]

Sam, does this mean that I have one of the original 1911 mags!!!!!! :eek:

[BluesBear]

Those are very common MilSpec mags. I have several just like it that I have picked up at various shows usually for about $6-$8 each. They work reasonably well.

[1911Tuner]

If those magazines have the early-release style feed lips... a dark, matte-blue finish, and have a spring that is too short, they are absolutely terrible. Beware of the red dog.

Tuner

[AK103K]

Other than my factory Colt mags, those USGI contract mags are the only mags that work reliably in all of my 1911's. I got a bunch of them in bulk awhile back for around $5/ea. Never had any kind of trouble with them.

[1911Tuner]

AK10, Genuine US GI magazines are very good, assuming that they
aren't beat up or deformed. The magazines that I was referring to are
NOT GI contract magazines. The tubes are thin and soft. The springs are
about 2 coils too short, and the baseplates fall off while you wait.

I see'em on ebay often. Caveat Emptor.

Tuner

[BigG]

Judging by the date code, mag was built somewhere after '75 - Vietnam era.

[C.R.Sam]

Sam, does this mean that I have one of the original 1911 mags!!!!!!

Depends on what you mean by original.
That mag was made to fill a government contract

Sam

[AK103K]

1911Tuner,
I think I know the mags your spearking of. The ones marked "Colt .45 Auto" on the bottom. I see them at the gun shows all the time, and I've seen them touted as GI. Your right, they are trash. The GI mags I got were all new in the original wrap and bear the contract # on the bottom. They are a deal when you can find them, especially if you by a bunch at once. Its nice to have mags that work in ALL your guns and not have to segregate them. So far for me, the GI mags do this. Even the high dollar Wilsons I got wont do that.

[1911Tuner]

AK10, those marked Colt .45 Auto aren't the ones I mean. They're pretty
bad, but not nearly as bad as the ones with the base marked:
19200
ASSY 5508694
MFR. 8R611

Those numbers may be counterfeit, but they were on a batch of
magazines that came out of Alaska from a guy whose username on
eBay is reddogg. These are the worst trash that I have seen lately.

They don't have the old "Hardball" style, late-release feed lips, and they
seem to be made of recycled Beenie Weenie cans.

Look for genuine US GI contract magazines. They're very good, and
about all some of them need for great function is a fresh spring.

Happy (mag) huntin'
Tuner

[C.R.Sam]

Cage ID 8R611 8R611
Cage Name KASCO METAL PRODUCTS
Cage Address

City, State BROOKLYN NY

Country

Phone
SIC
CAO

Date Entered 79098
Date Changed

Cage Replace
Woman Owned
Association

[C.R.Sam]

1911 Tuner...
Several possibilities.
Rejects that weren't shipped being one.
Lot of things happen tween stampin the numbers and final acceptance by ACLA or other soliciter.
I really do like to get my parts for 1911s still in the original packaging with acceptance marks. Sometimes we can't find em that way tho.
Sam

[Bill.45]

There were three Cage codes for the post W.W.II mags. Saw a list one time of the manufacturers but no longer have it. W.W.I mags were two tone with the top being silver where they were tempered. Colt had no marks and sub contractors had a letter on the top of the base lip indicating the company. They were used on into W.W.II and post W.W.I commercial guns. W.W.II mags are marked in the same manner on the top of the base lip with a letter. Colt mags were unmarked. Contract mags for the Colt factory were marked C- R, C-S, etc. showing the company mark and that they were made for colt.

[denfoote]

Thanks guys!! I'm relatively new at this 1911 thing. ;)