Who makes the best 1911 magazines?

[JB Books]

I picked up a couple of series 70 Government Models. The mags were total crap. In going through my spare mags (about 10), half of them were junk. Any advice on:

1. Where to get REAL Colt Factory mags?

2. Quality blued after market mags?

Thanks!

 

[Jolly Rogers]

Brownells has factory Colt mags. Buy them anyplace else(gun show etc)and you may get counterfeit mags. If you see the Colt mags at a good gun shop ask where they came from before you commit to buy. Checkmate Industries makes OE mags for Colt and you can buy direct from them.
www.checkmateindustries.com/handgun.htm
Joe

 

[Taffnevy]

Tripp
http://www.trippresearch.com/CVS/products/1911/1911.html

 

[rbernie]

Colt. They are the only ones that you can buy that come with the appropriate tapered feed lips.

http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/index.html

 

[ulflyer]

Some good info on mags in the above sticky by 1911Tuner.

 

[AirForceShooter]

Wilson Combat 47D.
Always been reliable for me.

AFS

 

[CDH]

Wilson Combat 47D.

Yup, +1

The 47D's have been the standard of reliability for quite a while.
All my Colts are stuffed with either the original Colt mags (w/Wilson kits installed) or the 47D's.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I have several Colt brand mags that run flawless in my 1911's. I have some old Randle mags that also work great. My Kimber mags run fine too. But of the blued ones, none are quality blue. I think they're Parkerized. I've heard nothing but good about the Wilson 47d mags but with the pad, they won't look like original mags for your series 70 pistols. I think the last set of good Colt mags (SS) I got, was from a member here on THR.

-Steve

 

[mjkten]

I bought a couple of Chip McCormick mags from the local gun shop, and they are almost indistinguishable from the Colt factory mags. Although the Wilson mag is considered the gold standard of 45 mags, they are a bit pricey.

 

[schmeky]

I just ordered some "Hybrid" mags from Checkmate. I know 1911 Tuner holds this manufacturer in very high regard, but not necessarily the hybrid though.

The Hybrid is designed, according to Checkmate, to feed HP's and SWC's smoothly. The top round sits higher, providing a straighter line into the chamber. I'm not endorsing these, just saying I have some on order.

 

[Quiet]

+3 on Wilson Combat.

Chip McCormick mags if you are on a budget.

 

[CWL]

I have been recommended Chip McCormick Power Mags by several gunsmiths over that of the Wilson Combats. Wilson's have weaker springs, be careful when using the 8-rd mags. There have been feed lip area failures with Wilson mags.

Tripps Cobra also are highly regarded by shooters, but I've never needed to spend the additional $$ for Tripps when my Power Mags have functioned flawlessly.

Note: I am an owner/customer of both Virgil Tripp and Wilson Combat, in addition to Chip McCormick and I have no agenda against any of them.

 

[Ken Rainey]

Either the factory Colt 7rd (hybrid) magazines or the 7rd hybrid made by CheckMate, next in line would be the 7rd MetalForm with a dimpled follower or a Springfield Armory 7rd with the dimpled follower (also made by Metalform, I believe but they have less taper in the feed lips). I believe that CheckMate and maybe Metalform also still make the military style 7rd "hardball" magazines with just tapered lips and of course, the dimpled follower.

 

[dcoop]

Another vote for Chip McCormick Power Mags

 

[1911shooter]

The Wilson combat 47D's are the best 1911 magazines made period end of story.

 

[rduckwor]

+4 Wilson Combat.

RMD

 

[Frog48]

I have quite a few of the Chip McCormack 8-round mags, and they're great.

 

[Atarian]

I have never had a problem with new/old stock USGI surplus mags. The only other mags I've tried were Wilson Combat brand with a big heavy brass weight at the bottom. I bought a copier box about 1/4 full of various mags at an auction because it had some WW2 P.38 mags in it, and those were at the bottom. Sold most on GB. Not sure what the weights were for - like I need my 1911 to be any heavier.

I should add that I only shoot 230 gr. FMJ.

 

[JB Books]

Thanks for the info and help!

 

[jjohnson]

+1 on Chip McCormick's Mags

Yep, no failures yet, about 15 years' worth of use on mine.

 

[DeepSouth]

#1: Wilson

#2: Chip McCormick

#3: A tie.... Novak & Checkmate

Just stay away from the 8 rounders.....no matter who makes them.
John M. Browning made a 1911 to use 7 rnd mags for a reason.

 

[Ken Rainey]

"John M. Browning made a 1911 to use 7 rnd mags for a reason."

Yep, and he also put a dimple on the follower for a reason!