Kimber Pro Crimson Carry 2 aftermarket mag, which one?

I originally had some feeding issues with my batch of mix-n-match magazines in my Kimber Pro Eclipse II, I tried a Chip McCormick PowerMag and all my problems went away... so now I have 12 of them. I picked up a very lightly used Pro Carry II last year, the Chips have worked well in it, too.

I think MecGar magazines are the best value. I use them in my Sig pistols and my 1911s.

I generally like Wilson 1911 mags. I prefer the 7 round (full size) 47 mag. If you act fast, they are on sale right now for Independence Day. There are a lot of good mags available (and an awful lot of bad ones), but choosing the Wilson 47 is so easy, and they work consistently well, I just mostly buy them these days.

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/1911-M...ize-7-Round-Standard-Base-Pad/productinfo/47/

You'll get a lot of recommendations for the 8 round 47D, but it really is the worst magazine in the Wilson line-up (everything is relative, it is a good mag, but not as good as their 7 rounder, and not as good as the ETM). If you want an 8 rounder from Wilson get one from their ETM line-up. They have a longer tube and designed for 8 rounds rather than a modified 7 rounder.

https://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP/products/378/

As mentioned above, McCormick PowerMags are a good choice for 8 rounders. It is the same length as the Wilson 47D, but it's got a better spring and follower for the shorter tube. I'm not that familiar with the Kimber line-up, I realize the "Pro" is a 4" gun, but don't know if it is an aluminum frame. If it is aluminum, avoid the PowerMag and choose the PowerMag +, if you want to stay with McCormick as the PowerMag + is less likely to ding the aluminum frame of a 1911.

https://www.cmcproducts.com/POWER-MAG--8RD-45ACP-M1911-MAGAZINE_p_193.html

McCormick also has a new longer tube 8 rounder with enhanced feed lips, the Railed Power Mag or RPM.

https://www.cmcproducts.com/8RD-RPM--RAILED-POWER-MAGS_p_211.html

CheckMate is another mag I use a lot. I generally buy them from Top Gun Supply. I like their 7 rounders (this is the one I prefer https://www.topgunsupply.com/check-...f-removable-base-full-size-1911-magazine.html though they have a lot of good options), but I don't care for their standard length tube 8 rounders, though I suspect their extended tube 8 rounder would be fine.

https://www.topgunsupply.com/magazines/1911/check-mate.html

Tripp Research is another well regarded maker. http://www.trippresearchinc.com/45acp/

JTQ said:

I realize the "Pro" is a 4" gun, but don't know if it is an aluminum frame. If it is aluminum, avoid the PowerMag and choose the PowerMag +, if you want to stay with McCormick as the PowerMag + is less likely to ding the aluminum frame of a 1911.

Click to expand...

It is an aluminum frame. What's the issue with the standard mag and an alloy frame?

I have a Kimber Pro 2 and have used Kimber, Colt, and Wilson mags in it without any problems. I have 8 round Wilson 47D's and 8 round ETM's. Both work equally well. The ETM's are a little nicer.

I use the Wilson's in both of my 1911's and have about 41K rounds through them now. I have replaced the springs and followers once on these mags. I have Mec-Gar mags for my CZ and the Wilson's are a nicer mag than the Mec-Gars but the Wilsons cost twice as much.

Charlie98 said:

It is an aluminum frame. What's the issue with the standard mag and an alloy frame?

Click to expand...

The Devel follower as used in the McCormick Shooting Star, Match Grade, and PowerMags (and Ruger's old 8 round .45ACP mags, P90, P97, P345) is known to jump forward and slightly out of the tube after the last round. It can ding the feed ramp of aluminum framed guns (the Ruger guns had a steel ramped barrel, so the issue is only cosmetic on the inside of the gun for them), and the reason McCormick developed the PowerMag + follower that stays in the tube better.

I'll have to go take a peek at that...

The Wilson and Tripp followers are often recommended for aluminum framed 1911's as they won't leave the tube, and even if they could, they are polymer (mostly in the case of Tripp's followers) and couldn't cause damage even if they do leave the tube.

CheckMate developed their own CheckMate Patented Follower (CMF) also known as a "bullnose" follower in some circles. It is similar to the Devel follower (the follower itself is a spring), but has a front leg that prevents the follower from leaving the tube.

Wilson mags are excellent but also cost a lot. I have never had a problem with Chip McCormick mags.

If you like your Kimber and you are having no problems with their magazine you can buy Kimber Pro mags on their site for $32.95, the same price as Chip McCormick mags. They also sell plans base mags for $23 to $25 too.

For the range I bought surplus military mags for only $7 each and they work flawlessly so you might look for those in your next trip to the gun show. They had military markings on the paper wrap.

For an alloy framed Kimber, stick with Wilson Combat or Checkmate. Chip McCormick mags are good, but all of the McCormick mags that I have allow the follower to tilt forward enough that I'd be concerned about the rather pointy front of the follower gouging the feed ramp.

ArchAngelCD said:

... you can buy Kimber Pro mags on their site for $32.95, the same price as Chip McCormick mags. They also sell plans base mags for $23 to $25 too.

Click to expand...

Kimber KimPro Tac-Mags are a CheckMate product. I don't think you can get that odd baseplate/pad combination of the KimPro Tac-Mag in the CheckMate line-up, but you can get the same spring, follower, and feed lips without the Kimber stamp, as a CheckMate mag for a lot less.

CheckMates from Top Gun Supply https://www.topgunsupply.com/magazines/1911/check-mate.html

That's good info JTQ, thanks.

Try metalform. I think they make mags for Kimber.