1911 9mm magazines, ramped or spacer?

[P89DCSS]

I recently purchased a RIA 5" 1911 in 9mm. (Single stack) It came with a single magazine, appears to be ramped. I've learned there are two magazine types for a single stack 9mm 1911, ramped and spacer.

Is there a preferred magazine type? The RIA 1911 only came with a single magazine and I want to order several but I'm not sure which type I should buy.

 

[JTQ]

Is there a preferred magazine type?

Whatever you can find that works.

I believe the rear spacer is more common. I believe all these big name players use the back spacer.

Wilson Combat https://shopwilsoncombat.com/9mm/products/364/

Tripp Research https://www.trippresearchinc.com/10...2.1888728638.1625776216-2053901149.1537292464

Chip McCormick https://www.cmproducts.com/Range-Pro-Full-Size-1911-9mm-10-Round-Stainless_p_361.html

CheckMate https://checkmatemagazines.com/product/1911-9mm/

 

[Walkalong]

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/9mm-1911-mags.807484/

 

[rbernie]

I'm a huge fan of the Springfield/Leatham ramped style (spacer in front).

 

[P89DCSS]

Thanks, @JTQ I'm able to find both types in 10rnd mags. The RIA came with a ramped mag. I think I have three more ramped mags coming from CM Products via Midway. I think I'll order some spacer mags and see what works best. I think the Metalform mags are spacer type but I better call and ask to be sure.

1911s have interesting twists. I'm used to buying mags for my various Rugers and Sigs from the manufacturer.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

I have 2 RIA 9mm 1911's. Besides what they came with. I use Mcgar mags. Never gave a thought about if their ramped or spacer. They work that is what matters to me. Interesting post.

 

[CapnMac]

Probably more related to the profile at the rear of the barrel you own.

Some 9x19 1911 use a barrel-attached feed ramp--a 'spacer' magazine is probably better with those.
Some 9x19 1911 use the feed ram pn the frame--a "feed ramp" magazine is possibly better in that case.

Your Mileage May Vary.

 

[JTQ]

The primary maker of the front rib design is Metalform. As mentioned above, they teamed up with Rob Leatham and Springfield to develop the design.

https://metalform.us/product/

 

[JTQ]

1911s have interesting twists. I'm used to buying mags for my various Rugers and Sigs from the manufacturer.

Yes, most 1911 makers don't produce their own mags.

The other key point, and why there is a spacer, either front or rear, is the 1911 is the same size gun, whether it is a 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .38 Super, 10mm, .45 Auto, etc. SIG did that briefly with the P220, but nearly every other maker uses a different size gun for the longer cartridges like 10mm and .45 Auto, and a smaller framed gun for the shorter cartridges like 9mm and .40 S&W (think G21 vs G17).

 

[JTQ]

If you've got some free time for reading, this series of articles by the late Todd Green, on his Springfield 9mm 1911 spends some time on his journey through the various 9mm mags.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/category/range-reports/springfield-1911-9mm

He ended up with the Wilson ETM mags.

 

[jmorris]

I forget who made these, Springfield used and sold them with their 9mm 1911’s 20 years ago. They look like the CMC ones today but I am pretty sure they were made by someone else.

Anyway when they stamped them, a burr was left inside (where the screw driver is pointing) and only 3 out of a dozen worked once I discovered and removed the burr on all of them they have fed great with FP, RN and HP bullets. Only other problem I had was the spot weld on my #2 mag (center) failed on the base pad after many thousands of reloads slamming it home, so I TIG welded it back on and it keeps on trucking.



The only spacer 9mm mags I used were double stack with a plastic spacer and they didn’t run. Removed the spacer and things were fine.

 

[Space Ghost]

My only 9mm 1911 is a Dan Wesson Guardian that came used with a single mag.

I went straight for the best, and ordered Wilson combat mags.

I've never had a single hiccup... with ANY ammo.

 

[bannockburn]

I have been using Colt 9mm. spacer magazines, in my Colt Commander .38 Super/9mm. conversion, for many years without a single problem with any of them.

 

[gc70]

I have only used Colt factory or Metalform (Colt OEM) magazines with spacers in my 9mm 1911s and they have all been reliable.

 

[sabbfan]

In my Ruger 9mm SR1911 I haven’t had an issue with Chip McCormick or Mecgar, the mecgar have a ramp and the CMC have a rear spacer. I’d buy a couple different ones to see what works, and if your lucky like mine you find the cheaper ones like the mecgar work fine and them you can buy a bunch of them.

 

[Rock185]

Since the '70s, I've had several 1911 type 9mm pistols. Most came with the spacer type magazines. Achieving reliability with these magazines, and the unramped type Colt barrels, was a challenge. Several years ago, I decided to try the 9-round Metalform Springfield front ramp type. Since then, the front ramp type is the only type I've purchased. Their reliability with any barrel ramp type, bullet shape, length, weight, etc. has been flawless. Just wish these had been available years ago when I was trying to achieve functional reliability with my Colts...

ETA: I take back the "flawless" part, just recalled I had a Springfield 9mm that was not reliable as received with any type of magazine I tried

 

[JTQ]

Several years ago, I decided to try the 9-round Metalform Springfield front ramp type. Since then, the front ramp type is the only type I've purchased. Their reliability with any barrel ramp type, bullet shape, length, weight, etc. has been flawless. Just wish these had been available years ago when I was trying to achieve functional reliability with my Colts...

I think the extractor and ejector may come into play with these different designs as the rear spacer moves the round forward in the mag and the front spacer moves it to the rear. I'm sure a company like Wilson Combat, that makes rear spacer mags, sets up their 9mm 1911's with this in mind and the ejector length and extractor shape and length are calibrated for these guns to their mags.

An RIA, like the OP has, may not be so arranged.

 

[Dudedog]

I have had good luck with these.
https://www.brownells.com/magazines/handgun-magazines/magazines/1911-9mm-magazines-prod84195.aspx
10 rounds and baseplate

They work well in my Springfield 9mm 1911s.

 

[12Bravo20]

My Rock Island 9mm 1911 came from the factory with a 9 round flush magazine made by MecGar and the several 10 round magazines I purchased directly from RIA are also made by MecGar. the 9 round mags have the spacer in the rear while the 10 round mags have the spacer in the front. Both types work fine in my pistol.

 

[Bottom Gun]

I prefer MecGar magazines.

 

[brunowbe]

I use Colt factory mags and Wilson Combat mags for my Colt competition, never had any issues with them.

 

[JR24]

The primary maker of the front rib design is Metalform. As mentioned above, they teamed up with Rob Leatham and Springfield to develop the design.

https://metalform.us/product/

Used these quite a bit with my DW Valkyrie in 9mm, ran without a hitch.

Every bit as well as the Wilson's I also had.

In fact, I'm pretty sure the DW marked mags, at least for the 8 round officer, are rebranded metalform.

 

[bullseye308]

I have 2 Springfield Range Officers both in 9mm. Whatever mags they came with worked and I found a guy on evilbay selling some that looked the same and ordered some. Apparently he lives right down the road from the checkmate factory and sells lots of them. So far I have run a couple thousand rounds through each mag with no failures. I believe he goes by the name of joes1911magmania and I have purchased 3 times from him. Hassle free and quality mags.