1911 mag question

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Carter

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My wife is being nice and getting me a magazine for my 1911 for my birthday. I'm rather new to the 1911 field and am looking for some advice and info.

My sti spartan came with a metalform 8 round mag with a rubber base pad.
Much like this one:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/65...teel-matte-black-round-follower-ultramag-base
The metalform mag it came with runs flawlessly and I'd like to stick with that brand, but am open to other suggestions like mec gar.

But I found these metalform mags on cdnn for half the price:
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/19458rdblmag1.html

Besides the finish on the metal and the pad on the base, whats the difference? Is the more expensive one more reliable, durable, etc?

Thanks for your help.
 
I've used Wilson Combat for aftermarket mags the past few years and haven't had any problems. Plus they disassemble easily for maintenance.
 
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/650...-ultramag-base
The metalform mag it came with runs flawlessly and I'd like to stick with that brand, but am open to other suggestions like mec gar.

But I found these metalform mags on cdnn for half the price:
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/19458rdblmag1.html

Besides the finish on the metal and the pad on the base, whats the difference? Is the more expensive one more reliable, durable, etc?
The follower is different between the two mags. I also believe the first mag has a longer tube (regardless of the base pad) than the second one that is a flush fit mag.

Here is an article I always like to show guys new to 1911's when the questions of mags comes up. From the late Mr. Camp's blog.

http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/2010/11/what-is-best-7-or-8-shot-1911-45-acp.html

I like 7 rounders from CheckMate. I like to buy them from Top Gun Supply. Of course there are even more options to sort through there.

http://www.topgunsupply.com/check-mate-full-size-1911-7rd-magazines/
 
Flush fit tubes are designed for 7 rounds. To get 8 rounds in the same length tube compromises are made in both the follower and the spring.

One of the more famous flush fit 8 rounders are the McCormick Shooting Stars (Match Grade models are also flush fit). Lots of people like them.

One thing you often find with a flush fit 8 rounder is it is hard to insert a full mag into the pistol with the slide closed. There just isn't much room to compress that spring any farther. It often takes some time to get these mags to insert easily.

Wilson 47D and McCormick PowerMags have a slightly longer tube, but newer generation 8 round mags such as Wilson ETM's and Tripp CobraMags (and it looks like the first mag in your link) have a longer tube still. These mags are typically easier to insert into a pistols with the slide closed. Often they are also more reliable.

Per Mr. Camp's recommendation (and 1911Tuner's) I prefer 7 rounders.
 
Okay, looking at the 7 rounders at CDNN there are the SS 7 rounders for 12.99 and 7 rounders for 16.99...yet they look exactly the same.

I did read some review that said the person thought some of the metalforms on CDNN were not real metalform products.
 
The first thing you need to check is whether those 7 rounders are for a Government/Commander (full size) size pistol or for an Officer (compact) size 1911. In recent years, 8 round 1911 mags have become so common, most 7 rounders offered are for Officer size pistols. If you are new to the 1911 it's easy to get tricked by the difference.

Regardless of capacity, I won't buy any mag of unknown parentage. Even though I prefer 7 rounders, I'd rather buy a Wilson 47D or McCormick PowerMag 8 rounders over something of unknown origin from CDNN.

Magazines are a big deal to an autoloading pistol. If you have a crummy mag chances are good your pistol won't work no matter how good your pistols is.

On another forum, a poster commenting about how important good mags are to a 1911, said something along the lines of "I won't pay $50 for a 1911 mag and I also won't pay $10 for a 1911 mag. Most quality 1911 mags are found in the $20 - $30 range." I tend to agree. I've paid over $30 on a few occasions and not felt bad about it, and I've bought some good mags for less than $20, but when you're down in the $10 -$12 range, I think your rolling the dice on those mags working.
 
Thanks JTQ. I've been looking more on midwayusa ( I trust them a little more) and brownells.

Midway has the basic 1911 government metal form 7 rounder for $15 and the the previous listed one in the 20's. The 7 rounders have all gotten positive reviews and seem more legit.

Benefit to the 7 rounders is I can buy two. Where as with the 8 rounder I can get only one. Darn spending limits.
 
In a 7 round magazine, I'd highly recommend the Metalform with the rounded followers...at their price, it isn't even worth looking at cheaper magazines.

In an 8 round magazine I prefer the McCormick PowerMag to the Wilson 47D, just based on reliable feeding. If you are sold on Wilson, you'd need to go with the ETM to match the PowerMag. Don't underestimate the need for a longer magazine tube for reliable function in an 8rd mag
 
Thanks everyone. I ordered 2 of the metalform 7 rounders with the rounded follower from midway.

Hopefully they live up to the reviews.
 
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