1911 Magazine poll.

What flavor of 1911 Mag do you prefer?

  • Total voters
    156
Status
Not open for further replies.
peacemaker45

peacemaker45

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2003
Messages
1,327
Location
Alger, OH
What flavor of 1911 mags do you use? Are there any that stand out as particularly good? Or particularly bad?

Personally I've had great luck with both Colt 7-rounders, and extended 8-rounders, like McCormicks, etc. I've had about the worst luck with the flush fit 8rounders.

~~~Mat
 
I've had few troubles with the cheap surplus 7-rounders or the 8-round flush fit CMC. While 90% or more of auto loader problems are really magazine problems, magazines are pretty much binary in function either they work or not. I toss the ones that don't if a replacement spring is not the cure. I've never had the need to try expensive "premium" 1911 mags.

--wally.
 
I didn't vote, as there wasn't really an option for what I use.

I only have one 1911, a Springer Mil-Spec. I replaced the magazine spring in the stock 7 round flush fitting springfield mags with 11# Wolffs. They function flawlessly.

These mags have the flat, dimpled follower like JMB's original design.
 
First choice: Colt 7-round magazines
Second choice and equally reliable: Wilson 8-round or 10-round magazines.
 
First preference is 7-round Colt-style magazines (metal dimpled follower and 11lb springs). The first thing I did when I received my XSE Government with the current 8-round magazines was to replace the short-legged, folded-leaf followers and reduced power magazine springs with standard design dimpled followers produced by Metalform and Wolff 11 lb springs.

After some personal testing I've also adopted a number of ACT-MAG 8-round magazines (both as provided by S&W and from Wolff) which have exhibited good functioning in my Colt XSE and SW1911SC. I haven't asked S&W which magazine spring they're using in their ACT-MAG magazines, but I noticed it seems lighter than those used in the ones sold by Wolff which I've been using (Stock No. 32770, in which Wolff states a +5% magazine spring is used).

I keep telling myself that I have to get around to trying the current 7-round magazines offered through Wolff, too.

In that vein I also haven't had the time to try any of the newer Tripp Research Cobra Mags. When I ordered a couple of the then-current production magazines from them last year I was told they were in the process of switching vendors for their magazine bodies. The explanation offered was that the new vendor was going to offer improved tolerances in the magazine body. I'm curious to see a couple of the newer ones.

I was also told that due to variations in the dimensions used by the many of the different manufacturers of 1911-style pistols nowadays, that it might be necessary to order one of their different magazine followers (different engagement dimensions in the follower's metal insert in relation to the particular pistol's slide stop lever engagement surface). I've had a few instances of the slide not being locked back on an empty Cobra Magazine, so there may be some merit in trying another of their followers.

I have a couple of cardboard boxes of 1911 magazines which I've accumulated, tried and stopped using over the years. Don't ask me why I kept some of them when I discarded and tossed so many more of them. ;) I still have some of the early Vega, Devel, Pachmayr and Shooting Star 8-round magazines, none of which eventually seemed to consistently demonstrate the sort of reliability I desired for my needs, especially when different JHP ammunition was being used. Ditto some Wilson magazines for both Government/Commander & Officers Model. I used to have a lot of them, but only have one or two of them left (found one I didn't realize I still had) ... and I finally reached the point where I didn't even feel like using them for range training anymore.

After having tried so many different magazines over the years I've reached the point where I don't have an 'inflexible' preference, or a particular inclination to 'brand loyalty' . I've come to accept that the potential for QC issues to arise with anyone's product is always going to be present. I examine and function-test each and every example I received from each and every manufacturer/vendor. Sometimes a magazine may require replacement of one of the components, or the magazine body itself may require replacement. This can happen ...

I grant that I've been influenced by talking to various manufacturers and vendors and listening to the problems they've encountered either during production, or when receiving components from still other manufacturers for use in their own 'name-brand' products. Things happen. :scrutiny:

I have little doubt I'll continue to examine and test 1911-style magazines as long as I own 1911's. ;)
 
Please explain this "dimpled" follower, preferably with pictures. Does this help feeding with hollowpoints?
Click to expand...

Everything you ever wanted to know about the dimple can be found at the below link, started by 1911Tuner:

http://forum.m1911.org/showthread.php?t=1959

John Browning put that little, odd looking dimple on the top of the follower for a reason. A lot of people say their mags with flat, dimpled followers don't work. From what I can tell, the problem is not with the dimple but with the weak, crappy magazine springs that are usually backing up that dimpled follower.

My setup is the same as fastbolt's, except I'm using Springfield Armory mags (which I think are made by Metalform).

Another good read:

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

In the top picture in the link below, the mags with the dimpled follower are obvious:

http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/gross-anatomy.html
 
Last edited:
Please explain this "dimpled" follower, preferably with pictures. Does this help feeding with hollowpoints?
Click to expand...

The better known Colt-type flat metal follower with a raised dimple on the top. The dimple helps prevent the last round from being displaced forward under recoil, when the magazine spring is at its least amount of tension (when there are rounds in it, of course, and not just empty. ;) ).

I found this link which shows a number of different 1911-type followers. Didn't read it. Don't know what it's about or who wrote it. I only chose to link it because the first image is the dimpled Colt follower I mentioned. I didn't feel it was proper to just use the image without linking to the article without the author's permission.
http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/following-up.html


Edited to add I was apparently writing and searching the web for an image at the same time the previous posting answered your question ... and providing the same link!?!:neener:
 
This dimple is of course not present in any of my magazines, hence the confusion. The lack of one is a very plausible explanation for some of the problems I've been having (failing to feed or even spitting out the last or next to last round, breaking off an extractor) with my interpretation of a 1911 from another maker. :rolleyes:

Another question for fastbolt:
The first thing I did when I received my XSE Government with the current 8-round magazines was to replace the short-legged, folded-leaf followers and reduced power magazine springs
Click to expand...
:confused: Why would they do that? Would you not need a stronger spring if an extra round is to be stuffed in there?
 
I like old school 7 rounders from Colt or Metalform or ACT 8 round extended tubes. ACT makes a wonderful mag, easy to load, easy to clean and mine have been utterly reliable for me so far but I'd prefer if they had dimpled followers.
 
Two types.

I've had good luck with both CMC CC mags (flush fit 8 rd) and Metalform 7rd mags. Got about a dozen of each and use them interchangeably.
 
This dimple is of course not present in any of my magazines, hence the confusion. The lack of one is a very plausible explanation for some of the problems I've been having (failing to feed or even spitting out the last or next to last round, breaking off an extractor) with my interpretation of a 1911 from another maker.
Click to expand...

I'm no gunsmith, but the conclusion you have drawn on the problems you are experiencing certainly seems quite plausible. From what I understand (please take this with a grain of salt :eek: ), the dimple acts as a backup for when the magazine spring ages/weakens. As tension is lost on the last round, that dimple helps hold that final round in place until the mag begins to release it so that the case rim slides up into the extractor hook as it should. As I'm sure you well know, the 1911 is a controlled-feed design, wherein the extractor grabs the case rim and actually pushes it into the chamber. If the mag spring is too weak and/or there is no dimple, the last round can jump out if front of the extractor, causing the extractor to snap over the case rim. At best, this will start to mess up the proper tension of the extractor. Or it can break it, as in your experience. I imagine that if a mag spring is weak enough, this can happen even with the dimple.

At a minimum, it sounds like your mag springs are too weak. Spitting out live rounds through the ejection port is a sure sign of this :p. Lots of guys, including fastbolt and I, like the Wolff 11 pound springs.

Another question for fastbolt:

Quote:
The first thing I did when I received my XSE Government with the current 8-round magazines was to replace the short-legged, folded-leaf followers and reduced power magazine springs

Why would they do that? Would you not need a stronger spring if an extra round is to be stuffed in there?
Click to expand...


That's the kicker. Often, in order to fit 8 rounds in a magazine, particularly the flush fitting types, the manufacturer often "half-butts" it by cutting the magazine spring shorter, which of course weakens it.

And from my very limited observations, the 7-round mags with dimpled followers from Colt and Springfield are very nice, but they come with crummy springs in them that wear out very quickly. Hence why those that carry them often swap out the springs with Wolffs.

I only chose to link it because the first image is the dimpled Colt follower I mentioned. I didn't feel it was proper to just use the image without linking to the article without the author's permission.
Click to expand...

Right you are, fastbolt. I didn't think of that. I'm going back to put a link in my post in place of the photo.
 
Despite naysaying from several people I greatly respect (who prefer the dimpled follower GI mags), I prefer the Wilson 47D with a low profile base pad (actually a 47DCB, but I put the low profile base pads on myself). I have simply had great results with these mags in any 1911 I stuck them in. I don't really care why, I just know they work.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Justin
  • Locked
7rd vs. 8rd 1911 magazines...
Replies
23
Views
2K
dsk
D
Panzerschwein
  • Locked
  • Poll
1911 Mags: 7 vs. 8 Round
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
Walt Sherrill
W
S
  • Locked
  • Poll
Which magazine is more reliable
Replies
20
Views
1K
goon
G
I
  • Locked
New singlestack high capacity magazines for 9mm 1911
Replies
1
Views
435
Trebor
T
peacemaker45
  • Locked
  • Poll
Fully loaded, or stripped down? 1911 poll
Replies
17
Views
1K
Eyesac
E
Back
Top