1911 Mags: 7 vs. 8 Round

[Panzerschwein]

Hey gang!

So I see that quite a few, if not most, 1911 mags these days are 8 rounders, one more than the traditional 7 USGI mags. So I have a question for all you 1911 gurus and shooters:

Which is better? 7 round mags, or 8 round mags?

One of the reasons why I ask is because I found out that the Marine Corps has decided to go with 7 round Wilson Combat magazines for their M45A1 CQBP. The reasoning for this is because they claim that is what the 1911 was designed around, so choose the traditional capacity magazine for reliability's sake.

Any truth to that? Are the 7 rounders in general more reliable than the newer 8 rounders?

What do you think guys? Thanks!

 

[FL-NC]

There's junk mags out there of every capacity. I wouldn't worry about "traditional" unless it was on a collector piece, like a NSN mag on a GI 1911A1 or a lanyard mag on a GI 1911. I've used 8's from Wilson and shooting star/ McCormick. Great reliability with both in every gun I tried them in. The Wilson mags seem like better quality in design and materials, but cost more.

 

[Zerodefect]

I've had the best luck with Tripp and Wilson 7 round flush mags. My reloads are 10 rounders.

 

[Old Dog]

Eh, I can't vote for either. I've only used Wilson Combat, Mec-Gar, Checkmate, Metalform, Springfield Armory OEM and Colt's OEM 8-rounders, and none of them have ever failed me. Whereas, I've had numerous brands of 7-rounders over the years that have been crap with spotty reliability, yet the WC, Colt, et al, have all been great.

Personally, I use 8-round Wilsons in my carry 1911s, and have never had issues.

 

[AZAndy]

My eight-round McCormick Shooting Stars haven't given me any trouble, but I don't know that they are more reliable in general.

 

[mgmorden]

8 round magazines are just as reliable IF they are the type that have the slightly extended base pad. I generally don't mess with flush fit 8-rounders and if I wanted flush fit would stick with 7.

As an aside though - particularly on guns that have the more modern upswept beavertail and Novak or Bomar sights, the flush fit mags just look "off". With those features I kind of expect to see the bumper on the mag.

FWIW - for my 8 round mags I generally use Wilson Combat ETM and have had no issues with them.

 

[BSA1]

Manufacturers seem to have worked out all of the problems with 8 round magazines. Spring design has come a long way since 1911.

If in doubt just load seven.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have a lot if 7 round mil-surplus mags I use at the range and 3 each Wilson and McCormick 8 round mags. I'm told the 7 round mags are more reliable I can't testify to that although it's possible. If you buy junk you will have a problem like most other things.

 

[bannockburn]

All of the 1911 mags I own are 7 rounders, so I can't speak to the reliability of the 8 round mags. Have never had a problem with any of my mags; mainly Colt factory mags and some surplus G.I. ones.

 

[MIL-DOT]

In my (admitedly not REAL extensive) experience, they've both been equally reliable. In my stainless Springer Mil-spec, the two factory 7 rounders, and the two 8-rounders I have (a Novak and a McCormick), have all been 100%.
In previous pistols, I've used Colt factory and mil-surp 7-rounders, also with nary a problem.
As said above, they seem to have worked out any glitches with the newer 8-rounders.

 

[TomJ]

I have a number of Mec Gar 8 round magazines and have never had a problem with them. Nothing wrong with my 7 round magazines either, but I'll take the extra round.

 

[Walt Sherrill]

It may be like saying which is more perfect -- if you're using quality mags to start with.

I think both the 7-round and 8-round mags use the same springs.

• If you believe that compression alone wears out springs, then the 7-round mags will be compressed more often than 8-round mags for the same number of rounds fired.
  
  
• If you believe that the degree of compress wears out springs, then the 8-round mags will be compressed farther than the 7-round mags for the same number of rounds fired, and if you leave the mags fully loaded, the 8-round mags may suffer a bit more.
  
  
• Keeping both mags fully loaded will stress the 7-round mags less -- but there's probably enough reserve power left in both type of mag that it may not matter that much.

There have been many discussions on the topic of spring life here and on other forums, so there's no reason to repeat it here. 1911 mags, be they 7 or 8 round mag versions, tend to be among the most reliable of any, if you start with mags of proven quality.

Me? I'd rather have an extra round, and am willing to replace springs if range time shows that a spring is starting to decline. Springs are cheap -- peace of mind or funeral costs aren't.

 

[buckhorn_cortez]

I think both the 7-round and 8-round mags use the same springs.

Depends upon the manufacturer. The Wilson springs are different between 7-round and 8-round magazines. That's one of the things Wilson did in designing the 8-round ETM magazine was change the spring design so that it is slightly tapered and nests as it compresses instead of stacking.

Then there are magazines with flat wire springs that are yet another design.

Whether springs are compressed or uncompressed doesn't matter to the spring. What wears out springs is working (compressing / uncompressing) the spring. Whether the magazine is stored loaded with the spring fully compressed, or empty with spring uncompressed will not affect the spring.

 

[JR24]

I like Chip McCormic and Wilson 47D 8 round mags for my 1911s.

I will carry 7 rounders sometimes to cut down on the grip length, especially in a bob-tail.

 

[stoky]

I've had pretty good luck using McCormic springs and followers in surplus housings.

 

[gotboostvr]

I use almost exclusively 8 rounders in multiple 1911's and don't have any issues with them.
I use checkmate and shooting stars for whatever it's worth.

 

[25-5]

Never had an issue with either.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Colt and Chip McCormick haven't had an issue.

 

[RA40]

7 and 8 rounders have worked in my two 1911's.

 

[nathan]

Wilson mags , no problem

 

[M90A1]

The 8 round mags made by ACT and purchased from Novak's, have been the most reliable mags I have ever used. Never had the best luck with McCormicks or Wilsons, regardless of their reputation. No big deal, just my experience with a variety of 1911s.

 

[lpsharp88]

My factory Springfield 7 rounders and 8 round McCormick's have all been 100%

 

[Fishbed77]

8-round Colt and Chip McCormick mags work flawlessly in my Colt XSE.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

My eight-round McCormick Shooting Stars haven't given me any trouble, but I don't know that they are more reliable in general.

That's what I use, and my experience is the same -- Chip McCormic magazines are dead reliable.

 

[CWL]

I buy Chip McCormick 8-rounders for all my M1911s, still use most of the 7-rounders that came with the guns, but I prefer the "8s". My round count for .45ACP is nearing 300k and I've not noticed any problems with any quality mag. (I have thrown away crappy mags as soon as I notice, none have been Chip or Wilson's)

If you stick with the quality mags mentioned here, you should be alright for practice and carry.