1911 magwell selection

[greyling22]

my brother in law just bought a ruger 1911 commander. this one https://ruger.com/products/sr1911/specSheets/6708.html

He would like to add a magwell to it and have me make him some grips. Grips are easy, but I don't have much experience with the 1911, though I do know my way around, lets call it advanced-amateur gunsmithing. I was thinking of getting something like this https://www.brownells.com/handgun-p...1-mainspring-housing-w-magwell-prod12752.aspx though of course the color won't match.

he would like the magwell to be a seamless transition like in the attached image. Is the smith and alexander my best bet? Is is more or less drop in, or should I expect to do a bunch of fitting? Is there an affordable option that would sort of match the black color of his gun?

 

[BBBBill]

...he would like the magwell to be a seamless transition like in the attached image. Is the smith and alexander my best bet? Is is more or less drop in, or should I expect to do a bunch of fitting? Is there an affordable option that would sort of match the black color of his gun?

There is often a mismatch between the bottom of the frame and top edge of the magwell. Manufacturers don't do a good job of being consistent with the bottom angle of the frame from brand to brand or, at times, even within one brand. The location of the mainspring housing retaining pin hole relative to the bottom edge of the frame can also vary more than you would believe. The S&A has been around for a long time and works OK although there are some newer brands on the market that are better finished and seem to fit a little better. You may still end up fitting either one because of the individual differences mentioned. You can call S&A to order one without the hole so that you can drill it to match the specific frame. You would probably get more help from the crowd over at the 1911 forum as there are many pro smiths who contribute there.

 

[greyling22]

Yes, he is aware that it won't be perfect. Just looking for pretty close. Perhaps I have cover some gapping with the custom grips...... I'm not a memeber on the 1911 forum. I can be if needed, but if I can satisfy my needs here I can save myself some time.

any specifics to one of the better magwell options you alluded to?

 

[IlikeSA]

If you do it right you can make the grips with a magwell. I have one I run on my duty weapon. A custom one would look cool.

Here is a link. https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...nnel-1911-government-commander-aluminum-black

 

[greyling22]

that would be a really simple and elegant solution IlikeSA, however, I'm going to be making his grips out of some walnut his dead grandfather left him, so there is a lot of sentimentality involved with the project. On the other hand, he's 22, and I'm doing this for free, so his standards aren't sky high.