7 vs 6 round magazine for compact S&W .45s

[ruddy]

I have a TSW 4513 that came with two six round magazines. I see that seven round mags are available for it. Will these fit my pistol? Are they the same length? Thanks.

 

[fastbolt]

The "original" 4513TSW came with a cutaway profile of the grip which made it possible to have the 6-rd magazines fit flush with the grip. When that model was discontinued and the same grip profile was used with the 4516, the 7-rd magazines became the standard.

The 7-rd magazine is longer (similar to how the 8-rd round magazine used in the 4566TSW is longer than the 7-rd magazine used in the newer 4513TSW, because of the difference in grip length.)

S&W makes magazines for both, although the standard butt plate is now the curved one. They're still shipping magazines for the original 4513TSW, but I've been told the older butt plate is no longer being stocked as a replacement part. (I've seen new mags for the older model coming from the factory with the original style butt plates, but was told I couldn't order them separately any longer.)

If the 7-rd magazine is used in the original 4513TSW it will extend below the grip frame, unlike the 6-rd magazine, and there will be an "open" spot around the magazine bottom which is not filled in by the grip as it is on the newer model.

Here's a picture of an original 4513TSW (top, or left) and a new production 4513TSW, both with their original configuration magazines.


BTW, the Hogue grips seen on the original 4513TSW were never made that way by Hogue. I had to modify the standard grips to fit the cutaway frame.

 

[ruddy]

That definitely answers my question. Thanks.