8-round magazine follower issue

[jblackfish]

I recently switched to McCormick 8-round Power Mags (from WC 47D's) and like them a lot, mainly for their stronger spring and having a metal follower. However, the more I read about the devel follower (that comes stock with the McCormick) the more I was convinced that that should be changed to a better follower make the "perfect magazine." Soooo, I bought Checkmate's hybrid (CM45-F-S) which I discovered, upon installing, prevent the 8th round from being inserted. I can't tell if the cause is the front skirt length or the McCormick spring combined with the new follower.

I'm considering simply removing about 1/8" off of the front skirt but, before I do this, can anyone enlighten me as to whether this will work?

I need all 8 rounds for competition. The following is a picture of the Checkmate follower (top,) the original devel McCormick follower (middle,) and a Wilson Combat follower (bottom.) I pictured the WC follower because it too prevents the 8th round from going into the mag and it also has a long front skirt.

 

[1911Tuner]

The Wolff +5% Extra Power spring...the McCormick Powermag spring...won't work with CMI's Bull-Nose follower. It won't fit into the skirt. That's likely where your bug nests.

 

[jblackfish]

I think you're right. I compared a McCormick spring with the (now dinky looking) Wilson Combat spring - what a difference! Do you know of any follower with a skirt, I.e., a prevention to a forward-tipping follower, that can be used with the Powermag spring or do I simply go back to the devel followers that came with the magazines?

 

[1911Tuner]

It'd be better to call CMI and order an extra power spring compatible with the follower, and be sure to tell'em that it's not an extended length magazine.

 

[jblackfish]

It'd be better to call CMI and order an extra power spring compatible with the follower, and be sure to tell'em that it's not an extended length magazine.

That's what I'm going to do. I hope the Checkmate springs will work in the McCormick mags with that follower. I tried a WC 47D spring in the McCormick tube with the Checkmate follower and, although I could make the 8th round go in, it was a VERY TIGHT fit that I wouldn't be comfortable using. (Maybe I should've switched to the Checkmate mag in the 1st place. )

 

[jblackfish]

After speaking with Checkmate and without going into lengthy detail, let me say that they have "bent over backwards" to resolve my problem. In my experience (and this is not my 1st with Checkmate) they have shown me that their top priority is helping arrive at solutions for their clients. I very HIGHLY recommend Checkmate if you can use their products!