Beveled mag well VS. S&A mag chute.

[1911 guy]

I've got a Springfield GI that's going to their custom shop for a CCW build. One thing I'm debating is whether to have them bevel the mag well or install the Smith & Alexander magazine chute since I'm changing the MSH to a flat one anyway. My question here is how much this mod addds to the length of the grip. I've looked around a bit but can't seem to find an answer.

Thanks for replies.

Just for grins, here's my list of "things to do".
Slide:
Mill dovetails, install 3-dot sights
Lower/flare ejection port
Fit and tune Ed Brown Hardcore extractor
Frame
Mag well or mag chute
Flat MSH if mag well
Ed Brown tactical (hate that word) ambi safety
Ed Brown tool steel hammer (bobbed), sear and disconnector
Beavertail grip safety with "insurance pad"

 

[MICHAEL T]

Anything you add to bottom of gun makes harder to conceal. That mag well is fine for shooting games a mag well bevel has served for many years. I don't have even that on my 1911A1's Why because chance of needing a reload in a SD is nil. And for 50+ years people carried and shot people and never needed their mag well beveled nor a surfboard for a grip safety or any of the other no so call needed changes.
Dehorn it ,trigger to about 4lbs and maybe a little better fixed sight.. That about all a carry 1911 needs. 3 of my 4 Colts are box stock one has ambi safety.

 

[1911user]

An S&A magwell adds maybe 1/4 of inch to the grip length and does help smooth out less than perfect reloads. The bigger problem will be any metal checkering on the back that will catch your shirt, jacket, etc. instead of letting them slide over it smoothly. Use a non-checkered MSH for concealed carry.

The ed brown parts are good. You may want to investigate ambi safeties on 1911s though. The brown ambi (and many others) make it harder to detail strip the pistol. There is another style that uses a modified sear pin (swenson? maybe) and looks like a better way to retain the right side piece.

 

[Rexrider]

My opinion is if your 1911 being made up for a carry gun, no need to install a mag chute. It will just at bulk and weight that is not needed. Also, with the chute, you will need to buy mags with the extended pad on the bottom. Adding even more length to the grip.

Nothing wrong with having the mag well beveled if you want to pay for it. Seeing all the work you are having done, you may as well get it done.

My SA came with a mag chute from the factory. It does make reloads much easier/faster. However the SA is not my primary carry piece (it takes care of the home front).

BTW, anything can be concealed with the right gear and clothing. It is just a matter of how much trouble you want to go through day to day.

 

[Chuck R.]

1911 guy,

There’s a way to have your cake and eat it too. Check out either the Les Baer or Ed Brown mag wells. Both are two-piece, so the “well” can be easily removed for CCW. I don’t think either one is too much more than the S & A

You could also have the S & A fit, get a spare mainspring and parts for your standard MSH. Drift out the pin and switch MSHs at will.

Chuck

 

[1911 guy]

1/4" does it, I guess.

Since the mag chute adds about 1/4", I think I'll go with the bevel. I appreciate the heads up on the two piece MSH/chute, but it's going to be my next carry gun. No need to get overly complicated.

As far as ambi safeties, my current carry gun has one. I find them indespensable when using cover. 50 percent of the time, you'll be shooting left handed. I don't like reaching over the pistol. I know it's a hot-button topic, just my opinion. As far as detail stripping, I can deal with the pain in the neck once a year.

Just to adress a comment, I'm more worried about Murphy's Law than I am statistics. I'll probably never need a pistol for SD, much less a reload. However, Murphy's law says that if I'm not prepared, I'll need it, have a malfunction, then need to reload when I'm up and running. So, I'll pay the 35 dollars at the shop for peace of mind.

Again, thanks for the quick replies.

 

[BrennanKG]

I have found myself coming down on the side of bevel only/no magwell. My Kimber has a magwell, for the last 5 or so years I've been shooting it with that set-up. But as I'm moving to a CCW(CHL) state and will be carrying it, I've remove the magwell and after a little practice, my reloading time/ease is largely unaffected.

I'm also planning on getting it bobtailed in case anyone has a suggestion as to a gunsmith for that work.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[redneckrepairs]

I have never found need for a magwell on a carry gun myself , a little bevel is nice tho .