I just picked up a new mag for my Colt 1991A1 .45. It's a Wilson SS 8 rnd flush fit. It's the one with the plastic bottom, it does stick out a bit which is a bit of a let down but that's not the real problem. Problem is when I load up 8 rounds in the mag, it seems harder than normal to get to lock in and it's really hard to push in the mag release button. If you push really hard, the mag will eject, but you need to use both hands. It's REALLY bad with 8 rounds in the mag and 1 in the chamber. Did I get a defective mag?
Colt 1991A1 Wilson Mag Problem
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Jed Carter
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I have the Wilson Combat ETM mags for my STI 9mm and you have to ram them home to get them to seat. They will not work in my Colt Mk IV Series 70 9mm at all. A good alternative to the Wilsons are the Tripp Research magazines (made by one of the originals at STI). http://Trippresearch.com
10-96
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If your slide is forward when you seat the mags- that is understandable and common with a couple different magazines (clips dangit!) that I have. What does it do when you seat a mag with 7 rnds or with 8 and an open slide?
Good magazines will have a bit hang out the bottom because they were designed to also fit into pistols with an added beveled magazine well.
Just shoot that mag a bit and let the springs loosen a tad so it won't feel so tight. Also, this should help you to properly & forcefully seat the magazine during loading by giving it a hard tap on the bottom of the mag to secure it properly, I've seen plenty of mags drop out the bottom during live-fire exercises because someone didn't seat the mag properly (been guilty myself).
BTW, that's not a "mag release", that is a "slide stop", at least it is on a M1911. Look-up "slingshot slide release" and try that method to release your slide. I prefer using the sling shot and it also builds muscle memory for other motions like tap rack & bang malf drills.
Just shoot that mag a bit and let the springs loosen a tad so it won't feel so tight. Also, this should help you to properly & forcefully seat the magazine during loading by giving it a hard tap on the bottom of the mag to secure it properly, I've seen plenty of mags drop out the bottom during live-fire exercises because someone didn't seat the mag properly (been guilty myself).
BTW, that's not a "mag release", that is a "slide stop", at least it is on a M1911. Look-up "slingshot slide release" and try that method to release your slide. I prefer using the sling shot and it also builds muscle memory for other motions like tap rack & bang malf drills.
It's doing this because it's an 8 rounder. 8 round 1911 mags were invented so that IPSC gamers could get one more shot before reloading. (I know because I used to be one) Buy a good 7 rounder and don't look back. Getting that one extra round in there causes more problems than it solves. The spring is getting overworked and the follower is getting smashed. Especially if you "ram it home".
Well, I took one round out of the mag and it seems to make all the difference. So now it's in the night stand with 7 in the mag and 1 in the chamber instead of 1 chambered round plus 8 in the mag. So is the consensus that in time and with use the mag spring will break in so that I can go back to keeping 8+1 in the pistol without the hard mag release? Thanks for all the comments!
The spring is not going to "break in" to the point that these problems will go away. The spring in a fully loaded 8 round mag is squashed into a little tiny space in the bottom of the magazine. It is overcompressed. It will have a shorter life as a result. The follower has to fit into that space also. The gun and the mag were originally designed as a 7 round platform. There is no way around this unless the magazine is made longer. A 7 round mag is all you really need. If you need more practice your mag changes.
silversport
Member
I have had the very same issue with an 8 round Wilson and my Colt Government XSE...all other mags I have tried (Tripp Cobra, MetalForm, Shooting Star, Kimber (Shooting Star), Colt, Springfield Armory (MetalForm), etc.) have worked fine but I can't get the Wilson to lock in and then it is difficult to get the magazine to release...some just don't work well with others...as mentioned above and by you...loading to 7 rounds helped but I won't use the Wilson in my Colt...
You've also discovered (as did I) why no one on the internet can tell you who makes the best magazines...
Bill
You've also discovered (as did I) why no one on the internet can tell you who makes the best magazines...
Bill
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The problem is not 8 round mags in general. The probelm is that specific type of mag in that gun. People use 8 round mags all the time without issues.
If you want to use that mag you could probably take a little dremel bit and take a tiny bit of metal of the top of the hole where the mag catch seats. Make sure that there are no burrs or anything after you are done, you may need to polish it a little. This will allow the mag to sit a little lower.
If you want to use that mag you could probably take a little dremel bit and take a tiny bit of metal of the top of the hole where the mag catch seats. Make sure that there are no burrs or anything after you are done, you may need to polish it a little. This will allow the mag to sit a little lower.
Sir Aardvark
Member
I have some Chip Mccormick 8-round mags that work flawlessly.
Not all mags are built the same.
Not all mags are built the same.
It's not a question of whether or not an 8 round magazine will work or not, they do but they won't be as reliable over time as the springs are being overworked and they require the use of a special follower that is able to compress slightly when that 8th round is loaded. (basically another spring) I tried them for a few years and went back to the original 7 round design. In over 15 years of competition not one of those eight mags has ever failed even one time. Browning knew what he was doing.
Colt 1911 Model 70 Mag Problem
This is a late post but I found the thread in a search and I have the exact same problem with my Series 70 and Wilson Combat and Chip McCormack 8 round mags. The gun has been customized and is used for Single Stack and CDP with 200 grain LSWC. I should add if it matters that it dates from Vietnam years and started as my sidearm out of the box. The custom work is only a couple of years old (trigger job, barsto barrel, slide tightening, fiber optics with bomar sights, extended mag release, mag well, etc.). Essentially all of the internals have been replaced. The gun is very accurate and with reliable after playing with loads. When I load a mag with the slide closed I have to bang the Wilson (not ETM) in for it to seat and substantial pressure is needed on the mag release to eject it. The McCormack is even worse. Take out a round and they both seat easily as do all of my 7 round mags. But If I insert either 8 round mag with the slide open it will easily seat and release. Had some issues in a match yesterday with the Wilson. Have not tried Tripp, Mec-Gar or Les Baer. The loss of the extra round hurts in single stack, a bit less in CDP. Should I just order a set of Les Brown, ETM and Mec-Gar from Brownell and one from Tripp to see if any work or just live with 7+1? I thought my gun was somewhat unique so I was surprised to see that it is a somewhat common issue. The final option is I buy another STI in .45. (have one in 9mm) which has the obvious advantage of adding another gun. But the Colt has sentimental value and other than the mag issue I have it where I want. Thanks for any help or comments.
This is a late post but I found the thread in a search and I have the exact same problem with my Series 70 and Wilson Combat and Chip McCormack 8 round mags. The gun has been customized and is used for Single Stack and CDP with 200 grain LSWC. I should add if it matters that it dates from Vietnam years and started as my sidearm out of the box. The custom work is only a couple of years old (trigger job, barsto barrel, slide tightening, fiber optics with bomar sights, extended mag release, mag well, etc.). Essentially all of the internals have been replaced. The gun is very accurate and with reliable after playing with loads. When I load a mag with the slide closed I have to bang the Wilson (not ETM) in for it to seat and substantial pressure is needed on the mag release to eject it. The McCormack is even worse. Take out a round and they both seat easily as do all of my 7 round mags. But If I insert either 8 round mag with the slide open it will easily seat and release. Had some issues in a match yesterday with the Wilson. Have not tried Tripp, Mec-Gar or Les Baer. The loss of the extra round hurts in single stack, a bit less in CDP. Should I just order a set of Les Brown, ETM and Mec-Gar from Brownell and one from Tripp to see if any work or just live with 7+1? I thought my gun was somewhat unique so I was surprised to see that it is a somewhat common issue. The final option is I buy another STI in .45. (have one in 9mm) which has the obvious advantage of adding another gun. But the Colt has sentimental value and other than the mag issue I have it where I want. Thanks for any help or comments.
If you really NEED that 8th round then you will have to be willing to put up with the 8 round magazine's overcompressed spring and follower. I just went back to 7 rounds and became fast at mag changes in competition. If you can't deal with either of those scenarios then you can always go to a double stack or a smaller caliber. As someone else pointed out, the platform was designed for 7 rounds (in 45 ACP). The 8th round can be stuffed in there but it's a compromise and it does cause problems. Repeat after me - fire 6/change mag - fire 6/change mag......you'll get used to it.
It actually was easy for me because I also shoot revolver class - fire 6/reload. I also think that course designs that require mega rounds are not realistic.
It actually was easy for me because I also shoot revolver class - fire 6/reload. I also think that course designs that require mega rounds are not realistic.Six and load works in theory for Single Stack (assuming you have a lot of mags--I carry 5) but in IDPA you have to go to lock or load with retention which in my experience takes more time. I guess the compromise, since I am not going to give up the .45 (do shoot 9mm in ESP and Production) is 8+1 when you make ready and then 7 for reloads. That's a good idea and I will try it in the next USPSA match. Anyone have this problem with an STI single stack I wonder?
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