Extra Capacity Mags: Not a Happy Camper

[Mad Magyar]

Over the years, my use of extra capacity magazines in the 1911 platform has been disappointing. Very few have performed in a sufficient manner. The makers just didn’t seem to be able to design their oversize mags so they could control the cartridges well enough to the first to the last. I surmise the followers were not well aligned and shifted in moving up the tube and spring tension varying widely from the 1st to the last shot.
In my case, more “stovepipes”, “nose-ups”, etc. I’ve reached the point where I just don’t think the positives outweigh the problems incurred. Now-a-days, I stay to the original configuration.
Yes, in case you are thinking there were other problems; I did isolate it to this one variable.
Anyone else frustrated or is one mfgr got this thing solved?

 

[svtruth]

My Para

45-13 runs fine, fmj, hp, etc.
Good luck.

 

[Onmilo]

I have found Wilson 10 round magazines to be about the best and I have had some issues with these myself.

 

[wideym]

Try 8 round shooting star mags. I've had seven stainless 8 round mags for three years of shooting and not a mag failure yet out of my colt 1991. Not bad for 9.95 each.

 

[10-Ring]

I haven't liked that the 10 round mags do not fit flush or are not 100% reliable. I've gone w/ Wilson 8 round mags and have been very satisfied in total reliability.

 

[Majic]

Many, many years ago folks have found that the magazines that extend beyond the magazine well have been nothing but headaches.

 

[MICHAEL T]

I find the 7 round mags good enough.

 

[marsh1]

I had to sign up to answer this one.

I have had very good success with Chip McCormick 10 round power mags in Kimbers and Colts. I use them only on steel frame 1911s as the followers will beat up alloy frames.

 

[Candiru]

You can't make a magazine that holds eight rounds but provides identical spring pressures as a seven-rounder, and 1911s are fairly sensitive to the balance of spring weights between the hammer spring, recoil spring, and magazine spring. All semi-autos have to maintain a balance here, but the 1911's controlled feed principle makes that balance much more important than the relatively sloppy feed designs of later semi-autos. An in-spec 1911 with the stock spring weights will provide the most reliable feed possible in a semi-auto, but if the gun is out of whack or someone starts playing with recoil or mag spring weights (both very popular activities), all bets are off.

Here is a writeup I did on 1911 mags that might explain things better. I'd recommend sticking with the standard seven-rounders. There's no such thing as a free lunch, so if a magazine gives you extra rounds, what does it have to take except reliable feeding?

 

[LoadedDrum]

If you want extra capacity I have to second the recommendation for a wide body. My Para has been completely reliable with either factory mags or Mecgars.

 

[achey]

I will have to agree with marsh. the mccormick shooting stars do work well. If thegun is a single stack. And if you want more capacity with a flush mag go with an XD in 45. I love mine. Just my .02.

achey

 

[StrikeEagle]

I suggest you stick with the 7 rounders with the flat, dimpled follower. This is the original design that the 1911 built its reputation on.

You'll not do better.

 

[biere]

I have some 8rd 1911 mags that came with my 2 1911s in 45acp.

After some shooting to break them in and a recent gun class I know that all mags I buy in the future will probably be 7rd mags.

I had some minor mag problems towards the end of the gun class and once I got home and compared all the mags the mags giving me problems were the dirtest and grittiest mags.

After coming from glocks I did not consider needing to clean my mags very often.

And now that I have cleaned my 8rd mags and put some rounds through them and compared them to some 7rd mags I am just of the opinion that a flush fitting 1911 mag should hold 7 rds.

As far as extended length mags go, I consider them a toy to some extent. I don't plan to ccw with one of those mags and as much as I might consider having one for a reload I do not trust them for a reload.

If something works for someone else I will not ever tell them to change.

I just am not impressed with how the springs in the 8rd mags are aging during use and the 7rd mags are impressing me with their consistancy.

I started with a glock 19 and I can understand why people choose different firearms.

I like single stack 1911s because their grip angle and grip size works for me. When taking that into account I plan to stay with 7rd mags in the future.