Kimber 1911 7 Round Mags Question

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Route 66

Member
Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
206
Location
Florida
First off I have relatively little experience with 1911 semi-auto pistols. I recently inherited a Kimber Pro CDP II and an Ultra RCP II. The Kimber website states that both pistols take a 7 round magazine. However, the Ultra RCP’s mag is about a half inch shorter than the Pro CDP's mag. But I did verify the 7 rounds after I loaded both up and indeed they both took 7 rounds.

I only got one mag for each pistol. So I want buy at least one more for each but I don’t know how to distinguish between the two when buying. When I go to eBay I see a Kimber mag as

Kimber 1911 Magazine 45 ACP Stainless Ultra Compact 7 Round Mag



So will something like this fit the Pro CDP or the Ultra RCP? If it fits one of these, what would the other one take?


Thanks for your help!
 
Not sufficiently familiar with Kimber model names to tell you outright, but will the magazines interchange/lock in to either gun? Does the bottom of the mag hang out?
If the one is a full sized 1911, then any 1911 mag (including GI) should work.
Due respect, but if you are a real noob, you might want to visit a local gunshop. Let them give you some guidance.
Moon
 
In the Kimber line-up, a "Pro" is a 4" barreled gun with a full size grip frame, while an "Ultra" has a Compact grip frame.

You need to order Government/Commander/Full Size mags for the "Pro" size gun, and Officer/Compact sized mags for the "Ultra" sized gun.

For instance in the Wilson Combat Catalog, you'll see mags for "Full Size 1911 Magazines" and "Compact/Officer 1911 Magazines"

shown here https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Magazines/departments/1/

These are the ones for your "Pro" https://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP-Full-Size-Magazines/departments/363/

These are the ones that will fit your "Ultra" https://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP-Compact-Magazines/departments/373/
 
halfmoonclip said:
Not sufficiently familiar with Kimber model names to tell you outright, but will the magazines interchange/lock in to either gun? Does the bottom of the mag hang out?
Click to expand...
frogfurr said:
As halfmoonclip says see if they well interchange.
Click to expand...
They are different sized mags for different sized guns. The Ultra mag will not fit the Pro, it will be too short. One should not use the Pro mag in the Ultra because it is too long and can be over-inserted into the Ultra, and possibly damage the ejector.
 
Route 66 said:
First off I have relatively little experience with 1911 semi-auto pistols.
Click to expand...
In light of this I think you should call Kimber, or shop their website.

Your Ultra takes Officer size 7 round magazines. Your CDP takes standard magazines, which are usually 8 rounds, but sometimes limited to 7 for olde timey sakes.

And now a curmudgeon will appear and tell us how 7 round magazines are more reliable than 8. . .
 
Editorial comment - Don't buy your mags off of eBay. Certainly, there are some fine deals to be had on great products. However, there is an awful lot of junk on eBay, and if you really don't know what you are looking for, chances of you getting junk are real good.

Buy your mags from reputable retailers like Wilson Combat, Chip McCormick, Tripp Research, Top Gun Supply, Brownell's, MidwayUSA, etc.
 
 
Just go to your LGS and buy a couple magazines sounds like ones a FS and ones a Compact frame.

It really is that easy
 
I appreciate all the quick responses. Several asked about interchangeability, the Ultra RCP mag will fit flush on the Pro CDP but will not lock the slide when I rack it. The Pro CDP mag extends about a half inch below the grip base when inserted. So it sounds like the Ultra or Officers size mag will fit the Ultra RCP and a full size 7 round mag will fit the Pro CDP. I'll try my local gun shop to see what they have on hand just to be sure.
Thanks again guys, now all I have to do is punch some paper!
 
edwardware, I'll be the designated curmudgeon; have always had lousy luck with 8 round 1911 mags, including a Colt marked one that they swapped.
For the OP, get a couple good mags, and get a feel for your pistol. If you're like the rest of us, you'll end up with a drawer full of them.
Moon
 
JTQ said:
In the Kimber line-up, a "Pro" is a 4" barreled gun with a full size grip frame, while an "Ultra" has a Compact grip frame.

You need to order Government/Commander/Full Size mags for the "Pro" size gun, and Officer/Compact sized mags for the "Ultra" sized gun.

For instance in the Wilson Combat Catalog, you'll see mags for "Full Size 1911 Magazines" and "Compact/Officer 1911 Magazines"

shown here https://shopwilsoncombat.com/Magazines/departments/1/

These are the ones for your "Pro" https://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP-Full-Size-Magazines/departments/363/

These are the ones that will fit your "Ultra" https://shopwilsoncombat.com/45-ACP-Compact-Magazines/departments/373/
Click to expand...
This
 
JTQ said:
They are different sized mags for different sized guns. The Ultra mag will not fit the Pro, it will be too short. One should not use the Pro mag in the Ultra because it is too long and can be over-inserted into the Ultra, and possibly damage the ejector.
Click to expand...
JTQ’s prior post about the size/fit of mags is correct.

Just as important is the above addendum of not using longer mags in short frames to prevent damage
 
Hmm. My SSII runs 8 round mags and 7 round mags just fine. It likes Kimber mags, Wilson mags and even generic el cheapo mags.
I’ve never had a ftf, fte or misfire in thousands of rounds.
Maybe I’m just lucky.
 
I re-read what I was going to post and decided to delete it as it would have needlessly angered or upset several posters and the OP.
I shouldn't even post when I'm in a bad mood:)

Really, follow JTQ's excellent posts and you'll be fine if you're accurate about the Kimber models you say you have (no pictures to verify so we're trusting the info in the original post).
 
Regarding 1911 mag capacities - the native capacity of the Government/Commander/Full Size is 7 rounds. The native capacity of the Officer/Compact is 6 rounds.

Sure, other capacities can and do work.

Here is an interesting tidbit from the Wilson Combat FAQ page that may be useful when using your "Ultra" size Kimber.

https://www.wilsoncombat.com/handgun-faqs/
All the mechanical changes are important, but the biggest factor is ammunition selection because it affects both slide cycle speed and the magazine’s ability to lift the cartridge into position for proper feeding. Ammunition loaded with 230gr bullets generate more recoil impulse (especially +P loads) than 185gr loads, and 7 rounds of 185gr ammunition weighs 315gr less than 7 rounds of 230gr ammunition, making the column of ammunition easier for the magazine spring to lift. I hope you see where I’m going here?
Click to expand...
 
Only truly junk 1911 mags I’ve had were both Kimber. I’d dump those for Wilson, Tripp, CMC or metal form mags ASAP.

As noted you have one full size frame and one officers frame (sometimes called compact) so those mags are different lengths even if the same capacity.
 
For me Wilson mags have always worked. I do have some Mec-Gar mags that have worked very well.
 
the only mags my Kimber had issues with were the original Kimber mags. I have 8 and 10 round Wilson and chip mcormic and all of them work fine.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Kimber Pro CDP Pro II vs COMPACT CDP II Pistols
Replies
1
Views
797
Smoke
S
R
  • Locked
Do I need to tune my extractor (1911)?
Replies
5
Views
919
PCRCCW
P
M
  • Locked
New Kimber purchase
Replies
7
Views
530
halfacop
H
mk25roberts
  • Locked
Carry Melt Kimber
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
SwampWolf
S
T
  • Locked
Kimber (ultra)
Replies
2
Views
551
WonderNine
W
Back
Top