My son and I have mil-spec 1911A1's which function great with Chip McCormick 8 round shooting stars, and with the Meg-Gar mags that came with the pistols. I bought four 7-round magazines (USGI?) and they did not work for either of us.....we experienced no lock back after last round, and the mags had to be pushed and pulled to extract them. Why didn't these new mags work?
Magazine problems 1911A1
- Thread starter husker67
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Vern Humphrey
Member
I suspect because they are poor quality, non-GI magazines. Just because they hold 7 rounds, that doesn't make them USGI.
Technosavant
Member
Any autoloader is going to have problems with low quality magazines. The 1911 happens to have more crappy ones on the market than most, simply because the user base of the platform is so huge.
The reason it won't lock back probably is the result of the follower design. As for why it won't leave the gun, well, they aren't to spec.
Junk them and get some new magazines, this time from a well known brand (Metalform, Wilson, Chip McCormick, etc.). While you could swap out the followers and springs (if the follower is crap, I'd bet the spring is as well), if the mag tube itself doesn't fit right in the frame, they cannot be salvaged. Better to buy some good ones rather than mistakenly picking one up in a defensive situation. Then, the $5-10 you save will cost you your life.
The reason it won't lock back probably is the result of the follower design. As for why it won't leave the gun, well, they aren't to spec.
Junk them and get some new magazines, this time from a well known brand (Metalform, Wilson, Chip McCormick, etc.). While you could swap out the followers and springs (if the follower is crap, I'd bet the spring is as well), if the mag tube itself doesn't fit right in the frame, they cannot be salvaged. Better to buy some good ones rather than mistakenly picking one up in a defensive situation. Then, the $5-10 you save will cost you your life.
1911 guy
Member
Ditch 'em.
Cheap 1911 magazines are the bane of shooters everywhere. Many "gov't contract" magazines are no such thing. I have a range bag full of them, they never leave the bag. The followers are junk (won't lock the slide) and the metal is soft. Every time they hit the ground, they get a little harder to eject. Seems every range trip sees me throwing one or two away. The replacements are all McCormick, which are far better than 7 or 8 dollar mags.
Cheap 1911 magazines are the bane of shooters everywhere. Many "gov't contract" magazines are no such thing. I have a range bag full of them, they never leave the bag. The followers are junk (won't lock the slide) and the metal is soft. Every time they hit the ground, they get a little harder to eject. Seems every range trip sees me throwing one or two away. The replacements are all McCormick, which are far better than 7 or 8 dollar mags.
Just_a_dude_with_a_gun
Member
I have the exact opposite problem, in my Springfield GI 1911.
I can run junk all day, and the pistol always delivers.
McCormick Shooting Stars are my problem...they lock back my slide after each shot,
and don't feed all that well. The spring strength and follower shape on the shooting star line have been a problem in many a pistol. CMC Powermags work well though.
I can run junk all day, and the pistol always delivers.
McCormick Shooting Stars are my problem...they lock back my slide after each shot,
and don't feed all that well. The spring strength and follower shape on the shooting star line have been a problem in many a pistol. CMC Powermags work well though.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
USGI Mags
The problem with USGI magazines is mainly due to their becoming scarce. There were/are many that are showing up at shows that...while being genuine...are badly abused and damaged, and often the damage isn't readily apparent. The other issue is in being absoultely sure that they are, in fact, genuine. Many counterfeits are popping up because of the sudden demand for authentic era-correct magazines, and the premium price that genuine magazines command. Some of these fakes are obvious to even the semi-trained eye. Others are very well done, and hard to spot unless you know exactly what you're looking for. If you're having a follower problem, or the steel seems to be soft or flimsy...you probably have a fake.
The days of buying genuine USGI magazines...still wrapped in the paper...for 5 dollars a dozen, are gone.
The problem with USGI magazines is mainly due to their becoming scarce. There were/are many that are showing up at shows that...while being genuine...are badly abused and damaged, and often the damage isn't readily apparent. The other issue is in being absoultely sure that they are, in fact, genuine. Many counterfeits are popping up because of the sudden demand for authentic era-correct magazines, and the premium price that genuine magazines command. Some of these fakes are obvious to even the semi-trained eye. Others are very well done, and hard to spot unless you know exactly what you're looking for. If you're having a follower problem, or the steel seems to be soft or flimsy...you probably have a fake.
The days of buying genuine USGI magazines...still wrapped in the paper...for 5 dollars a dozen, are gone.
Metalform, a primary supplier to Colt, has very reasonably priced excellent quality mags. They do not currently make a tapered lip design like the old GI version as far as I know, but they tend to work well in most pistols.
Wilson and McCormick seem to work fine in most pistols also, their recent versions being considerably better than past versions.
Springfield seems to supply some very junky mags that are way out of spec with some of their pistols, although in certain calibers and with the higher grade guns good mags are supplied.
Wilson and McCormick seem to work fine in most pistols also, their recent versions being considerably better than past versions.
Springfield seems to supply some very junky mags that are way out of spec with some of their pistols, although in certain calibers and with the higher grade guns good mags are supplied.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Metalform
Metalform makes some dandy magazines. I have over a hundred and they all work, but I recommend that you ante up the extra couple bucks for the Wolff spring upgrade. Used to be that the springs were only available with their stainless magazines, but I've heard that's changed...and they can be had with carbon units.
Metalform does make a tapered lip magazine to Colt's specs. It has a
release point that's earlier and more abrupt than GI lips, but less so than straight wadcutter type. If you contact Metalform direct, you may get lucky and find that they have a few Colt contract overruns that they'll send, unless the Colt logo is already stamped on the baseplate. 7-round only.
Call their toll-free number. Push "4" when the options menu starts, and ask for Ginny. Visit their website to see what they offer. Price list may be out of date.
Metalform makes some dandy magazines. I have over a hundred and they all work, but I recommend that you ante up the extra couple bucks for the Wolff spring upgrade. Used to be that the springs were only available with their stainless magazines, but I've heard that's changed...and they can be had with carbon units.
Metalform does make a tapered lip magazine to Colt's specs. It has a
release point that's earlier and more abrupt than GI lips, but less so than straight wadcutter type. If you contact Metalform direct, you may get lucky and find that they have a few Colt contract overruns that they'll send, unless the Colt logo is already stamped on the baseplate. 7-round only.
Call their toll-free number. Push "4" when the options menu starts, and ask for Ginny. Visit their website to see what they offer. Price list may be out of date.
I looked at the base of these mags, after
unscrewing the bumpers,and the word Kimber is engraved there...can anyone decipher this inscription :>) LOL ???? I am presently sending these critters to someone for the $5.00 shipping cost -- and yes, I did let them know my experience...Just couldn't bring myself to trash them. Thanks to all for your comments....
unscrewing the bumpers,and the word Kimber is engraved there...can anyone decipher this inscription :>) LOL ???? I am presently sending these critters to someone for the $5.00 shipping cost -- and yes, I did let them know my experience...Just couldn't bring myself to trash them. Thanks to all for your comments....
If the bodies are decent quality, you might could save 'em with some new Metalform followers and Wolff springs. I would think that Kimbers would be decent bodies, but I've been wrong before.
Just don't buy Wilsons or Tuner will send a collie to pee on you.
Just don't buy Wilsons or Tuner will send a collie to pee on you.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Collies
Nah. The whizzin' Collies are dispatched for McCormicks. For Wilsons, I send
Little Man...the Pitbull.
Nah. The whizzin' Collies are dispatched for McCormicks. For Wilsons, I send
Little Man...the Pitbull.
BBBBill
Member
husker67 said:
Did you buy these off Ebay from a certain unreputable seller?
:banghead:FPrice
Member
husker67,
There is a dandy thread already going about 1911 magazines which explains a lot about the subject:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=229073
I get the feeling that 1911Tuner has forgotten more about 1911 magazines than most of us "know".
There is a dandy thread already going about 1911 magazines which explains a lot about the subject:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=229073
I get the feeling that 1911Tuner has forgotten more about 1911 magazines than most of us "know".
rbernie
Contributing Member
He bought these magazines from me, not our friend in Alaska (who still owes me $75 for the blatantly WRONG magazines that he sold to me and never made good on..) . 
A little while back, I bought several lots of mags onto which I put the Pachmayr bumpers. One lot was NIB factory Kimbers with 8rd followers and the other lot was 7rd USGI mags (in the wrapper with the contract number on the floorplate but with stepped feed lips and not the tapered feed lips). I recently sold all but one of my 1911s and decided to sell these extra mags. Evidently, I got the lots mixed up when I shipped them; Husker67 was supposed to get the USGI mags. (Yes, I refunded his money within an hour of him telling me of his issues.... Mea culpa, I suck, and all that.)
The odd question is why a set of NIB Kimber magazines would fail to operate in a standard 1911 pistol. They worked in my Springers without a hitch the few times I used 'em, and yet Husker67 had issues right from the git-go with the mags both not locking the slide back and not dropping free.
Truly weird.
A little while back, I bought several lots of mags onto which I put the Pachmayr bumpers. One lot was NIB factory Kimbers with 8rd followers and the other lot was 7rd USGI mags (in the wrapper with the contract number on the floorplate but with stepped feed lips and not the tapered feed lips). I recently sold all but one of my 1911s and decided to sell these extra mags. Evidently, I got the lots mixed up when I shipped them; Husker67 was supposed to get the USGI mags. (Yes, I refunded his money within an hour of him telling me of his issues.... Mea culpa, I suck, and all that.)
The odd question is why a set of NIB Kimber magazines would fail to operate in a standard 1911 pistol. They worked in my Springers without a hitch the few times I used 'em, and yet Husker67 had issues right from the git-go with the mags both not locking the slide back and not dropping free.
Truly weird.
I agree, it is weird
I'm certainly happy with RBernie and the deal and all that----absolutely no hard feelings, and the refund was quick and more than fair....
I am puzzled too, and that is why I have posted here, looking for some answers....I am shooting an RIA government model, which has never skipped a beat with Meg-Gar, or McCormick shooting stars, and all of a sudden this--my son's RIA (identical to mine) had the same problems with these Kimbers (I had intended to give him two and keep two)....
The mags are on their way to a gentleman in Pennsylvania who knows the difficulties I experienced....he paid the postage, the mags were gratis...so I'm not passing on stuff that didn't work for me as something else, nor am I profiting (must be defensive, nobody accused me of that ) The receipient promised to let me know how they work for him ---he shoots a Springfield, so we'll see...
I'm certainly happy with RBernie and the deal and all that----absolutely no hard feelings, and the refund was quick and more than fair....
I am puzzled too, and that is why I have posted here, looking for some answers....I am shooting an RIA government model, which has never skipped a beat with Meg-Gar, or McCormick shooting stars, and all of a sudden this--my son's RIA (identical to mine) had the same problems with these Kimbers (I had intended to give him two and keep two)....
The mags are on their way to a gentleman in Pennsylvania who knows the difficulties I experienced....he paid the postage, the mags were gratis...so I'm not passing on stuff that didn't work for me as something else, nor am I profiting (must be defensive, nobody accused me of that
) The receipient promised to let me know how they work for him ---he shoots a Springfield, so we'll see...I have a range pal who was going NUTS for weeks with mags that mis-fed, bound up, wouldn't drop free.
He finally got fed up enough to disassemble the pistol (a Kimber, as I recall), right down to the stocks.
What a nice little surprise he had. Whoever put the stock screws in put the loong screws in the shoort end, and vice versa. (Custom grips?) So the mags were ramming into the improperly-assembled stock screws, where it felt like too-tight spring pressure.
Egg on face.
He finally got fed up enough to disassemble the pistol (a Kimber, as I recall), right down to the stocks.
What a nice little surprise he had. Whoever put the stock screws in put the loong screws in the shoort end, and vice versa. (Custom grips?) So the mags were ramming into the improperly-assembled stock screws, where it felt like too-tight spring pressure.
Egg on face.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Eggs
Card said:
>Egg on face.<
*************
Yep. It's the little things that getcha...
Card said:
>Egg on face.<
*************
Yep. It's the little things that getcha...
The mags that came with my SA loaded where both tight and hard to pull from the TRP. Discovered the TRP was finished a bit tighter. Also the weak extractor on the loaded model rammed empties back into these same 2 mags on several ocasions.
Slight crushing of the lips make them fall easy now. Don't have any measurements with me but they both tested ok and are in service.
Edited to add:
Extractor is fixed. Spare is on hand. EGW oversised FPS, 14# recoil spring and 23# mainspring make both the Loaded and TRP run like silk.
Slight crushing of the lips make them fall easy now. Don't have any measurements with me but they both tested ok and are in service.
Edited to add:
Extractor is fixed. Spare is on hand. EGW oversised FPS, 14# recoil spring and 23# mainspring make both the Loaded and TRP run like silk.
Thanks for all the info ---
As the thread starter, I appreciate all this response...I have lost the e-mail address of the fellow I shipped the magazines to, and he has not sent me the $5.00 for shipping ---the only cost involved in the transaction...I'm not whining, just surprised that in all the transactions I have been involved in on the internet...I'm getting stiffed for $5.00 --- we are an amazing species, nicht wahr?
Best, Dave
As the thread starter, I appreciate all this response...I have lost the e-mail address of the fellow I shipped the magazines to, and he has not sent me the $5.00 for shipping ---the only cost involved in the transaction...I'm not whining, just surprised that in all the transactions I have been involved in on the internet...I'm getting stiffed for $5.00
--- we are an amazing species, nicht wahr?Best, Dave
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