Magazine won't drop free

[McGlock]

My Springfield 1911 A1, GI. Mag. will not drop free. I smoothed the rough spots in the mag well. This seem to work but after shooting pistol same problem. I suspect it's the cheap magazines I bought ( 10 for $25.00 ) Is there any thing else I can do before trying new mags? ( Chip McCormick power mags)

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I suspect it's the cheap magazines I bought ( 10 for $25.00 )

Me too. But first, try sliding them slowly in and out of the well, both loaded and unloaded and with the slide locked open, and see if they stick or bind anywhere. The sides of the tubes should be flat. Are they distorted, or bulged, or burrs on the cartridge counter holes? Look for any kind of score line running along the mag body; this indicates a protruding grip screw. If you still have any of its original mags, do they fall free?

 

[Swing]

Not sure about the issue you are having, but I can vouch for the Chip McCormick mags. The run like a beauty.

 

[rcmodel]

Look inside the mag well and see if any of the grip screws are sticking through.

If they are?
They are too long for the grips you are using, and need to be filed off flush inside the mag well when they are tight.

rc

 

[MrDig]

I have the same problem with mags I bought from Sarco for six bucks a copy. I suspect it is a matter of tolerances and sanding the surfaces of the mags more than anything.

 

[rcmodel]

Measure your mags thickness with a dial caliper.

Everything I have from Chip McCormick, Wilson, Colt, and old GI is .438" to .442" thick.

If they are much different then that, it is the mags that are out of spec.

If not that, it is a grip screw length protruding into the mag well, grip screw bushings protruding into the mag well, or the pistol frame is out of spec.

Another trick you could try is "Color" a mag that sticks with a Dry Erase marker.
Where the marker rubs off is what is tight.

rc