Probably a Stupid Question Regarding 1911s, But...

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

OregonJohnny

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
1,072
Location
Oregon
OK, I've had a S&W 1911 Stainless for a couple of years now. It's not perfect, but it is a great gun and it has solidified a love for the 1911 in me. I would eventually like to move up to a slightly "higher-end" 1911 like a Kimber. Here is my question:

My S&W came with two 8-round magazines. I have also installed a Wilson Combat beveled magazine well and am now using Wilson 8-round mags to fit, since the S&W mags don't fit any longer now that the gun has the beveled mag well. So when a company like Kimber advertises one of their 1911 models as having 8-round capacity and another model with 7-round capacity, and both models are the same size, why the difference? Is it simply the magazine used? Can an 8-round mag fit any full-size 1911? Further, if a full-size 1911 can fit 8-round mags and function perfectly, why would they come with 7-round mags? Especially the "combat" or "tactical" versions which seem like they would benefit from an extra round if used for professional work. Please clear this up for me. Thanks.
 
It's just the magazine that the gun came with, assuming all 1911s are of equal size (i.e. fullsize 5" Government length). So a fullsize Kimber can swap magazines with a fullsize S&W, regardless of capacity. A Chip McCormick Powermag 8 rounder will fit in both a Kimber fullsize and S&W fullsize, even if the gun came with 7 rounders originally.
 
1911 models as having 8-round capacity
Click to expand...
Some mfgr's sometimes are referring to 7 +1 in the tube for 8. In the case of 1911's, yes the 8 rd mag is slightly extended & will fit.
As far as why 8 isn't std has more to do with a reliability question with the mag spring tension since the orginal mag's were 7.
 
First of all, there are plenty of "higher-end" 1911's that beat the pants off a Kimber, in my opinion. Check out Dan Wesson. Great pistols, great customer service, and they make 'em in 10mm. Dan Wesson doesn't have a nasty looking roll mark claiming "custom" unless it was a custom built pistol.

anyhow, check out DW,Springfield, Colt, Sig for some more ideas.

As far as the mags go, I always keep 7 in the mag and one in the tube. I've had issues with mags filled with 8 not wanting to stay in, or the first round jamming up.
 
Bachus beat me to it. Great source of information on the 1911 right there. Also has sub forums on different brands of 1911 makers as well, so you can "talk" to people who own the different makers/models you are interested in.
Good luck!
SRT
 
Up until just recently, all the 8-round magazines were of the same dimensions as the 7-rounders...and that's caused some problems due to trying to stuff 4 inches into a space designed for three-point-five.

Virgil Tripp has stropped Occam's Razor and solved the problem by extending the length of the Cobra magazine by almost a half-inch, and added a slam pad to cover the extra material...making it good match for the pistols with add-on mag wells.

He was kind enough to send me a half-dozen for testing and evaluation, and thus far, they've been flawless with nearly every type of ammo I've used in over 20 test pistols. I've beat'em like a borrowed mule, and they've taken it in stride.

Pricey...but an excellent value if you intend to put your pistols and magazines to hard use.
 
Mr. Browning's original mag held 7 rounds, and left enough room for the spring without over-compressing it.

You could have loaded one up in WWI and it would still work properly in Iraq!

Most of the 8-round mags made now squish the spring a 1/2" further then Mr. Browning would have liked.

And I really doubt the ones left loaded will still be going strong 91 years from now!

rcmodel
 
The makers got that extra round in in the same space by cutting down the tail of the follower, then reducing either the turns or the diameter of the magazine spring. As Tuner says, there were some problems.

Jim
 
x77 on not buying a Kimber. I've owned 2, and realized that with the money I puked up for them :barf:, I could have had myself a real custom made 1911.
 
Last edited:
I love my Kimber Classic Custom (Series I) as well, though I understand there have been some real dogs that Kimber pumped out later on (all seemingly appearing in Series IIs).
 
My Kimber has been fine, never a problem. With that said I would consider the Smith to be a small step up over my Kimber.
 
also note that you can put a fullsize mag in an officer frame, only deal is the floorplate will stick out a little bit.

It really doesn't matter.
 
Not to disrespect Kimber too much, but I would consider your S&W 1911 more "higher end" than a Kimber.
Click to expand...

Yup. I would have to rate Dan Wesson and Smith & Wesson above Kimber. Kimbers just cost more. That's all.

You won't see a major jump in quality without going to a true custom or semi-custom like a Les Baer.

I am very fond of the current DW offerings in that they have virtually no markings. I'm not sure why, but that has really grown on me. (It may be the ultimate irony after coveting the "Prancing Pony.") I have a new DW Pointman 7 that I received in trade for a used New Series 70 Colt with a few tweaks, and I definitely made out like a bandit. It would have required spending another $300 or so on that Colt to bring it up to the level of a bone stock PM-7.
 
I love my Kimber Classic Custom (Series I) as well, though I understand there have been some real dogs that Kimber pumped out later on (all seemingly appearing in Series IIs).
Click to expand...

+1
My early model Kimber has been a joy to own and shoot but I'm not sure I'd buy a Series II.
I did buy a Dan Wesson PM7 and it is a superb choice for a 1911.
 
I love my Springfield....But even after handling dozens of Kimbers, and taking PPC classes with people shooting them, I fail to see how they are worth almost 3 times the price.

If I had my choice of ANY 1911, i would choose a Dan Wesson Bobtail. Someday maybe I can have one. :)
 
Oregon Johnny- I have a couple of Kimbers, a Dan Wesson, a Rock River Arms, a Valtro, a Colt GCNM, probably something else I'm forgetting, that your welcome to try next time you go shooting. They're all very fine guns (which is why I have 'em), but I doubt you'll find much different or advantageous over your S&W. If you are set on buying another 1911, I'd strongly recommend a DW, like other makers, they are not without the occassional duff example, but the overall quality of components and fitting make them a very compelling choice.
 
Well I didn't mean for this thread to turn into a manufacturer debate, but I am sort of glad it did. After reading the responses and doing some thinking, it sounds like Kimber isn't necessarily better than S&W just because their guns cost more. I've heard good and bad things about Kimber. I've also heard that some parts on a S&W are made by Kimber, or vice-versa, I can't remember. Seems like the only major difference between a S&W and a Kimber is the external extractor on the S&W.

I think I'll hang on to my S&W 1911 for a while, maybe do some more minor mods. It's been a great gun, very reliable and accurate. I think I'd like to get some different grips. What are some minor (no major smithing required) mods I can do to increase accuracy? Is a barrel bushing a good choice? Or should I just leave well enough alone and save up for a Dan Wesson or Wilson Combat down the road?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

F
  • Locked
Kimber Pro Carry II...what size mags???
Replies
13
Views
18K
Lennyjoe
Lennyjoe
C
  • Locked
1911 Magazine Question
Replies
5
Views
513
Swing
Swing
Panzerschwein
  • Locked
  • Poll
1911 Mags: 7 vs. 8 Round
2
Replies
38
Views
5K
Walt Sherrill
W
A
  • Locked
1911 Magazines????
Replies
19
Views
820
mmartin101808
M
H
  • Locked
1911 7rd vs. 8rd. Mags
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
MT GUNNY
M
Back
Top