Which 1911 mags?

[hso]

https://metalform.us/

 

[Slamfire]

I apply that in all cases. I used to be a "#68" loader - after I lost my source of 452460s - but I got tired of the tinkering with OAL, magazine choice, and barrel "throating", so when I found some 200 gr roundnose bullets, I went over to them and have been quite content. I wonder if part of the fussiness is due to so-called #68 bullets deviating from the original Crawford design by Hensley and Gibbs and from each other.

The bullets I am running are commercial cast versions of the H&G 68, beveled bases and smaller bases. This is an amazing resource on H&G bullets: Hensley & Gibbs Mould Chart Reference Page I don't know the exact date of introduction, but the web page shows H&G 68 mold on sale 1939, take a look at the catalog page from 1939 and it can be seen the H&G line was well established in the 1930's.

I am of the opinion the H&G 68 was created for Bullseye pistol shooters post WW1, and those shooters were looking for the most accurate and lowest recoiling bullets possible. To keep the H&G 68 stable out to 50 yards, the desirable speed goal is 740ish fps. I can't prove it, but maybe the H&G 68 is sensitive to timing related to slide speeds, and that at target velocities the H&G 68 is more reliable in feed than at the 900 to 1000 fps loads I see in print.

 

[JTQ]

I made the following post in this thread https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...de-on-empty-chamber-bad-for-gun.911867/page-5

Realize, when considering full size 8 round 1911 magazines, there are three lengths.

There are flush fit 8 rounders. This length tube was designed to hold 7 rounds of .45 Auto ammo. To get 8 rounds in that tube length some compromises have been made in the spring and follower.

There are slightly longer tubes. These are the early "improved" 8 rounders. These are also really 7 round tubes with classic examples being the Wilson 47D and Chip McCormick (CMC) PowerMag. These tubes will extend beyond the bottom of the mag well (non-mag chute equipped guns) even without a bumper pad. They are only slightly longer than a flush mag to allow the tube to wrap around the steel internal base plate.

Then there are extended tube 8 rounders. These are mags that were designed from the ground up to hold 8 rounds and not merely converted 7 round mags. Examples of these would be CMC Railed PowerMags (RPM), Tripp CobraMags, and Wilson ETM mags. There are others, most of which are identified by a flared bumper pad that wraps around the bottom of the tube rather than just on the bottom. If you want an 8 rounder that will be easiest to seat with the slide forward (8 + 1 carry) these are the ones to choose.

Edit to add: All things being equal, expect better performance and longer spring life from a flush 7 round mag over a flush 8 rounder. An extended tube 8 rounder (the last category above) will probably perform similar to a 7 round mag.

 

[JTQ]

and this post from the same thread https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...de-on-empty-chamber-bad-for-gun.911867/page-5

Examples using the CMC line-up since they make all three lengths

Flush: Match Grade. Also available with a bumper pad, but the tube is flush length. https://www.cmproducts.com/Match-Gr...CP-8-Round-Stainless-with-Base-Pad_p_203.html

PowerMag. Slightly longer, but only so you can slide a steel base plate inside the tube. https://www.cmproducts.com/Power-Mag-Full-Size-1911-45-ACP-8-Round-Stainless_p_193.html

RPM. Actual extended tube length. Note how the pad wraps around the bottom of the tube, and the pad is flared to allow that. https://www.cmproducts.com/Railed-Power-Mag-RPM-Full-Size-1911-45-ACP-8-Round-Stainless_p_211.html


Edit to add: Ayoob has a picture of the three tube lengths, from the back, in the mag picture in this article. Mag on the right - flush mag. Mag in the middle - slightly longer. Mag on the left - extended tube, note how the pad wraps around the bottom of the tube and the pad is flared to allow that.

https://www.thearmorylife.com/ayoob-is-the-1911-wrong-for-ccw/

 

[Jim Watson]

There are others, most of which are identified by a flared bumper pad that wraps around the bottom of the tube rather than just on the bottom.

Checkmate has two superficially similar looking magazines. I bought the wrong one. It will HOLD 8 but with no slack and cannot be loaded under a closed slide. The other with an EXT suffix on the part number is a true native 8 shot.

 

[JTQ]

Checkmate has two superficially similar looking magazines. I bought the wrong one. It will HOLD 8 but with no slack and cannot be loaded under a closed slide. The other with an EXT suffix on the part number is a true native 8 shot.

I agree with you and the one mag I won't buy from CheckMate again is their non-extended tube 8 rounder. In my eclectic collection of 1911 mags they are the most difficult mags to seat with a full mag and the slide forward.

However, visually, the EXT mag has the flared bumper pad, while the non-extended tube has the narrower pad, either a screwed on version in their welded plate mag, or the slide on version that is similar to the pad on CMC PowerMag and Wilson 47 Series.

Non-Extended https://www.topgunsupply.com/check-...f-removable-base-full-size-1911-magazine.html

Extended https://www.topgunsupply.com/check-...-full-size-1911-magazine-cm45-8-s-rb-ext.html

 

[md7]

Mec gar, metalform, and Wilson all work fine for my 1911s

 

[silicosys4]

Chip McCormick

 

[hutch51]

Wilson Combat 47C, seven rounds capacity.
I have a Rock Island 1911 that is a little sloppy on the slide lock, sometimes would not lock back, sometimes the follower would "skip over" the slide lock and I would have to forcibly remove the magazine.
The Wilson mags completely eliminated the problem. Use them in the Rock Islands, Colt, and Ruger.
I should probably replace the slide lock but happy right now.

 

[damyankee425]

I have used a Mish mosh of different brands .I currently run Act Mag, Wilson Combat, and a few no name. I've even tried budget mags from SARCO,here in PA their own mag. To me it's what works.I tried mags same manufacture same capacity and 2 will run great and 1 will be a basket case for the price the Sarco mags aren't bad. I did upgrade the followers with Wilson Combat.My Commander is happy now. It's a Phillipine copy,but it runs great after a tune up

 

[1911 guy]

MecGar, Metalform, Wilson and Tripp. If buying 8 round mags, do not buy flush fitting mags, as has been mentioned by others already. I'm a fan of 7 rounds and just carry a spare.