1911 magazines

[lylejb]

Ok,

I'm in the market for a few 1911 45 magazines. Looking at midway, seems to be many makers, and prices.

I'm looking for "plain vanilla" nothing fancy, but works reliably.

I've seen discussions about different feed lips, followers, ect. and not really sure I understand what their talking about, or which mag. has which.

I mostly shoot hg68 clones, the lee 230 TC, with / rarely a bit of factory ammo.

I have the factory Colt that came with the gun, and a shooting star 8 rd. both worked well for about 20 years. Now the shooting star has started to jam. Weak spring I think.

Any suggestions?

[alrighty]

I use the Wilson 8 and 10 rounders and the McCormick 8 round power magazines and have great luck with both.I have used the shooting star McCormicks in the past.I upgraded the springs to power mags and they work great as well.
I know these are the premium mags but if you buy from Brownell's they sometimes have a deal on three packs.

[Bzcraig]

I would first replace the mag springs, if you think that is the problem before replacing the mags, springs are cheap.

[ultramag]

I'd put a Tripp rebuild kit in what you have.

[Reloader06]

If the mags you have, have removable floor plates a set of Wolff replacement springs should fix up the old ones.

[lylejb]

I would first replace the mag springs, if you think that is the problem before replacing the mags, springs are cheap.

I thought about that, but it looks like the floor plates are welded. Not sure I could cut and reweld, or how I would go about doing it.

Also it might be nice to have a spare or two

[nicholst55]

I thought about that, but it looks like the floor plates are welded. Not sure I could cut and reweld, or how I would go about doing it.

Also it might be nice to have a spare or two

The followers and springs will pop right out the top of the mag. Just tip the front of the follower up wards and tilt then down along the back of the tube; they'll pull right out the top.

[imashooter2]

Usually, the tube has a hole in it. Compress the spring slightly with a bushing wrench or similar. Put a nail or similar through the hole to hold the spring. Remove the now loose follower from the top of the mag. Put the bushing wrench back in to hold the spring. Remove the nail. Work the Spring out the top of the magazine. Note that the spring ends are different. Reassemble in reverse order.

[Hunter]

I prefer the Check-Mate 7 round dimpled follower with the hybrid lips.

[bhn22]

Colt mags are often sold at a discount. I probably have ten of them, and as many Wilsons. My guns and I are both allergic to cheap magazines anymore. I bought a bunch of gun show cheapies (marked Colt 1911) and the feed lips were loose within a month. No heat-treating. No more cheapies!

[waksupi]

Forget McCormicks 8 rounders if you are going to carry this for a defensive weapon. They WILL fail.

[DBH45]

If you have a Colt 1911 I would stick with the Colt brand Mags. If you have a Kimber I would go with Kimber Mags Etc. In the 80's when I was shooting IPSC at the Southwest Combat Pistol League I never noticed a faliure with Colt Mags, but plenty with copies.

[mongoosesnipe]

wilson combat mags are phenomenal if your paying money for new mags dont skimp and i would rebuild your current mags with quality springs and followers

[MTtimberline]

I have had really good luck with GI surplus mags in my Springfield. They seem to work better than the original Springfield ones. They appear to be made better too. I bought a few in the original packaging with NSN for $8 each about ten years ago. I wish I bought more because I can't find any now.

[gmsharps]

I've had great luck with MetalForm Mags. They can be had plain or with removeable floorplates, round followers in either blue or stainless.

gmsharps

[ReloaderFred]

I've converted my 1911's and Colt Delta Elites to CheckMate magazines. They work every time, which I can't say for the others.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[220swiftfn]

If you have a Colt 1911 I would stick with the Colt brand Mags. If you have a Kimber I would go with Kimber Mags Etc. In the 80's when I was shooting IPSC at the Southwest Combat Pistol League I never noticed a faliure with Colt Mags, but plenty with copies.

Interesting considering that both of those are made by Checkmate...........


Dan

[buckwheatpaul]

I use Wilson stainless steel 8 rounders.....they are the best .... when I was still a police officer it was the magazine that never failed and always produced.....in my Kimbers and Colts....good luck....Paul

[btroj]

Checkmate 7 round, hybrid

[Melski]

Wilson's work, period. You get what you pay for and worth every penny.