Best mags to use in my 1911-A1 mil-spec?

[ziadel]

Hiya guys, I was just wondering if anyone had any recommendations as to what are the best magazines to use in my new springfield.


I'd like them to fit flush with the bottom of the grip, thats my only real requirement, as for 7 or 8 rounds, I just want reliable.


I've got 200 rounds through this thing (well 205 if you consider the 5 185 grain +p golden sabres) without so much as a hiccup, and I'd like to keep the record going...


so whats the best, and whats the cheapest place to get them?


thanks in advance for any assistance

[wichaka]

Welcome to the forum!

What's that I hear? Another can of worms opening?

You're going to get alot of opinions on that question. If the gun is running with the stock mags, you obviously want to keep those. For others........go with Metalform, they happen to make the mags that came with your Springer.

I also use Wilsons, but they have the base pad so they would not fit flush.

So stick with Metalform, and get the flat follower that has the dimple in the middle of it. Its probably like the type you have now. they'll do ya good.....

[John]

The best mags for your 1911, are those which work with it.

No seriously, this isn't a joke, our baby is sometimes peculiar about these things, so try to use some different mags, before you go out and invest your money in some, that the long run prove to be problematic.

Rgds

[stans]

I have found that 7 round magazines are usually more reliable than 8 round mags. I am talking about the ones with flat followers and the dimple (looks more like a pimple to me) on the follower, you know, genuine military issue style.

[Chuck S]

Stainless steel Metalforms have proven to be absolutely reliable in all my pistols as have 7 round MecGars. But so have USGI M1911 magazines and every other magazine I've tried that's in good condition. Magazines are consumables, if they don't work all the time put them in the range bag, not your mag carrier.

If you always practice with perfect equipment you fail to develop all the skills you need in a gunfight.

-- Chuck

[Spitfire]

Another vote for the stainless 7 round metalforms with the flat follower and the dimple with the wolf spring upgrade if your wallet can handle it.

[ziadel]

my mag appear to have the flat follower with the dimple, only came with one mag tho, I wonder if the gun-store ripped me off?


anyways, would someone be so kind as to post a link to the cheapest place I can get the metalform, stainless mag with the flat dimpled follower?

[Chuck S]

Tried Brownells? (http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9210&title=1911+AUTO+MAGAZINES)

-- Chuck

[ziadel]

which base is it that comes with the stock mag?

[OD*]

https://www.metalformmagazines.com/style.asp

[WWIIVermont]

Excuse me for being so new to 1911's but I just got my first one..a GI 45.It came with 1 7rd and they gave me a Chip McCormick shooting star 8rd mag saying it was the best to get.

I am reading quite a few responses around that I may have some issues with using an 8rounder.....true?

[Chuck S]

McCormick makes a very nice magazine and I'd not anticipate any problems with it.

While I'll carry 7 rounds in an Officer ACP magazine I hesitate to carry 8 in a Government Model magazine. Rational? Maybe not. But I use 'em on the range all the time.

-- Chuck

[wichaka]

I use Wilson 47D 8rd mags., and have never had a problem..........while others do have problems. Can't explain it........... You'll just have to see what your gun operates with.

I rocommend Metalform mags. that have the flat follower with the dimple.

[cottontoptexan]

My Springfield Champion came with 3 mags from the factory. Not sure but like others commented could be made by metalform. They work well so that is what i use. I do not know if all Mil-Spec SA's come with 3 mags but mine did. I think that was pretty thoughtful of SA.

[bearandoldman]

Wilson Combar 47's 7 rounds in the full size SA and Wilson 47OX's 7 round in the Micro and they all run well. Had some problems on last cartridge with the SA mags so traded them off to my dealer and payed the difference for the Wilsons

[MadGrendel]

Bearandoldman, great story about Bear! It's amazing how these 'animals' can affect our lives so much. No one's going to convince me that they're just poor, dumb animals.

I posted a similar question on another thread, but since I figure different people read different threads sometimes, I figured I'd put it here too. Does anyone have any opinions on the Kimber 8 round blue mags? I was given a few new ones last night, and haven't found much on them when looking over the board. I should be able to try them tonight, though. I just wanted to see what others thought of them.

Cheers!

MG

[wichaka]

I believe that Metalform makes those..........not sure.

What does the follower look like?

[bearandoldman]

You are right sometimes I think Bear is alot smrter than a lot of the guys I used to work with. Have never used a Kimber mag use Wilson 47's in the full size and 47OX in the Micro, all are 7 rounds and they get the job done.

[Big K]

Metalform 7's & CMC Shooting Star 8's seem to work fine in my Mil-Spec SS, no FTF or FTE in 600 rounds.

[Thompson]

I have an older Springfield Defender model (no longer made as such) that came with two Shooting Star 8 round stainless magazines. They have always worked great as have the USGI contract 7 round magazines.

The best prices I've seen for my pistol magazines are at www.cdnninvenstments.com. If they are listed as coming with a base pad (McCormick), the pad is in the wrapper but must actually be installed on the magazine. Simply don't install the pad if you want a flush fit.

I shot IPSC for several years and liked the pad installed but WWI and WWII military magazine pouches will not accommodate the pad.

[Big K]

another link to CDNN

http://www.targetsportsinc.com/

[White]

I bought six magazines from Springfield and they all work great. I have never had a FTF or any other misfunction with my Springfield Milspecs. At the time I had a cupon which came with my Milspec purchase.

[GW45]

:) I use the SA mags 7 round, but getting ready for competition tournaments
I'm going to stay with SA but required to carry 10 rounds or better. I've
takin alot of advice from this 1911 orgaization. I would not ever trade my
1911-A1 SA Mil-Spec, it has broken in really nice. Read as much as you
get your hands on "maintenence." it will pay off. Greg

[Seraph]

I believe the Metalform 7rd mags, with flat follower, to be superior, by virtue of simplicity. They are utterly reliable, and stay that way longer. I think that 8 rounds in a 7 round tube leads to quicker spreading of the feed lips. I recently executed a group buy over on 1911forum, of Metalform blue carbon steel 7rd mags, with removable baseplate (Metalform part # 45-273). When you order 40 or more mags, you get a MAJOR price break. We got our excellent, reliable mags at a whopping $7.61 per (plus shipping). If group buys are permissable on this forum (they are no longer allowed on 1911forum :rolleyes: ), that's what I would recommend. If not, the Springfield Armory Loaded Coupon will let you get them for $9 per.

[bea175]

I use nothing but Wilson mag's, in my opinion they are the best you can buy. :D

[1911slabsides]

I have found that 7 round magazines are usually more reliable than 8 round mags.

That without question has been my experience, The only 8 round mag that I've had decent luck with was the Wilson, but even with the Wilson's I've not had an 8 rounder that locked the slide back on the last round. I'd really really really stay with the 7 rounders.

[Sentinel]

IMHO...Wilson 47D

[Harold]

Got my new Springfield GI 1911A1 with only one magazine. Went to the gunsmith who works on my guns and bought two new black colt magazines. When I load the magazine and put it in the gun and fire it, the first round either doubles up or it blocks the slide and I have to remove the magazine and open the slide and the cartridge drops out. I then reinsert the cartridge and magazine and it fires all the way through the seven rounds. I insert the next colt clip and it does the same thing. Is it me or the magazine? :confused:

[Tom]

Got my new Springfield GI 1911A1 with only one magazine. Went to the gunsmith who works on my guns and bought two new black colt magazines. When I load the magazine and put it in the gun and fire it, the first round either doubles up or it blocks the slide and I have to remove the magazine and open the slide and the cartridge drops out. I then reinsert the cartridge and magazine and it fires all the way through the seven rounds. I insert the next colt clip and it does the same thing. Is it me or the magazine? :confused:

I've that the exact opposite experience with the Colt magazines. My first rounds always fed properly. It was the last or second-to-last rounds that failed to feed and would cause the jam. But I concur, the "stock" magazine from Springfield works like a champ. And Springfield said they would honor their coupon, even though it has expired over two years ago!


Tom

[Harold]

But I concur, the "stock" magazine from Springfield works like a champ. And Springfield said they would honor their coupon, even though it has expired over two years ago!


Tom[/QUOTE]

What do you mean "honor their coupon?".
:confused:

[Tom]

I bought my PB9108L used at a gun show, and the coupon had expired two years ago. At the suggestion of several people on this forum, I contacted Springfield, told them the story, and they said they would honor the coupon even though it has expired.

Sorry if my phrase confused you, Harold.



Tom

[Harold]

Thanks for the response. I don't recall getting a coupon in mine, but I'll look in the box again. Still wonder why the colt workst EXCEPT for the first round in each magazine. Could it be something about the way I load the initial round?

[Tom]

If you've got it, you can't miss it. It's an orange sheet of paper with black ink. I'd make you a copy of mine, but while Springfield said they'd honor the one I had, the sheet specifically states that photocopies would not be excepted.

Still, wouldn't hurt to call/email Springfield and ask.


Tom