EGW "high" mag catch

[tonka]

You gotta love this forum. I've lately had some "phantom" FTFs with my RIA Gov't. The malfs resemble a "light" 3-point jam: nose of the bullet in the chamber, cartridge rim captured by the extractor, slide out of battery 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch. In the "Training" section, I found myself reminded that one of the standard reactions to a jam is to make sure sure the magazine is fully seated in the well. Sure enough, I tap the mag and the slide runs forward like it oughta. Who woulda thunk? This going somewhere, wait for it.......

.....so, I'm looking at EGW's website and I find a mag catch that holds the magazine .020 higher in the well. Checking my pistol, I find that when I insert a loaded mag into the pistol, I can still move it about .030-.035 further into the well. Put another way, there's a .030-.035 gap between the lip of the mag's floorplate and the cut for it at the front of the magwell. If I install this "high" mag catch I'll have a .010 to .015 gap remaining between the floorplate and the magwell.

Does anyone have any experience with this item? Is tightening up the mag catch a fairly well established way to deal with the kind of FTF I'm experiencing? Figured I'd tap the Brain Trust before I burned $30.

[Rick McC.]

Seems reasonable to me. I've read other posts where the location of the mag catch was a little "out of spec" and was corrected this way. (That's probably why EGW offers the "higher" catch.)

Rick

[toolman]

The slot in the mag body can also be a little off. Be sure to check some other mags before changing out the mag catch.

[tonka]

The magazine used makes no difference whatever, from gunshow surplus mags to Wilsons and Colt/Checkmate factory mags; I still get the odd, aggravating stoppage.

A few minutes ago I tried a test: I simply tried to detect a difference in feeding the top round in the mag with the mag in its current "default" position, and with the the mag held upward in the well. I locked the slide back and inserted a full 7-round magazine, then dropped the slide with the slide release. It was a bit smoother with the mag in the higher position.

[tonka]

Bought it. Got it. Installed it. Feeding feels much smoother with all my mags, even some Mason-Rust GIs that I have laying around. Feeding with Checkmate GIs and Colt contract mags is buttery smooth. I need to get to the range tomorrow and see if the FTRB has been exorcised.

The catch would not fit without some filing and polishing, but it wasn't a big deal to do. I just colored the shaft of the catch with a sharpie and filed the high spots, taking 2 or 3 strokes between fittings; re-color and repeat as necessary. I also had to slightly deepen the clearance cut for the mag floorplate, but just by a hair or two.

The part comes without the spring or latch, so I used the OEM parts and they did fine. My Checkmates fit with a minimum of vertical play, followed by the Masons, a Wilson, and lastly my two Kimber magazines. These are pretty sloppy, but seem to feed OK. Now it's off to burn some powder and return with a range report!

[Bud White]

I have used them in 22' kits and 1 kimber that the mags sat to low to feed

[grendelbane]

Years ago, I bought a Delta Elite at what I thought was a very good price. Soon, I found out why it was so cheap, as it failed to feed way too many times.

After trying several other things, I installed the EGW high magazine catch, and that was the cure! Some times, just a little does a lot.

[tonka]

Took Fluffy out to the range today. I ran all my Checkmate mags without any trouble whatever, and noticed that feeding was a bit smoother. Then- a hiccup, followed by mild blasphemy. Had I just wasted more time and money on pistol that just ought to go back for warranty service? Hope not....... Took that mag out of service, ran a couple more mags, then- a stinkin' hiccup, followed by somewhat more vigorous blasphemy. Took that mag out of the rotation as well. Found that two other mags that Dad gave me yesterday wouldn't seat at all; they're 8-rounders, and their flared floorplates were hitting the bottom edge of the magwell, keeping the mags from seating. Repeated the test with all the mags that ran, and they all ran again. Picked up one of the "hiccup" mags, and noticed that it had a little ridge of mag bumper material standing proud of the mag tube. Checked the other bad mag, same condition. Whipped out the Multi-Plier, scarfed off the excess plastic. They seated correctly and ran like champs. All told, I fired 300 rounds today, mostly ball, but 85 rounds of various HPs as well.

Fluffy is whole again, and may accompany me anywhere I go.

[Rick McC.]

Congrats; another problem solved!

I have found this site to be very therapeutic.

Rick

[1911Art]

I built up a Caspian frame for a Marvel Unit 1 22LR conversion.

I had feeding issues with the Marvel (Colt marked) magazines - I tweaked and I tweaked those mag lips - I got improvement but never 100% - then I got the EGW mag release - it held my mags about .030" higher and it helped the feeding somewhat.

Then I tried the plastic AA mags that didn't work at all previously and viola! Now the gun is 100% for the last 5000 or so rounds and the AA mags load much easier.

EGW knows 1911s.

[George Smith]

Thank you again Good people!

We just changed the catch, we now make them in Quakertown, not our shop though. it is now made on a traub 11 axis machining center. Live tool, live tail stock etc.

If one of you good people can upload a pixture for me I can send you one.

We kept the high shelf aspect but we did much nicer machined checkering and it is slightly extended. The good news is if you want to Un extend it you can trim it back. The material is bar stock so no worries.

Thank you for the Work!
geo


www.egw-guns.com

[Rick McC.]

Mr. Smith:

Thank you for the personal attention!

I think it's a reflection of the quality of M1911.org (and your company) when an industry rep. such as you responds to "we the people!"

Take care and happy holidays to you and yours.

Rick

[George Smith]

Thanks Rick,

Any industry rep worth his salt would be paying attention to forums to see what is needed and how your parts are recieved.

We are very fortunate that our parts are well received on this forum.

best regards,
geo

[dogdollar]

Mr. George,

It is gratifying to see that sometimes, excellence is indeed rewarded.

I am a HUGE fan of your shop and have purchased both directly and through John Harrison, who does all of the custom things for me on some of my pistols. I am especially taken with the new design extractor (three installed) and oversize slide stop (three installed) and of course the firing pin stop plate (six installed).

What sets your shop apart to me is that you guys don't just settle for creating top shelf parts, you are continuing to improve design and function and push the envelope on parts performance where, as far as I can see, not many others dare to tread (with the obvious exception of Liebenberg). All of this, plus fair pricing and excellent customer service. Kudos to you and your staff, Sir.

You have a loyal customer for life here.

Best regards,
Tim Carroll AKA "Dogdollar"

[tonka]

At the risk of becoming an accessory to highjacking, I should report that my EGW new design extractor is just a hatful of gold where function is concerned. I was initially concerned at the lack of an adjustment pad, but no adjustment was necessary. My empties land in the same 2-foot circle with monotonous regularity. The oversize firing pin stop was installed at the same time. I find it does seem to "stretch out" the recoil impulse. I actually stoned the piece to put the final fit on it, so "clocking" is just not an issue.

The checkering on the mag catch is very nicely executed, indeed, and provides great purchase for the thumb. While it is a hair longer than the stock RIA part, it is by no means so long that it poses the threat of accidentally dumping the magazine.

George, thanks for fine line of products. I know it's important to tell you how your parts are working for me, but I also know it's more important to tell others, so I do. Anybody that'll listen. The little old lady in line at Walgreen's didn't seem to care much, though.....