Well now, what do say we take a look at the magazine...

As a newbie to the 1911 and also a recent recipient of some MetalForm Elite mags, Tripp Research Upgrade kits and shortly a SA Mil-Spec, I would offer the following as a pass at a decent lube combo for the 1911 magazine:

Exterior: Armadillo (although I think it to be overkill on the Elites, I like Blue Wonder's Armadillo product on basic metal mags with this process: rub on the Armadillo, then heat with a hair-dryer until soft or begins to flow and then lightly polish off the excess)

Interior: Hornady One-Shot Dry Lube (subject to change / recommendation)

I will also mention that I may just try a Simple Green cleaning and hosing the whole thing (minus the Tripp follower) with Boeshield T9. YMMV

What do you guys and gals use?

I would stay away from the Hornady one shot; over time it may congeal and attract dirt
For the in and outside I would use a true dry spray lube like Remington dry spray lube or the like
Good luck

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TheGerk

Nothing goes on the outside of the mag......I use Wilson's Ultima-lube on the spring. But just enough to feel it, no more.

Treat your mags like a removeable part of the firing system, and things should go well.

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If it isn't durable, it isn't reliable.

Ok, so what brands of mags do you all use for your PII's? My instructor just said to buy good ones like Wilson, but that just because the gun is a Baer I don't have to limit myself to Baer magazines. Any opinions?Guidance?

Thats a huge can of worms.........folks use all sorts of different brands etc.

I use either Wilsons, or Metalform mag bodies with Wilson 8 round conversion kits in them.

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If it isn't durable, it isn't reliable.

Hmmm... what's in the Hornady product that would potentially congeal and cause issues?

I also inquired of Tripp research and they indicated that they run theirs clean and dry although they are aware that others use something that we would classify as a "light film" of whatever - but would also bring with it the need for periodic cleaning.

I guess it doesn't need much...

Hi

If you have to lubricate the outside of your mags to get them to function then you probably should fix the problem. Magazines that hang up in the mag well are not working correctly.

That said about the only thing I would trust on the outside of the mags would be graphite powder. Load it into a cloth, shake off the cloth, and rub down the mags with the cloth. Do not put the graphite directly on the mags. You will put more than enough on by simply rubbing them down.

Bob

About the last thing I really want all over the outside of my mags is graphite, unless you like the dirty gray your hands, fingers and clothes will get from it.
I use Silicone spray only on the inside of my STI mags, let it dry then assemble them.

Caterpillar tractor company markets a dry lube spray with moly-disulfide. Spray your springs and inside of the mags. Let dry and burnish lightly with a dry cloth. At $6 per spray can, it is cheap and lasts for years. (The can, that is)

Spot on. Well...All but the 47D thing, but I'm still prayin' for ya brother...

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