[Ralph McLaney]

Regarding GI contract 1911 magazines. Does anyone have any recent experience with the post-vietnam mags with contract numbers on the floorplates. I would like to know if the recent new surplus mags have feed lips shaped like the current civilian (Colt, Metalform, etc.)mags. Or are they still made with the original 1911 contour that releases the round late in the feed cycle and will not work with HG68 type semi-wadcutters and hollowpoints. Your input is appreciated.

 

[kciH]

I can't speak to the question that you ask, but I would suggest Wilson magazines if your budget allows. I've seen several 45's that wouldn't even feed roundball with the GI type mags, put the Wilson's in and it runs like a top. One word on the Wilsons, load to their recommended OAL with H&G68 to ensure reliability. I have seldom purchased a product that I was as thoroughly happy with.

 

[Ralph McLaney]

1911 GI Mags

I appreciate your reply on Wilson Magazines. Yes, I have used them. Currently I have three older Wilson 7 rounders (100% reliable) - and one 8 rounder (reliable but cannot be inserted into a pistol with the slide closed.)

On the other hand I have 20 year old Colt and Crown City Arms mags that work just as well in my 1911's and commanders. If GI mags are not rejects they should work reliably - And they can be had for 1/4th the cost of the Wilson cadillac mags. Any feedback guys!

 

[Jack Monteith]

Hi, Ralph:
Theres' a whole forum on 1911 mags here. http://www.1911forum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=19 I gather the Metalforms work as well as the fancy ones, and adjusting the release point is more important than make, if construction and materials meet Mil-Spec. I got a pair of no-names in `74 that are 100% reliable, but some I got recently were junk.

Bye
Jack

 

[Ralph McLaney]

1911 Forum

Thanks Jack,
I was not aware that a stand alone forum for 1911 fans existed. I will check out that site.

An additional note: I have converted all 4 of my 8 round Shooting Star magazines to 7 round, using Colt floorplates and springs saved from older mags that cracked or otherwise gave up the ghost. With the 8 round followers the Shooting Star mags were "jam-city," they also would not seat fully with a closed slide.

 

[Combat Diver]

Ralph,

I've got about 20+ of the recent issue 7 round M1911 mags. They have never malfunctioned in any issue M1911A1 that the unit had til we gave them up for M9s. We turned in our last 2 about 2 years ago. Never had a problem with any government mag. The current mfr. mags will have a 1M291 code on the base plate. The mfr. is Check Mate Ind. which received the contract on 1-11-75 and is still the current mfr. They also produce the M9 mags for the services. Check out http://www.gidm.dlis.dla.mil/bincs/begin_search.asp and type in the cage code 1M291. I normally do not use my US mags that much except for extended range use. For normal daily carry I have 4 Shooting Star 8rds (full size) and 6 Shooting Star 7rd (officers) that have been just the opposite of yours and totally reliable after 8 some years.

CD

 

[Ralph McLaney]

1911 GI mags

Combat Diver,
Thanks, that is the kind of info that I was looking for.

In regard to the Shooting Star mags, the problems I experienced with my Wilson/Colt series 70 was the first round off the top with 9 rounds in the gun. On firing the next round up would nosedive into the feed ramp (H&G 68/5.0 Red Dot). Also just to get the mag into the gun with the slide forward required a great deal of force. Those two negatives led me to dump the 8 round followers and springs. This was several years ago and I have shied away from the 8 rounders since.
I still have one original DEVEL 8 rounder that works and seats readily.

I am getting back into practical shooting after several years out (Master's, Kids, New Town, etc.), and was looking to get a number of new mags without burning a C-note just to get 3 mags and change. I will probably put Pachmayr bump pads on these as I don't use add on mag wells.

Again thanks for the info.