1911 magazines

[Kevin Stenberg]

I am looking to buy a couple of mags for my new 1911. And wondering what brands are a good value for the money.

 

[Brad]

I like Checkmate with the GI feed lips. Finding the right now is another story entirely.
I will wait, they are worth the wait. Good price and they feed right.

 

[462]

I recommend Check-Mate, also, though mine have the hybrid style lips. They feed Lyman's 452374 round nose and 45240 semi-wadcutter flawlessly.

 

[Brad]

My Hybrid lip magazines like to give feed issues on the 2nd to last round far more often than I like. This is with an HG68 clone by MP.

 

[462]

My Randall came with three magazines that, as far as I can discern, have wadcutter style lips. With both Lyman bullets the next to last round will jam against the barrel hood.

I know Bill would know the cause, if not the lips.

 

[Brad]

One of the most educational things I did with my 1911 is remove the recoil spring and slowly hand cycle dummy rounds from the magazine. Seeing exactly what was happening was a huge learning tool.

 

[462]

That needs to be added to my project list.

 

[RicinYakima]

I have always had good results with surplus WWII magazines, but not the best for low speed SWC soft ball loads.

 

[fiver]

I was buying chip Mc Cormick magazines when they were like 20$ each.
I have never had an issue with the magazines that come with my Para's either.

I think they both buy check mate or mecgar and 're-brand' them.

 

[bruce381]

Mc cormick or tripp

 

[Petrol & Powder]

I have had 100% reliability with Wilson Combat 47 series magazines. That is with RN and SWC bullet profiles and HP's
Some folks think Wilson Combat mags are overpriced and I'll be the first to admit they are not cheap. However, in my experience, they do work.

I'll add a couple more points and then shut up:
I am not a fan of a box full of mismatched magazines. Find something that you like, that works with your loads and your pistol. Then standardize on that ONE make & type. When you find something that works - stick with it ! When you find that brand & type of magazine that works for you - sell off everything else. Trust me, you'll be happier in the end.
Not all 1911 magazine are the same. There are different styles of feed lips, there are different qualities of materials, etc.
Most 1911 magazines that will reliably feed SWC's will feed hollowpoints and ball ammo. I can't say that's an absolute but it seems to be a good starting point.

 

[JonB]

I sure am happy with the Checkmate mags I ordered for my RIA 1911 in 38 super.
I ordered from thunder mountain custom, they have the best prices that I've seen and they have lots of in stock product.

https://shop.1911parts.com/CheckMate-Industries-Magazines_c101.htm

 

[david s]

When S&W came out with there first version of the 1911 I bought one. It came with some ACT magazines out of Italy. These have been among my most reliable magazines.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

From the suggestions above. It sounds like a magazine designed for SW bullets has an advantage of feeding RN / SWC / HP bullets.
After looking at JonB's link. The question of SS versus Blued magazines came up. From my way of thinking. With proper care of the mags that question boils down to personal preference.
Also i saw some magazines had a plastic removeable base plate. Is that another unimportant part to break.

 

[Brad]

What mags work depend so much on OAL and your gun.
My gun let me know quite loudly that my loads with an SWC were not going to work in the hybrid lip magazines. With the GI lips it is reliable as hell.

 

[RicinYakima]

I think most SWC bullet designs before 1960 were made to feed with GI magazines. Lyman 452389 is probably the exception, as old timers had a hard time getting them to feed with more than 3.5 grains of Bullseye.

 

[JonB]

I bought the SS checkmate mags...Maybe that was the only ones available for 38 super? I don't recall?
anyway, the finish and the welds on those SS mags, were some of the nicest I have ever seen.