SIGforum
Finally Joined the 1911 Club. Magazine Question from the Nubie

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/2460098274

July 30, 2020, 10:31 AM
Jim Watson
Finally Joined the 1911 Club. Magazine Question from the Nubie
Back when the 1911 was USGI and everybody was happy with 7 rounds of hardball, the guns and magazines were all built to the same specifications and interchangeable.

Nowadays, there are so many brands made by people who think they are smarter than John Browning and customers demanding more shots with funny shaped bullets, it is kind of a crapshoot.
All the above brands will, like a Jaguar automobile, occasionally work perfectly.
I prefer McCormick Power Mags and think their RPM is worth a look.
July 30, 2020, 01:32 PM
ador
Congratulations on acquiring that fine pistol. I use Wilson Combat ETM on my 1911 (.45 cal and 9mm). Tripp Cobra and Chip McCormick are excellent magazines also.


_______________________
P228 - West German
July 30, 2020, 02:21 PM
az4783054
I prefer WILSON, but I have a number of KIMBER and McCORMICK as well.

A lot of people buy their range magazines from this place. I have no experience with them, just passing it on...

https://joes1911magmania.net/
July 30, 2020, 03:01 PM
WKirk
Thanks for all the info. I see that TGS has the Wilson 47 and ETM 500 in stock. I'll start by picking up one of each.

I see that Wilson also makes a 500 ETM HD/+P. Is this necessary if I occasionally shoot +P's?
July 30, 2020, 03:17 PM
az4783054
Greg Cote was previously suggested. He's a member here. His shipping is very reasonable compared to most other sources...

http://gregcotellc.com/cart/index.php
July 30, 2020, 06:00 PM
Belwolf
AS others mentioned, can't go wrong with McCormick and Wilson.



“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.”
― John Adams

"Fire can be our friend; whether it's toasting marshmallows, or raining down on Charlie."
- Principal Skinner.


July 30, 2020, 06:52 PM
maxwayne
I have used the Shooting Star 8 rounders for over 20 years with no problems.
July 30, 2020, 10:33 PM
captain127
quote:
Originally posted by WKirk:
Thanks for all the info. I see that TGS has the Wilson 47 and ETM 500 in stock. I'll start by picking up one of each.

I see that Wilson also makes a 500 ETM HD/+P. Is this necessary if I occasionally shoot +P's?

Just a marketing gimmick to basically say the etm is a heavy duty hard use magazine
August 01, 2020, 05:45 PM
SnakeEater
quote:
Originally posted by captain127:
quote:
Originally posted by WKirk:
Thanks for all the info. I see that TGS has the Wilson 47 and ETM 500 in stock. I'll start by picking up one of each.

I see that Wilson also makes a 500 ETM HD/+P. Is this necessary if I occasionally shoot +P's?

Just a marketing gimmick to basically say the etm is a heavy duty hard use magazine


This is incorrect. The HD/+P uses a flat wire spring that won't wear out. Definitely worth it.

Another piece of misinformation to ignore are the recommendations on the 47D. That mag crams 8 rounds into a 7 round tube and is notorious for springs weakening. Not recommended, even by Bill Wilson himself.

If you want the best, there are 3 choices: ETM-V, ETM HD/+P, and Tripp.
August 01, 2020, 06:19 PM
wxl
Tripp mags
August 01, 2020, 06:41 PM
John3200
Wilson Combat mags are the best 1911 mags out there.

Maybe, after you get the 1911 affliction out of you, you'll go out and by the better "1911" and get a P220 SAO.
August 01, 2020, 08:38 PM
bald1
quote:
Originally posted by John3200:

Maybe, after you get the 1911 affliction out of you, you'll go out and by the better "1911" and get a P220 SAO.


Man, you're on quite a roll here. You start a thread complaining about this forum not hosting pictures attracting comments from Para, and now you insult the OP of this thread about his having chosen a 1911. Are you off your meds or what?



Certifiable member of the gun toting, septuagenarian, bucket list workin', crazed retiree, bald is beautiful club!
USN (RET), COTEP #192
August 02, 2020, 05:16 AM
ogive40
Congrats..nice gun.
You will find that most quality mags will run fine in that gun.

What may differ is that some mags will contribute to smoother feeding. I like the 7 rounders from Checkmate and Wilson. The Tripp follower mag mod in a 7 round body really run seamless.

Wilson 8 rounders run great too.


__________________________
NRA Member

"The final weapon is the brain, all else is supplemental."
John Steinbeck
August 02, 2020, 06:02 AM
henryaz
 
Every individual 1911 seems to prefer one brand of mag over the others, while some guns work with several different brands. Try all the top names and find what works best in your gun. The names already mentioned are all good. In my Colt Govt. models, I did not like Tripp, Chip McCormick or Checkmate, for different reasons. Each had quirks (in my gun). I liked Metalform and the Wilsons. The Wilson 47Ds worked well, but I much preferred the Wilson ETMs.



When in doubt, mumble
August 02, 2020, 11:25 AM
inspcalahan
After carrying and using 1911's over many years, I prefer the Wilsons.
Wilson Combat ETM and Wilson 47Ds specifically.

That said, the offerings from Tripp are nice but very expensive, McCormick, Brown among others...
August 02, 2020, 04:26 PM
copaup
I'm a 1911 fan (currently have 5). Dan Wesson builds a fantastic production gun. My Valor is a really well made pistol. You chose well.

As far as magazines go, I like Tripp Research Cobra Mags, Chip McCormick Powermags (now owned by Wilson), and Wilson Combat (I'm not fond of the 47d though, the springs seem to loose tension quickly) for 8 rounders. Almost any 7 round magazine works well in my guns. I tend to replace the springs and followers in problematic magazines with Tripp Super 7 kits. I'd rather have an absolutely reliable 7 round magazine than an iffy 8 rounder.

I've seen reviews of Metalform and Checkmate magazines where people have had great results, but my only experience with them is as OEM magazines that just get used as range mags.
August 02, 2020, 08:46 PM
Pickle Rick
For me it's Wilson. I have been running these like forever. Enjoy your DW. Good choice. Pickle Rick!


______________________________
" Formally known as GotDogs "
August 03, 2020, 07:47 AM
henryaz
 
I want a mag that feeds flawlessly, drops free easily, and does not push the top round forward, thus causing jams.



When in doubt, mumble
August 03, 2020, 08:02 AM
cslinger
Asking about 1911 mags is akin to asking somebody’s religion. Smile

I like WIlson and Chip McCormick....who I think are owned by WIlson now. Ed Brown mags have been solid for me as well.

Keep in mind 1911 mags are a weak point on the 1911 and make sure you check them periodically for cracks, lip spread etc.

Also just because a certain mag is known to be top tier doesn’t automatically mean it will run reliably in YOUR gun. Make sure to buy one or two to demo if you will before settling on one and buying a bunch.

Also there are other great mags out there. The above are just my pref.


"Guns are tools. The only weapon ever created was man."
August 03, 2020, 10:02 AM
rkentm
I will add my vote for Tripp Research mags. They have been flawless in all my 1911's, both .45 and 10mm.


_________________________

"Ladies and Gentlemen - The Fit has hit the Shan!"