1911 Mags run amok

[rob_s]

I actually picked up the newer Wilsons after dropping the 1911 to run the Glock for 2008. I got a chance to shoot with them a couple of times, and I like them fine.

Obviously from the pic, I'm a CMC Powermag guy bigtime. I generally prefer them to the standard Wilson 47D, but I think the new Wilsons are growing on me. Of course, I hear theres a new version of the CMC out too, so once I get back into 1911 shooting I'll obviously need 4 of those (4 is my typical IDPA layout and I generally buy new magazines in groups of 4, and I have another ETM floating around somewhere).

[DM-SC]

I have been shooting the Wilson ETM's for a short while. I've had no issues with them so far.

I bought 10 of the CMC Power Mag Plus's but, I haven't fired a single round from them! Heavens! All that money just sitting there!

[Line Rider]

SWEEET

[toddackerman]

I am a fan of the Wilson ETM mags...thoughts?

Mace

You won't be after you leave them loaded for long periods of time and their already weak springs start to fail on last round slide locks. They also have a problem with feed lip spread. That's why they're replacing them. Measure yours in the middle of the feed lips with a caliper. They should be .485" +/- .005". If they are beyond that...send them to Wilson and they will replace them.

If you want asuperior Mag go to www.trippresearch.com, and look at the 8 round Cobra mag.

[Razorhunter]

Don't bother paying the premium for the new CMC mags. It's only a new follower, and one should ditch the CMC follower and install a Tripp Research follower kit anyhow...
I think Cobramags RULE all personally....

[Ned Christiansen]

The Cobramags are good in my book, too. I don't know what the new CMC is but I wonder if it has the new spit follower, looks like the Devel/CMC but with a skirt down the front-- a huge imporvement I believe. I never had good luck with the Devel follower--starting with a real Devel mag in maybe '79, on up to last time I tried one, probably a year ago. This new skirted-front Devel style follower has a new patent number (ending in 907 if memory serves), and I just saw one in a mag that came with a Kimber Warrior, and Virgil Tripp offers them.

One thing I've learned about magazines, a strong mag spring is a big help, and grows exponentially in importance as the stroke and slide mass of the gun are reduced....Commander, LW Commander, Officers length, Ultra Compact.... etc. Springs in the Tripps, like any spring, come in at X strength, after just a few cycles it is reduced, but then they really haver staying power and are always, in my testing, stronger by 50%-ish than anything else out there.

But it's like the dresser drawers in a Three Stooges scene-- a drawer is out, so you push it in. This causes another drawer to pop out, and when you push it in-- you get the idea. Stronger mag springs will tend to spread the lips more. Think about what happens every time the slide moves back-- as the breachface clears the top round in the mag, WHAM, that round shoots up and is stopped by the feed lips. After a bunch of repeats, they can start to spread. I have not seen this with the Tripp mag bodies yet but I don't shoot as much as some folks.

I've turned a lot of bad mags into good ones but just adding the Tripp Super-7 kit. New spring and follower.... not super easy to get in, but once in, any Colt or Metalform is GTG in my experience. Back to the Department of You Don't Get Something For Nothing, in these mags I like to TIG the floorplate on since, well, they do pop off once in a while even without an extra-strong spring. Just a little insurance.

Not meaning to sound like a Tripp Research infomercial here but those are my findings.

[MaceWindu]

I attended a Pistol class last weekend. (3) shooters ran 1911's, including myself. We all ran Wilson ETM mags. About 750-1000 each. No issues to report, all mags ran well...


Mace

[toddackerman]

[QUOTE=Ned Christiansen;257516]
But it's like the dresser drawers in a Three Stooges scene-- a drawer is out, so you push it in. This causes another drawer to pop out, and when you push it in-- you get the idea. Stronger mag springs will tend to spread the lips more. Think about what happens every time the slide moves back-- as the breachface clears the top round in the mag, WHAM, that round shoots up and is stopped by the feed lips. After a bunch of repeats, they can start to spread. I have not seen this with the Tripp mag bodies yet but I don't shoot as much as some folks.


[QUOTE]

Ned,

I agree with everything you have said including your beliefs on Feed Lip Spread. This is why after I thoroughly test my Cobra Mags for carry, I don't use them for anything else. I have not experienced ANY feedlip spread in almost a year now with the 8 Cobra Mags that I dedicate to CCW. I have 2 loaded at all times, and rotate them in and out at the first of every month to let them rest so each Mag is resting for 3 months before it's put back into service. (Not sure this is needed but Hilton Yam suggests it.)

I us well worn Mags of every variety for my raining sessions. Some of them even have cracked feed lips and the springs on some probably have over 10,000 rounds on them. Yes they do Malf. occaisionally, but that is good for failure drills.

I also had bad luck with the original Devel follower dating back to 1979.

[macman37]

Here I thought I was Captain Cool with 19 1911 mags.

[Dave_M]

It's funny the things you realize when you're packing up to move. These magazines were scattered all over the house, in no less than 3 shooting bags and one range-tote ammo can, loaded with no less than 5 types of ammo in various mixtures, etc.

Heh, I know the feeling. Whenever I clean something out (a drawer or a dresser or whatever) I manage to find some loose ammo or a magazine every time.