Yes, I think it is time to have this dreaded discussion. I have been doing a lot of listening and reading on 1911 mags. Everyone has their favorite mags. I have ONLY had experiece with WC 8 and 10rd mags. One of my 10rd mags does not function well in my WC CQB, but other than that they have all run well and have THOUSANDS of rounds through them at several different training classes.
Back to the discussion. Reading various 1911 forums, it seems that a lot of folks like ACT and Chip mags. A lot of folks don’t like WC mags. Interested in learning more, I spoke to a 1911 smith that has taken the time to measure a bunch of different companies mags for consistency. What did he find? That WC comes were the most consistent of ANY mag he has tested to date. Mags that follow the same specs “consistently” tend to be more reliable. The mag journey to continues…
Discussing 1911 mags is like discussing religion. I don’t believe anyone else’s hype and use what works best for me and what I’m most comfortable with. For every 'smith that measures random samples and finds that WC is most consistent, there’s another that has done the same with McCormick, Tripp, ACT, etc.
To date, I have NOT found anyone that has taken apart 30-50 mags and MIC’d them as this guy has done. If you can prove me wrong, please point me towards the URL.
Read that, which is why I found it interesting that this 1911 smith advised that the Chip mags were crap as far as consistency goes. I will have to ask him if he has checked out the Tripp mags.
I am simply talking about how consistently the mags are made (not how they perform). You can have mags that are all over the place and function perfectly in your gun. All it implies is that the manufacturers QC levels and or ability to produce the same mag over and over again to the same set of specs is lacking.
If a mag runs well in your weapon then that is a great. However, it might NOT run well in someone elses 1911. In order to make mag recommendations, it is FAR better to go with mags that are made the same way everytime VS ones that are not.
I only know what works for me. I have used CMC Power Mags and Wilson 47D’s in all classes where I shot the 1911.
None have failed to date.
These mags are also used in other 1911’s I own. None have failed to date.
I recommend Wilson or CMC Power Mags. I have observed “wiggle room” in nearly every 1911 mag well – from Colt’s, Kimbers, Customs, etc. The tolerances can’t be THAT tight.
While I appreciate the advise and experiences of the 1911 gurus that are out and about, a 1911 owner will drive themselves completely crazy trying to follow all of their recommendations, often at the expense of second guessing something that has worked very well in the past.
I used stock Colt 7rd mags for years. They worked fine. When they didn’t, they were thrown away. Now I use Wilson 47D 8 rounders. They work flawlessly FOR ME in MY WEAPON. Never understood and never will how me liking something is the same as me saying what someone else has is shit. Its different for everybody.
My gunsmiths as well as some friends at the Prancing Pony factory down the street have said the same thing you have heard Grant that mag for mag, Wilsons are the most consistent but that doesn’t mean that others are not GTG as well. You are going to love getting into this 1911 stuff!
I am pretty certain that Novak does NOT make their own mags. I believe that ACT makes them. Those mags have been checked for consistency and it wasn’t good (that doesn’t mean they won’t run in peoples 1911’s).
I’ve had good luck with the 7 rnd Wilson’s. They seem to have a longer follower that would theoretically offer more resistance to tipping (of the follower). But I have no evidence to back up that theory.
I’m sure you have seen the multi page discussions about mags over at the 10-8 forums about mags. The consensus over there is the CMC Powermag tube and Tripp 7 rnd conversion.
From a ‘make it right’ perspective, I might look at including one or two of the Tripp Cobra mags with your pistols, or some of the CMC/Tripp hybrids.
From a strictly business perspective, I might just buy about a 1000 Wilson mags (either the 47’s or 47D’s) and include 1 or 2 with each gun. A large percentage of shooters will use them as-is, while those that don’t like Wilson’s probably already have a bucket load of their favorite mags anyway. You are still supplying a quality mag, but it’s a lot less expensive than the gourmet models some of the HSLD types like.
