Colt GCNM Series 70 - mag question

[40Arpent]

So my fiancé got me a new-production GCNM Series 70 for my birthday last month, and I finally got to the range with it earlier today. 250 rounds of crap range ammo and it performed very well, not a single hiccup. Here is my question. When I try inserting Wilson 47D or Tripp magazines, once the mag is about 2/3rds of the way in, I get a lot of resistance, so much so that it feels like I’m gonna mess something up if I go any farther. They will fully seat with quite a bit of force. The factory mags just slide right in with little resistance (and performed just fine). Can anyone tell me what the deal here is?

Thanks,
Pete

[the.batman]

40Arpent

In my opinion, what you are experiencing is the top edge of the magazine incorrectly interfacing with the lead in chamfer on the bottom of the magazine release. Unlike the Colt magazines, Wilson and Tripp magazines have the thickest allowable magazine tube dimensions for strength and durability. Occasionally the thick mag tubes are wide enough to “over engage” the lead in chamfer of the magazine release. You can see the lead in chamfer cut on the bottom of the release (right side) in this picture-

I use Wilson ETM HD/+P magazines that have a small detent in the magazine tube (top right side of tube), to ease the mag tube under the magazine release chamfer upon insertion. The detent is designed to prevent the exact situation you are experiencing.

Regardless of whether your magazines have or don’t have a detent, in my experience, the fix is to increase the magazine release’s lead in chamfer, so that the release can be properly and smoothly moved out of the way by the thicker tubed Wilson and Tripp mags. If you know a good 1911 gunsmith- increasing the mag release chamfer is an easy fix. I know the Colt Custom shop can remedy this for you also.

[40Arpent]

@the.batman

40Arpent

In my opinion, what you are experiencing is the top edge of the magazine incorrectly interfacing with the lead in chamfer on the bottom of the magazine release. Unlike the Colt magazines, Wilson and Tripp magazines have the thickest allowable magazine tube dimensions for strength and durability. Occasionally the thick mag tubes are wide enough to “over engage” the lead in chamfer of the magazine release. You can see the lead in chamfer cut on the bottom of the release (right side) in this picture-

I use Wilson ETM HD/+P magazines that have a small detent in the magazine tube (top right side of tube), to ease the mag tube under the magazine release chamfer upon insertion. The detent is designed to prevent the exact situation you are experiencing.

Regardless of whether your magazines have or don’t have a detent, in my experience, the fix is to increase the magazine release’s lead in chamfer, so that the release can be properly and smoothly moved out of the way by the thicker tubed Wilson and Tripp mags. If you know a good 1911 gunsmith- increasing the mag release chamfer is an easy fix. I know the Colt Custom shop can remedy this for you also.

Thank you, Batman, I really appreciate such a thorough response. I also think you are spot-on with your analysis…if I depress the mag release button even the slightest amount, the mags slide right in.

I think I’ll just order a couple of the ETM mags. I don’t plan to do anything with the pistol except occasional paper punching just for fun.

Thanks again!!!

[81mmcat]

I think Batman is right on target my Dan Wesson was the same as yours 40arpent till I chamfered the mag release

[opngrnd]

@the.batman

40Arpent

In my opinion, what you are experiencing is the top edge of the magazine incorrectly interfacing with the lead in chamfer on the bottom of the magazine release. Unlike the Colt magazines, Wilson and Tripp magazines have the thickest allowable magazine tube dimensions for strength and durability. Occasionally the thick mag tubes are wide enough to “over engage” the lead in chamfer of the magazine release. You can see the lead in chamfer cut on the bottom of the release (right side) in this picture-

I use Wilson ETM HD/+P magazines that have a small detent in the magazine tube (top right side of tube), to ease the mag tube under the magazine release chamfer upon insertion. The detent is designed to prevent the exact situation you are experiencing.

Regardless of whether your magazines have or don’t have a detent, in my experience, the fix is to increase the magazine release’s lead in chamfer, so that the release can be properly and smoothly moved out of the way by the thicker tubed Wilson and Tripp mags. If you know a good 1911 gunsmith- increasing the mag release chamfer is an easy fix. I know the Colt Custom shop can remedy this for you also.

Awesome post! I experienced this a few times in the past with a stock 70 series myself. I always wondered what it was. Now I know.

[samuse]

Check-Mate mags (Colt OEM) also have the dimple that lets it slide past the mag catch.

Check-Mate 7 round wadcutter lip mags from Top Gun Supply are less than half the price of an ETM and will perform as well or better for paper punchin’…