I was thinking about adding a Magwell to my CRG. Thoughts?
How much should it cost? My gunsmith tell me he likes Smith and Alexander ? Opinions ? I know Brown and Wilson are the gold standard, but how is Smith Alexander magwells?
Also, Im picking up a sweet NHC Heinie PDP, and it of course has no Maxwell so I was considering sending it to NHC for a Magwell, but I doubt it.
The whole thing has me thinking Mag or no Maxwell?
The 1911 Flu Bug is a nasty one !!
PB
How do you plan to use it? Competition that allows magwells, sure. It’ll definitely be beneficial when you’re competing with others with them. Self defense and typical range use, nope.
But if you really like magwells, then go for it. My opinion shouldn’t matter.
These are the GOLD Standard in Magwells IMHO; http://www.chencustom.com/magwells-1
I never liked 'em on a carry gun because they add a little weight, width, and length, and if the magwell manages to get twisted your SOL. I would only consider a one-piece for a carry gun.
I competed in single stack quite a bit with no magwell and did ok, but I was using a carry pistol.
Smith and Alexander is pretty tried and true. The EGW weld on is the most beneficial and it doesn’t stick out like an IPSC open gun either. Frankly I think it’s very subtle and probably easier to use than most 1pc mainspring/mag well combos.
Every 8-round 1911 mag that I know of sticks out way bast the bottom of the grip, so it really isn’t adding a whole lot to the footprint.
Pb - I had SACS add a Wilson Bullet Proof magwell to my CRG and I love it. I think every 1911 deserves a magwell.
My carry 1911 from Mars Armament has a S&A, and my range use has a two-pice Wilson Combat Speed-Chute. Both were contoured with the mag well.
So very Nice. Well done
I’m in agreement with Wake on the desireability of a magwell on a 1911.
The one (or two) piece units add 3/8"± to the bottom of grip frame- which as Wake pointed out is a non issue with slam pads on your mags.
The weld (sliver solder) on units require the grip frame be cut- and you end up with a standard grip frame dimension.
The one piece units are much easier and cheaper on install. The only issue is blending the magwell to the frame (per Wakes last photo).
Im going to pull the trigger on my CRG, the NHC, will be a bigger decision to make that change.
As I recall, S&A has a pretty good reputation, but that was before NHC and Wilson were doing one-peice magwells.
For me they’re like forward cocking serrations: If I’m given the choice, I’ll take them, they make life easier for me, but I don’t need them.
Having a mag well on my gun does noticeably slow me down when I’m using a 1911 without one, though. With the mag well, I can pretty much treat my 1911 reloads like a double-stack handgun. Without it, I have to slow down quite a bit to make sure I get the back of the magazine indexed inside the well before slapping it home.
I would have to agree. Slow you down but I have a SA Pro with magwell should I require one. My gunsmith said roughly $110 installed, so CRG, here it comes.
PB
I’ve been using a S&A for years on my CQB and it’s super solid, but I’m going with a Techwell TGO on the 1911 I’m having built currently…they load super easy and require no modifications to your gun if that’s a big deal to you.
Wow. Pretty interesting. For that price you can’t go wrong.
The Dawson Ice is one I’ve seen and heard spoken of by the serious competition 1911 guys.
I went with an S&A on my SACS 1911. Due to SACS front strap checkering(It was a loaded model originally), the front tips of the magwell extended out 1/8 of an inch. I called S&A, spoke with the owner who said I could dremel/sand/blend it, then mail it to him. He re-blued it for free within a week and sent it back.
It’s a great design, it attaches to thier grip panels and is super solid…and designed by The Great One (Rob Leatham). It’s been on alot of the guns that have been winning Nationals and World shoots since it’s been out.
That is a sweat looking pistol
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yes it is ! agreed 100%
OP- just keep looking at it until you have to have it. I love having a magwell on my 1911! I have a blended one and can very much appreciate it.