My gun is totally reliable with the factory 8 round mags but I'd like to get a couple of flush fit mags for carry.

I've read that some magazines should be avoided with aluminum frame 1911's. Does anybody have any opinions on Mec-Gar 7 round mags? Any other suggestions for this gun will be appreciated. Thanks!

My gun is totally reliable with the factory 8 round mags but I'd like to get a couple of flush fit mags for carry.

I've read that some magazines should be avoided with aluminum frame 1911's. Does anybody have any opinions on Mec-Gar 7 round mags? Any other suggestions for this gun will be appreciated. Thanks!

I can't comment on Mec-gar because I've never used them but, IMO the best 1911 mags made today are Tripp cobra mags. Tripp also sells spring and follower kits that are top quality also.

My favorite magazine available would be a Chip McCormick (CMC) Powermag with a Tripp Research kit in it.

Any magazine with a welded base is obsolete, in my opinion. They need to be taken apart and cleaned regularly.

Wilsons have issues with follower wear and feed lip creep. When they work, however, they work very well. The springs wear quickly, but ISMI makes a great replacement spring that greatly enhances life.

CMC Powermags fantastic mags, and I prefer them to Wilsons by a large margin, based largely on a much beefier tubes and springs. I dont care for the Devel follower, but they work.

Tripp makes great mags, but I dont care for their tube nearly as well as CMC's. The newest iteration is far improved over the first, but still not the best. I think they source their tubes from Metalform. Their follower and spring is second to none, however.

ACT/Novak/PSI, Metalform, and MecGar all make magazines that certain folks love. I feel they are also-rans, and offer nothing over the major players in the market mentioned above.

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Science plus Art

Thanks for your responses so far. Any info to be had about followers damaging aluminum framed pistols?

I have read that the open plate style followers that e.g. Chip McCormick uses can hit the aluminum feed ramp and gouge it.

I use only magazines with solid followers in my SW1911PD, e.g. Les Baer magazines.

If you check out the Kimber websites, you'll see threads about the alloy frame guns being gouged by McCormick type of followers. The occupants of those forums all recommend the Wilson type of follower.

I had this question addressed to Smith and they had no reservations about the McCormicks because of the hardnes of the scandium.

Mark

You had better luck with S&W than I did Rundel. The customer service guy I spoke to said it was impossible for a mag to cause any damage to any pistol. Then he cautioned that I'd be cursed for life for not using an origonal S&W mag.

My 1911Sc likes Novaks, Mec-Gars, Wilsons, CMC's, Millet's and almost anything else that is out there. I can see NO damage on anything....hope that helps.
Randy

I have had mixed results with Mec-Gars for the 1911. They make excellent mags, but I had one with a concave follower that would not function well in my 1911's. You cannot go wrong with Wilson-Rogers mags. Pricey, but for "my life depends on it" expense is not a consideration.

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Baptist Pastor, Chaplain TCSO

I have checkmate flush 7 & 8 rounders. The 7 rounderws are a sure bet, the 8 rounders may or may not fit flush when full. It depends on your gun.

Mec-Gar are excellent magazines. Stay away from Chip McCormick magazines with the devel follower. They WILL scratch and gouge the aluminum feed ramps in an aluminum framed gun when the follower shifts forward under recoil.

Thanks to all for your help. Looks like the consensus is that Mec-Gars should be OK with my gun. Off to find a supply, Midway was out the last time I checked.

Try this guy. I've bought several mags from him. Excellent products and excellent service with very fast shipping.

About half way down the post you will find:

"1911 8 round .45 ACP 17-7 stainless steel (this is the newly redesigned magazine with a polymer floorplate and follower) $21.95"

or here:
http://www.topgunsupply.com/mec-gar/

Thanks Texagun, I'll check them out.

The issue that you have "read about" is that the mags with the so-called "Shooting Star" follower will scrape up the front wall of the mag well in aluminum pistols due to the sharp point of the follower riding forward and sticking out the front of the mag tube.

First, you do not have an aluminum framed pistol. You have scandium, which is tougher. S&W sells the mags with shooting star followers for its pistols on its web site. I asked this question to S&W and they said not to worry about it.

However, to avoid any issues, get a mag that still holds 8, is reliable and does not use the shooting star follower.

Some reliable mags that fit this category that I have personal experience with are Wilson, ACT Mag and MecGar.

I believe S&W supplies ACT Mags with its new 1911s, or at least they did. Novak's mags are made by ACT Mag last time I checked. Wilson's were supplied as standard in the beginning, but they changed to ACT Mags. Just use those if this issue concerns you.

Thanks Shawn. Ordered a couple of 7 round Mec-Gars on Thursday. Thanks to all for your help!