I want to buy a dozen or so magazines for my two Norinco 1911A1 pistols. They don't seem to be finicky about magazines. I don't want to pay extra for "designer" or name-brand mags. I only shoot 230 grain factory hardball in my 1911s, 'cause I believe that is what God and John Moses Browning intended for them to shoot. I don't want eight round magazines. Just good, reliable 7 round mags that will feed 230 grain hardball every time, without a hitch.

I realize that this might be a topic more suited for another forum, but I "know" you folks a whole lot better than I do those folks on the other forum.

__________________
Georgia On My Mind

Don't know about "best value", but you can't go wrong with Wilson. They work all the time, every time.

Bill Mahnke
SWCA #1915

I guess the Wilson's go for $32 to $38 each, depending on how you want them configured. I use nothing but the #47 in competition. They are flawless.

On the other hand, Metalform magazines go for about $16 each, and I have never had one malfunction. They're made in Connecticut by one of the oldest magazine manufacturers in the country.

So, you pays yer money and you takes yer chances. I thoroughly test every magazine (>250 rounds) with the designated ammo before putting it into service, regardless of the application.

Hope this helps.


Bullseye


P.S.: These prices, etc., are for 7-round mags. I've never owned an 8-round mag. Can't imagine why I would.

__________________
Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

I like Wilson but they are not a "Value" nor am I a real 1911 expert. All I know is they always work and have a better follower than the traditional mag. Stay away from off brand junk.
A quick search on Midway has Colt and Chip 's on sale.
Shooting Supplies - Shop Everything for Your Firearm at MidwayUSA

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

Look at CDNN for Metalform Mags. I think these will be what you are looking for.

While I never had a "bad" magazine, I simply cannot get enough of them.

A few weeks ago, I bought four Chip McCormick mags at my local gun store. They were marked $21 but I guess they must have been on sale since I paid $17 for them. Not stainless as I wanted but they work.

If my life depended on them, Wilsons, for range work just about anything would do. I do like Metalform though.

__________________
I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

I use the Triple K mags from Cabelas' $15.00 ea.

They work very well in my Springfield.

I've tried to become impressed with the nameless blank $8 cheapies for range work.

They seem to do well for a short period of time and then they all go haywire.

Too bad, "they are SUCH a deal"....

Any of the high $ versions seem to work far far better and far far far longer.

Wish I could find some cheap reliable mags too.

__________________
Dum vivimus Vivamas

I like the McCormick Shooting Stars.

The best value for me is the Kimber Tac-Pro. Everything I want, 8 round, skirted follower, removable base plate, with 2 thicknesses of bumper pads, use either or neither. Buy 'em online for $17-18 each. They have worked flawlessly for me. I've read they are made for Kimber by Checkmate, but can't verify that. They're much better than the OEM mags Kimber supplies with their guns, too. I prefer them to Wilson & McCormack, both.

I purchased some new military surplus magazines (high standard) They were priced 10 for $39.95. They aren't Wilson's but they work fine. I use them for plinking and range use. I do have some high quality name brand magazines that I also use. I know that some people would turn their nose up at using military magazines, but they work fine for me.

I use Wilson Combat mags in my two Kimbers. They're stainless construction with a hard plastic floorplate cover. Nice quality, absolutely reliable.

I agree with others that Wilson would be my first choice, always reliable. For less expensive, McCormick and Metalform (I think they make the OEM mags Colt 1911s) are also very good. In fact, I've never had an issue with any of my McCormick, or Metalform mags. For best value, I'd look for either of them, on sale.

I really don't know why I buy the more expensive Wilson's, when the others have always worked reliably, maybe it's because they cost more $$, so it makes me feel better about them not failing when it counts...? I can say that the real cheapies are not worth buying. And, I can't believe what a piece of junk the mags are that came with my Custom Shop Kimber. Pretty lame move, on their part, to provide a lousy/cheap mag, with an expensive gun...

__________________
NRA Life Member

^^^ I agree.

I'm dumbfounded why Kimber doesn't supply one or two of these with their new guns. The ones they give out with their guns are really not very good.

I bought handful from a lady at the gunshow a couple of weeks ago for $7 each. They were marked Colt, but I don't believe they were original Colt magazines, as they had the written "COLT" stamped on them, but not the rampant Colt symbol like my factory mags. They work fine, however, and are like the Colt mags in every other detail I can see.

On duty and competition 45acp Chip McCormick Power Mags and I installed Tripp followers.

Officers Model...Colt, Tripp and I bought two Metalform stainless mags. I use the Colt in the gun and carry the Metalform as secondary. I have qualified with these and they work great.

My buddy bought two of the metalform blue officers mags and was not getting lockback on empty. I discovered the followers were snug in the mag body. I thinned them down (plastic follower) with sandpaper and reinstalled. they definitely track better in the mag. He will qualify in April and use the mags then.

I'm a solid fan of the Chip McCormick eight round "Power Mag" I have an even dozen and they work flawlessly in my 1911. My two cents.

De Oppresso Liber

Stay away from Pro Mags.

__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Same here. I'm running them in a S&W 1911 in Single Stack.
No problems with the equipment.

__________________
Science plus Art

At the bigger gun shows find the guy who just sells magazines.
We have a guy, Phil, retired PO from NY who comes to the local shows in PA. He only sells magazines & grips.
The military contract mags that are grey parked and come in a plastic bag, they are rapped in an aluminum paper and date 1980's. They have the contractors number on the mag base versus makers letter on the base toe like the WWII ones. These can be had for $8-10.00 each buy the 10 you want they work and they go bang every time.
Good enough for the killin' fields good enough for the range right?
Adam

__________________
Adam-12

This is about what I have decided to do. I have several gun show magazines I bought 25 years ago and stuck back. They recently "floated to the top" and I started testing them. I figure if a magazine fires 100 rounds of hardball through each of my two Norcs without a hiccup, it is probably good to go. I have tested and marked four so far, and I have a couple more to go. I figure I need about twenty reliable magazines for the two guns, so ten or a dozen more should do it. I am going to a pretty good show in Columbus, GA Saturday, and I'll be on the lookout for the feller selling magazines. thanks for that heads up on what to look for. I believe I have seen those surplus magazines at shows before.

__________________
Georgia On My Mind

McCormick is the best value I feel. But I have more Wilson mags than McCormick. I think of them as an investment since I will always have a 1911 around.

Something to consider. Whatever you buy, buy one and see how it works in your gun. 1911 magazines will differ slightly.

Wilson magazines in my DW Bobtail will not lock back after the last round but McCormick mags do. And one of my Kimber won't feed reliably with McCormick.

Kanewpaddle,
I had the locking back problem with my DW VBOB, I switched the slide lock to a Wilson Combat Bulletproof and all works fine now with my Wilson Combat mags.

Why's that, Bullseye? Nine rounds better than eight, no? Curious as to your thinking. Thanks.

I have read that a lot of the current mil surp mags are Chinese made copies and not too good.

I am partial to this Checkmate mag:
Check-Mate .45ACP, 7RD, Blue, Hybrid, CMF - Full Size 1911 Magazine - Top Gun Supply
The hybrid lip and extra power spring makes for a very reliabe 1911 mag. TopGun supply ships very quickly.

Lately, I have read some good reviews of the mags on this site...I have not tried any, probably wont since I like the Checkmate above so much.
Welcome to Joe's 1911 Mag Mania! Crazy Low Prices!!

'Cause I only load five. Competition, not carry.


Bullseye

__________________
Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

Absolutely plus one. The only difference is that I call CMI directly. They give a price break at 7, and there are more discounts for greater quantities. There is also a LEO/military discount.

__________________
Where's my dad's America?

There may be other reliable brands, but you can't go wrong with Colt.

I believe Checkmate makes the magazines for Colt...

+1 on McCormick. I've actually carried them as front-line mags in my duty gun and off-duty gun. You can get them for about $14 if you shop around.

__________________
LEO since 1981.

Back about 1998, I was working a parttime security job in a supermarket. I was in uniform, carrying my 1911. I was standing at the front of the store when I heard a "SPROING!" sound, followed by small, hard objects hitting the floor. I looked down and saw .45 cartridges on the floor. The welded floorplate had popped off/out. I swapped mags from my pouch and gathered up the spring, follower, and cartridges.

The mag was stamped either "CR" or "CS" on the bottom and I had checked it about a week earlier and saw no indications that it would fail. I'm guessing that I had been using that magazine for 20 plus years.

__________________
John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!