S&W 45 Mag Identification

[xfarfuldog]

I have seen some S&W brand magazines that look exactly like my 4506 mags. They are identified as 1911 magazines. If they are indeed 1911 mags they will not fit my gun. Did Smith ever make 8 round 45 mags for their 1911's that looked exactly like their third gen guns? (7 inline holes vs staggered 6 holes for the 1911's.)

 

[mod57]

Can you post some pictures of these magazines?
What do the followers look like? What type floorplates? Could just be mismarked?

 

[xfarfuldog]

Not able to post pics. Just saw them from the side. Had the 7 holes marked 2 thru 8, 45 cal, and S&W logo at the bottom. Also had the cut between # 4 and 5 hole towards the front. I have not seen S&W 1911 mags marked like that. Probably just mis-marked.

 

[jughed440]

Not sure about 1911s, but the early Performance Center 945s used the 4506 magazine with an extra slot cut into it. Later 945 mags had only 1 slot. Someone will provide a comparison pic.

 

[4T5GUY]

Someone will provide a comparison pic.

Do the mags fit/function in your 4506? As described they sound like 3rd Gen 8rnd .45 magazines.

Again as described they are not full size 8rnd 945 ones.

Jim

 

[xfarfuldog]

The mags are exactly as in 4T5GUY's post. The pic matches my 4506 mags. I do not have the mags in question in hand.

I do not own a 4506 right now. I do own a 4516 and the proper 7 round mags. I purchased my 4506 mags at a gun show last week because they were available.

After another look, my 8 round mags are 945 mags not 4506 mags. They lock in and lock the slide back on my 4516. I didn't realize there was a difference between the 4506 and 945 mags..

 

[shawn mccarver]

4500 Series magazines do not interchange with 1911 magazines.

 

[4T5GUY]

4500 Series magazines do not interchange with 1911 magazines.

Nor do any 945 mags fit/function in any 3rd Gens. Except if they have two magazine release cuts.

Image is just a for instance. It's of the compacts but relevant.

Jim

 

[xfarfuldog]

What is the difference in the 945 mag vs the 4506? I can see the physical difference in 4T5GUY's pictures. My full size mags look like the mag on the left in the earlier pic. It does seem to function in my 4516.

 

[4T5GUY]

What is the difference in the 945 mag vs the 4506?

None.

Other than the different location of the magazine release slot in the mag body itself.

Interesting to me the 8rnd 945 mags I have are harder to load. The springs are actually longer than the other 8rnd mags I have. The 945 mags are as new and haven't been rebuilt.

Edit to add.

My full size 945 is a very low number LEW of the first run. Not sure if that's why the mag springs are different. (?)

Jim