1911 Series E - magazine problem

[Geo9547]

When I purchased this gun in February it came with two stainless steel magazines. I have not been able to load the magazines with the slide closed no matter how hard I “slapped” it in. It just would not go. I have to have the slide locked back in order to get the mag in. With the slide open the mag does not fit tight, it goes up and down about 1/4 inch. When I rack the slide it is finally tight but it has caused over time, some failure to feeds. I thought I it would work itself out (over 1,500 rounds later) but it hasn’t and the failure to feeds are increasing.

At the same time I bought the gun I bought an extra mag. It was different than the other two in that it was black. The stainless steel ones had no marking except for "45 ACP". The black one was marked ACT-MAG ITALY. It works, in that I can load it with the slide closed and no mis-feeds.

I made some measurements and found that the distance from the mag lock hole to the top of the mag just under the bullet head on the black one is 1.056 and both of the stainless steel ones are 1.130. I believe this is why the stainless steel ones won’t go in when the slide is closed where the black one will.

I have emailed S&W customer service to replace the two stainless mags with the black ACT-MAG.

Anyone else seen this problem? Other suggestions?

 

[ColColt]

Fail to feed or FTRTB issues? I'd get rid of those ACT mags and get a few Checkmate mags...or Wilson. Either will trump the ones you have. Magazines are the heart of the 1911 and it pays to get the best ones. Invest in some Wolff springs as good insurance.

 

[312_Main]

Toss out those mags and get a couple of Wilsons. Two came with my Pro-Series and have never failed after thousands of rounds. I also use another 10 in rotation with never a problem.
Mike

 

[wingnuut]

My new 1911e will load but i have to hit the bottom of the mag real hard then once it's in it's very hard to push mag release in,if i use 7 bullets all is very easy, the mags from my ruger sr1911 work perfect in the S&W

 

[wingnuut]

did some measurements the S&W mag looks to be a 7 rnd. mag it is quater inch shorter than my 8 rnd ruger also look at side of S&W mag the holes on the side as bullet indicators only 6 my ruger has 7 , my 7 rnd ruger mag has 6 I think their trying to stuff us with 7 rnd mags ,I will be at S&W mondday to show them this.

 

[scooter123]

As others have noted get some Wilson magazines. My favorite is the 47-D. It's an 8 round magazine that is easy to load, has proven 100% reliable, and not a backbreaker in terms of cost at 34 dollars. It's take some time but I now have 8 47-D's and it makes shooting at the range more pleasureable.

 

[Denver Dick]

Only Wilson's 47-D magazines, both 7rd and 8rd, since 1995 in both SA and Colt 1911s. Never a magazine failure.

 

[Rpg]

I wouldn’t dream of spending $34 for a 1911 magazine.

I buy 1911 magazines for no more than $10 each: more expensive doesn’t equal better functioning magazines in my experience.

I test each magazine I buy in all my 1911’s: if one won’t work flawlessly in all my 1911’s, I throw it out.

Without regard to price, I’ve found that about 10% of the magazines I buy won’t meet my requirements.

I’m not surprised that OP finds some magazines don’t work in his gun. He should throw them away and get some new ones: they need not be high priced, cheaper works just fine.