How Do I Identify An Authentic S&W 1911 Magazine?

[dfs2006]

The two 8 round mags I got with my PC1911 fit tightly. I can feel them scraping when they slide in and the finish is wearing off already. I have only 10 mags through the gun so far. The foot plate also looks generic as opposed to being made for this gun. They have no ID except for "45 ACP" stamped on the left side. No S&W name or logo.

In contrast, my Ruger SR1911 mags have Ruger logos, slide in and out of my PC1911 perfectly with no scraping and have foot plates that look like they were made for the Smith. The front lip has a small rise that fits into the notch on the front strap perfectly.

I looked on the S&W website but I didn't see any 1911 mags listed for some reason. I am starting to wonder if I have authentic S&W mags or cheap generic replacements. I bought the gun new from a very reputable dealer and have no reason to believe he switched them but they are so bad I have to wonder if somewhere along the line someone did switch them.

How can I tell if they are S&W mags?

 

[Hohopelli]

Magazines are pretty generic in the 1911 world and are universal. Typically Metalform, Mec-gar, etc.. Much like AR magazines.. The bottom line is "if it runs, you're GTG"

 

[dfs2006]

That's kind of my point. So far they feed but they do not fit properly. It's not just a minor scraping. I can feel them scraping almost all the way in.

 

[Rpg]

S&W has succeeded again in messing up an opportunity.

Buy cheap 1911 mags.

I have many: average cost under $12.00.

 

[epj]

The stock mags are by ACT. Call S&W. I'm sure they will send you new ones. Mine are the same as far as markings. They run fine. Get some Wilson 47D's or Kimber pro Tac mags. They run fine as well. If you don't want to spend $30+ for mags, buy MecGar. They will run and are reasonably priced.

 

[dfs2006]

Cheap mags, or more precisely, inexpensive mags are OK as long as they fit. I'll call them tomorrow. I have to talk to them anyway. FYI, the Ruger's are .541 thick and the Smiths are .547 thick. I guess that tiny little bit is just enough to not fit.

 

[dfs2006]

I called in about the bad magazines and he said they know about the problem and they will send two more of the same to me.

 

[epj]

Don't think Checkmates are generally considered "junk mags". S&W generally has MecGar make their mags, but I don't think they make 1911 mags, since everyone else in the world does. Get the new mags and see how they do. Have you tried those mags in another 1911? might be something in the mag well they are dragging on.

 

[dfs2006]

The Smith mags are tight in my Ruger as well. The Ruger mags slide in and out freely on both guns. The Smith CS guy said in so many words that some work and some don't and he'll ship me two more. I told him they should check them to see if they are within spec before they ship and he just said they are in a warehouse and can't. I say yes they can but they won't.

 

[Engineer1911]

Raining on your parade

This is not going to give you any more confidence in your "Authentic S&W mags". I bought a stainless steel S&W Target model when they first came out.

My two 1911 mags came marked 'S&W ACT - MAG / PSI Made in Italy' and are dark deep blued steel with black removable base pad with the front locating bump that fits the matching cutout on the frame. The mags have reasonable use, but have no scratches on the sides of the mag bodies and slide easily into and out of the frame.

My suggestion for replacement mags is wait for MidwayUSA to have a name brands mag sale: Chip McCormick, Wilson, or Shooting Star. With careful planning, I've bought sets of 4 mags for the different caliber 1911s that my wife and I own. I took to heart the old adage "without a mag, it's just a single shot". Those 'sale mags' for $12 to $17 four years ago look like great bargains today -- and fit and function is still excellent.

 

[Jim Watson]

The narrowest magazine I have is a Brownells house brand that looks like it was sourced from Metalform. .532" No longer cataloged in bare stainless.
The closest thing I can find is the Metalform Pro series at Midway.
Metalform Mag Pro Series 1911 Government Commander 45 ACP 8-Round SS

No guarantee that it will be as slim, but they are not expensive.

Also, you can squeeze down a magazine by several thousandths in a smooth jawed vise without binding the follower.

 

[dfs2006]

I guess I just had higher expectations for a gun at this price point.

 

[Jim Watson]

Everybody thinks he knows better than John M. Browning, Colt's Pt FA Mfg Co, and the US Army. The country is full of mismatched and incompatible so-called 1911s.

 

[dfs2006]

This is a very basic QA problem not a design problem.

 

[Fastbolt]

Magazines are a hot business right now, and S&W is probably taking whatever they can get in quantity numbers from the large manufacturers & vendors. It's not like they're the only maker of 1911-style pistols doing it this way, you know.

I've known of Wilson 47D's, ACT-MAG & McCormick magazines being shipped with SW1911's. Not surprised they use other brands, as well.

Personally, I've long since gone to using Metal-form, ACT-MAG & Tripp Research 1911 mags in my own 1911's. I've tried more different mags in my 1911's over the years than I can ever remember.

I've also learned of occasional issues being reported with some production runs of even the big name magazines. It happens.

I've always said that if S&W could ever have their engineers design a 1911 magazine that rivaled the reliability of their 3rd gen .45 6/7/8-rd magazines, they'd have to open a new facility just to keep up with the demand.

Magazines are at the very heart of reliable feeding & operation for pistols, especially 1911-style pistols. Unfortunately, not everyone making 1911's is apparently making them to the same exact set of "blueprints", so it's understandable that there might be some variations encountered in how magazines might fit in each and every 1911 ever produced.

I don't let some rubbing/light scratching of magazine bodies deter me from using 1911 mags that are otherwise demonstrated to be reliable. It happens in other makes/models of pistols often enough.

Actual gouging of mag bodies, or empty mags which won't drop free under gravity, are another matter, though. (I've seen some grip stock screws that were too long cause mags to hang up, but those are easy to replace.)

FWIW, last time I was discussing magazines with someone at Tripp, I was told they offered some optional followers (with different sized steel inserts that engaged the mag catch). This was in case a customer had a "variation in spec" frame in one or another 1911 that didn't work well with their standard follower of that design.

 

[4506517]

I get where you're coming from, but you're just going to drive yourself crazy.

It is easier for them to just send you replacement mags instead of QC everything on hand. It isn't the computer business and they just aren't going to do it.

Bottom line: buy high quality aftermarket mags. Simple as that. I have seen it suggested at least twice in this thread.

I agree with you in that a $1500 gun should have high quality mags. Guess what? S&W doesn't care what you think. That has become blatantly obvious in the past few years.

If it bothers you that much, sell the gun and enjoy your other 1911.

 

[dfs2006]

Someone is picking up my Ruger on Friday. I'd love to keep it as a second but cash is tight and I need a full size 9mm for the range.

 

[Maddog 521]

IMHO you load the mag, shoot the mag until it's empty, drop the mag. If all works without problems you repeat the procedure. I don't even care if the mag is blue or silver colored.

 

[dfs2006]

It doesn't work without problems.

 

[AveragEd]

I would like my $1500 gun to include mags that work and not need to go buy mags that do. If S&W can't handle that monumental task then next time I'll buy something else.

I agree with your sentiments but unfortunately, that's manufacturing in the good old USA right now. Companies have scaled down personnel rosters which means everyone wears more hats and customer service has deteriorated something fierce. That guy with whom you spoke at Smith & Wesson probably cares a lot about the products they turn out and the public's perception of them but he doesn't have time to follow up on his feelings.

In actuality, Smith & Wesson is a WHOLE lot better in the area of customer service than a lot of companies, including several firearms firms I speak with frequently. As an outdoor writer, I have access to media relations representatives and am constantly shocked by how often emails and voice mails generate no response but sometimes the wrong item suddenly shows up at my local gun shop for me months after the fact. Just two months ago, I received a rifle I requested last spring but was never notified of it being shipped - and a second one showed up two weeks later!

Couple that with the apparent dumbing-down of the American worker and you get people who can't or won't carry out basic responsibilities working for companies whose upper management lacks the time to supervise them. Again, I feel S&W support people are pretty good. My only gripe with them is that their website is not kept up to date and I've ordered items that are shown as in stock but don't show up for months. When I call, I learn that it actually is not in stock but is on backorder.

By the way, the magazines that came with both my 5" PC1911 and 1911Sc all function fine so they do have some good ones on hand. Be patient and you'll wind up with good ones too.

Ed