Well... It all depends... I prefer Wilsons, they're reliable, built well, and break down easy.
I don't like the factory mags, as everything is done from the top, the followers can be problematic. The GI Surplus mags are okay, as are the factory, if you prefer that style.
The CMC Power Mags are also nice, but I think the Wilsons are built better, the steel is thicker, more durable.
What we're really talking about here are 1911 mags. There aren't any "Pre-Ban" Hi-Caps for 1911's that were ever made really well. Because the typical standard 1911 mags are still made, and readily available, you will never see a situation like that of the rifles, or even other pistols with Full-Capacity mags where the mags are no longer produced for us civvies, and the numbers are therefore limited.
All the aftermarket mags for that class of weapon were "alternative" sources.
Back in the late 80's, and early 90's, you could get all the NIW USGI AR mags you wanted for less than $5/mag, and old beat up surplus mags sold for $1-2/each. The USA (and other generics) were made so those people that thought they must have a "New" mag for their rifle could go out and spend $3.95 on a P.O.S.
Once the 94 ban went in, the prices started going up, since supplies were now limited, and things really peaked last year when CA banned everything over 10 rounds. We saw NIW mags selling for more than $40/each. Glad I had stocked up... I must have more than 50 AR mags of various types, condition and sizes, but 95% of them are USGI's.
If only Wilson had got into the business of building AR's sooner, and started making mags back then, I would have a hard time believing that they could improve on the USGI's, but something tells me they would have been pretty solid performers.
It's funny... There must be a gazillion USGI AR mags floating around since they first started making them in the 60's, close to 30 years of production available to you and me. Still, surplus 20's in decent shape still run $10-20, and up... The USGI's are more expensive than the Orlites/Thermolds in the same condition, and I can't image that there were that many imported. It's not a clear case of supply and demand driving price, since the supply of USGI AR mags should easily be 100 times that of the Orlites.
I do like the Orlites, they work great, and last. Thermolds are nice too, but the Orlites are stronger.
You can find imported FN mags for under $10 new, and I doubt there were nearly as many imported as the number of AR mags produced. Same for Uzi, and Sten mags.
Just glad I got a couple Beta-C's, beyond belts, nothing beats 1 Beta.
I don't like the factory mags, as everything is done from the top, the followers can be problematic. The GI Surplus mags are okay, as are the factory, if you prefer that style.
The CMC Power Mags are also nice, but I think the Wilsons are built better, the steel is thicker, more durable.
What we're really talking about here are 1911 mags. There aren't any "Pre-Ban" Hi-Caps for 1911's that were ever made really well. Because the typical standard 1911 mags are still made, and readily available, you will never see a situation like that of the rifles, or even other pistols with Full-Capacity mags where the mags are no longer produced for us civvies, and the numbers are therefore limited.
All the aftermarket mags for that class of weapon were "alternative" sources.
Back in the late 80's, and early 90's, you could get all the NIW USGI AR mags you wanted for less than $5/mag, and old beat up surplus mags sold for $1-2/each. The USA (and other generics) were made so those people that thought they must have a "New" mag for their rifle could go out and spend $3.95 on a P.O.S.
Once the 94 ban went in, the prices started going up, since supplies were now limited, and things really peaked last year when CA banned everything over 10 rounds. We saw NIW mags selling for more than $40/each. Glad I had stocked up... I must have more than 50 AR mags of various types, condition and sizes, but 95% of them are USGI's.
If only Wilson had got into the business of building AR's sooner, and started making mags back then, I would have a hard time believing that they could improve on the USGI's, but something tells me they would have been pretty solid performers.
It's funny... There must be a gazillion USGI AR mags floating around since they first started making them in the 60's, close to 30 years of production available to you and me. Still, surplus 20's in decent shape still run $10-20, and up... The USGI's are more expensive than the Orlites/Thermolds in the same condition, and I can't image that there were that many imported. It's not a clear case of supply and demand driving price, since the supply of USGI AR mags should easily be 100 times that of the Orlites.
I do like the Orlites, they work great, and last. Thermolds are nice too, but the Orlites are stronger.
You can find imported FN mags for under $10 new, and I doubt there were nearly as many imported as the number of AR mags produced. Same for Uzi, and Sten mags.
Just glad I got a couple Beta-C's, beyond belts, nothing beats 1 Beta.
