Introducing - the CHEN CUSTOM MAGWELL GEN2
Hello everyone,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, as the demands of the shop and family have kept me away. But I’ve been working hard at something I've been passionate about for a while now, and want to share it with you.
I’m excited to present to you a new version of my magwell, which I am calling the Chen Magwell Gen2. It carries over all of the important features of my original magwell (aka “Chen Magwell Suite”), that have made many consider it the ultimate 1911 magwell. Namely:
1. Huge magwell opening - Using sophisticated CAD design and CAM driven machining, the magwell opening is opened up as wide as possible without adding bulk. The entry angle is optimized, and constantly variable along its contour for the smoothest reloads possible.
2. Adds no length or width to the pistol. Concealability is not compromised and extended base pads are not needed. The pistol frame is shortened to accommodate the magwell.
3. Tactically sound - Allows removal of stuck magazine by allowing access to the toe of the magazine. Again, advanced CAD/CAM design was used to produce a unique combination of 1.) front magwell geometry which has been considerably reduced compared to traditional weld-on magwells and 2.) a pronounced access notch has been machined in front.
4. Machined from heat treated solid 4140 and 416 barstock for durability.
For those unfamiliar with the original, it looks like this. It is two pieces, with the magwell welded on to the bottom of the pistol and mainspring housing machined to match.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Introducing the Chen Magwell Gen2
I set out to make the magwell easier to install, so that more of my fellow shooters could enjoy the benefits of the Chen Magwell. The big news for shooters, gunsmiths and manufacturers is….you can have all the features and functionality of the original Chen Magwell, with simplified installation and no welding. And the funnel is now even a bit bigger!
The Chen Magwell Gen2 is the first and only magwell integrated with the mainspring housing, that adds no length or width to the original dimensions of the pistol. Patent Pending: Multiple US patents have been filed by Stan Chen Custom/Legacy Custom Products Inc. to protect all of the related intellectual property.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Elegant form, Simplified installation
The Gen2 is machined as one piece, integral with the Mainspring Housing. The entire bottom of the full size pistol frame is shortened by .300” to accommodate the magwell . It is attached to the pistol frame via the Mainspring Housing Pin, which is relocated from its original position. This relocation also allows the funnel opening to be even larger at the rear than the Gen1.
![Image]()
Installation is greatly simplified over the Gen1. No welding is required. The frame is shortened/machined, a new hole is drilled through both the pistol frame and magwell in one setup for a perfect fit, and minor final blending is performed.
The Gen2 Magwell uses a compact mainspring, instead of a standard 1911 mainspring. It is an industry standard “Officers” or “compact” size mainspring, which has been proven to be completely reliable in independent testing, engineering analysis and over 30 years of use in numerous 1911 pistol models in the industry.
The Chen Magwell Gen2 comes contoured, blended, and dehorned throughout the part which further increases its utility and simplifies installation. The rear curve matches GI pattern grips. A generous roundbutt is machined into the part itself, enhancing shooting and carry comfort.
Side Impact Reinforcement TabsTM (SIRTTM)
Hard side impacts are the achilles heel of all other existing magwells which attach to the mainspring housing. Hard side impacts to the magwell can cause the funnel to twist. They can twist to the point where the magwell becomes so out of alignment, that the magazine becomes stuck in the gun, and/or the new magazine cannot be inserted. This is real, it happens, and can spell disaster if the pistol is being deployed in a critical use situation.
![Image]()
The Chen Magwell Gen2 adds two Side Impact Reinforcement Tabs, which effectively eliminate this weakness. The tabs snugly engage against the sides of the pistol frame, and provide a tremendous amount of lateral support to the magwell. Additionally, the pistol’s grips are relieved and further add support the tabs, and thereby the magwell, from the outside. The Chen Magwell Gen2 will simply not twist from any reasonable (and almost any UNreasonable) side impact, to include banging into walls, doors, vehicles and being dropped from heights that would cause serious bodily injury.
Availability and Support
Stan Chen Custom will directly supply, install and custom blend the Gen2 Magwell on quality, customer supplied 1911s, with impeccable craftsmanship and reasonable turnaround time. Click HERE to order via our online webstore. Installation includes a custom fit set of VZ Grips G10 Double Diamonds made to our specs. These grips are awesome, and we are working with our friends at VZ to offer the "Chen Magwell Cut" as an option for select models of VZ's, so replacements are a piece of cake.
Gunsmiths, Manufacturers and enthusiasts with machine skills: it is also available for sale as a standalone part, but only to Authorized Installers. Authorized Installers simply agree to some very simple and basic terms with regard to the marketing and distribution of the Chen Magwell Gen2….super common sense stuff.
With their first order, Authorized Installers receive a Chen Magwell Gen2 Installation Tool, which is a unique and innovate design in and of itself. It takes all the guesswork out of relocating the MSH pin hole and makes a perfect fit very simple. Its dimensions are precisely matched to the dimensions of the magwell itself. Authorized Installers also get unlimited support from me in ensuring that their installations are a success.
![Image]()
If you are a gunsmith, manufacturer or enthusiast with machine skills interested in the Chen Magwell Gen2, please contact us about becoming an Authorized Installer; you will find us friendly and easy to work with!
The new magwell was 100% designed, prototyped, fixtured, programmed and machined by Stan Chen Custom in Durango, CO.
![Image]()
*Please note, the Chen Magwell Gen1 (aka “Chen Magwell Suite”) continues to be produced and supported for those that prefer the traditional weld on method. The Gen1 remains an option on my full house custom builds.
For even more info and pictures, please check out my website HERE.
My hope is that this new magwell will help to bring speedy and consistent reloads to shooters everywhere. When the chips are down and your gun has run dry, it's important to get that next mag in there FAST.
Thank you all for your interest and support! All the best,
Stan
Hello everyone,
It’s been a while since I’ve posted, as the demands of the shop and family have kept me away. But I’ve been working hard at something I've been passionate about for a while now, and want to share it with you.
I’m excited to present to you a new version of my magwell, which I am calling the Chen Magwell Gen2. It carries over all of the important features of my original magwell (aka “Chen Magwell Suite”), that have made many consider it the ultimate 1911 magwell. Namely:
1. Huge magwell opening - Using sophisticated CAD design and CAM driven machining, the magwell opening is opened up as wide as possible without adding bulk. The entry angle is optimized, and constantly variable along its contour for the smoothest reloads possible.
2. Adds no length or width to the pistol. Concealability is not compromised and extended base pads are not needed. The pistol frame is shortened to accommodate the magwell.
3. Tactically sound - Allows removal of stuck magazine by allowing access to the toe of the magazine. Again, advanced CAD/CAM design was used to produce a unique combination of 1.) front magwell geometry which has been considerably reduced compared to traditional weld-on magwells and 2.) a pronounced access notch has been machined in front.
4. Machined from heat treated solid 4140 and 416 barstock for durability.
For those unfamiliar with the original, it looks like this. It is two pieces, with the magwell welded on to the bottom of the pistol and mainspring housing machined to match.
Introducing the Chen Magwell Gen2
I set out to make the magwell easier to install, so that more of my fellow shooters could enjoy the benefits of the Chen Magwell. The big news for shooters, gunsmiths and manufacturers is….you can have all the features and functionality of the original Chen Magwell, with simplified installation and no welding. And the funnel is now even a bit bigger!
The Chen Magwell Gen2 is the first and only magwell integrated with the mainspring housing, that adds no length or width to the original dimensions of the pistol. Patent Pending: Multiple US patents have been filed by Stan Chen Custom/Legacy Custom Products Inc. to protect all of the related intellectual property.
Elegant form, Simplified installation
The Gen2 is machined as one piece, integral with the Mainspring Housing. The entire bottom of the full size pistol frame is shortened by .300” to accommodate the magwell . It is attached to the pistol frame via the Mainspring Housing Pin, which is relocated from its original position. This relocation also allows the funnel opening to be even larger at the rear than the Gen1.
Installation is greatly simplified over the Gen1. No welding is required. The frame is shortened/machined, a new hole is drilled through both the pistol frame and magwell in one setup for a perfect fit, and minor final blending is performed.
The Gen2 Magwell uses a compact mainspring, instead of a standard 1911 mainspring. It is an industry standard “Officers” or “compact” size mainspring, which has been proven to be completely reliable in independent testing, engineering analysis and over 30 years of use in numerous 1911 pistol models in the industry.
The Chen Magwell Gen2 comes contoured, blended, and dehorned throughout the part which further increases its utility and simplifies installation. The rear curve matches GI pattern grips. A generous roundbutt is machined into the part itself, enhancing shooting and carry comfort.
Side Impact Reinforcement TabsTM (SIRTTM)
Hard side impacts are the achilles heel of all other existing magwells which attach to the mainspring housing. Hard side impacts to the magwell can cause the funnel to twist. They can twist to the point where the magwell becomes so out of alignment, that the magazine becomes stuck in the gun, and/or the new magazine cannot be inserted. This is real, it happens, and can spell disaster if the pistol is being deployed in a critical use situation.
The Chen Magwell Gen2 adds two Side Impact Reinforcement Tabs, which effectively eliminate this weakness. The tabs snugly engage against the sides of the pistol frame, and provide a tremendous amount of lateral support to the magwell. Additionally, the pistol’s grips are relieved and further add support the tabs, and thereby the magwell, from the outside. The Chen Magwell Gen2 will simply not twist from any reasonable (and almost any UNreasonable) side impact, to include banging into walls, doors, vehicles and being dropped from heights that would cause serious bodily injury.
Availability and Support
Stan Chen Custom will directly supply, install and custom blend the Gen2 Magwell on quality, customer supplied 1911s, with impeccable craftsmanship and reasonable turnaround time. Click HERE to order via our online webstore. Installation includes a custom fit set of VZ Grips G10 Double Diamonds made to our specs. These grips are awesome, and we are working with our friends at VZ to offer the "Chen Magwell Cut" as an option for select models of VZ's, so replacements are a piece of cake.
Gunsmiths, Manufacturers and enthusiasts with machine skills: it is also available for sale as a standalone part, but only to Authorized Installers. Authorized Installers simply agree to some very simple and basic terms with regard to the marketing and distribution of the Chen Magwell Gen2….super common sense stuff.
With their first order, Authorized Installers receive a Chen Magwell Gen2 Installation Tool, which is a unique and innovate design in and of itself. It takes all the guesswork out of relocating the MSH pin hole and makes a perfect fit very simple. Its dimensions are precisely matched to the dimensions of the magwell itself. Authorized Installers also get unlimited support from me in ensuring that their installations are a success.
If you are a gunsmith, manufacturer or enthusiast with machine skills interested in the Chen Magwell Gen2, please contact us about becoming an Authorized Installer; you will find us friendly and easy to work with!
The new magwell was 100% designed, prototyped, fixtured, programmed and machined by Stan Chen Custom in Durango, CO.
*Please note, the Chen Magwell Gen1 (aka “Chen Magwell Suite”) continues to be produced and supported for those that prefer the traditional weld on method. The Gen1 remains an option on my full house custom builds.
For even more info and pictures, please check out my website HERE.
My hope is that this new magwell will help to bring speedy and consistent reloads to shooters everywhere. When the chips are down and your gun has run dry, it's important to get that next mag in there FAST.
Thank you all for your interest and support! All the best,
Stan
