magazines
Magazines for the M1911 type automatic pistol
Wilson Combat 47D models
http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_magazines.asp
Wilson Combat Elite Tactical magazine
http://wilsoncombat.com/a_magazines_ETM.asp
Nighthawk Custom
http://nighthawkcustom.com/detail.aspx?ID=21
Chip McCormick Power Mags
https://www.chipmccormickcorp.com/power-mags.html
Tripp Research Cobra Mag
http://www.trippresearch.com
Metalform Magazines
http://www.metalformmagazines.com/index.html
Kimber KimPro Tac-Mag Premium .45 ACP Magazine
http://www.kimberamerica.com/accessories
Wolff Magazines
www.gunsprings.com
Novak Magazines
www.novaksights.com
Mec-Gar Magazines
www.mec-gar.com
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Integrated Systems Management (ISMI) magazine springs
http://www.ismi-gunsprings.com
Wolff Gunsprings
www.gunsprings.com
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1911 Magazines
By Hilton Yam
www.10-8performance.com
The magazine is critical to the function of a 1911, and all too many shooters induce problems in otherwise functional guns by using faulty magazines.
For a basic magazine, I always recommend the Chip McCormick Power Mag 8 rd with the standard (.350") bumper. For 99% of your shooting tasks, this will get the job done. It has a durable tube that holds its shape reasonably well, a strong spring that resists a set when left loaded for extended periods, and good overall function. Its Devel style follower has some problems with some guns where it will jump the slide stop. This is typically a very rare occurrence when the gun is set up correctly. I have had hundreds of these pass through my hands, and they work well.
The Tripp Industries Cobra Mag, A8-MG, is another good candidate for an 8 round 1911 mag, and has all of the assets of the Power Mag. The added bonus is a superior follower design that is very stable and reliable (it will lock back guns that might not respond to other mags), and added tube length for a true 8 round spring column. The major issue I've had with these is that early production tubes did not to last very long and cracked at the rear of the feed lips. Tripp stood behind all of these mags, and all of my cracked tubes were replaced under warranty. My current batch of magazines has lasted for over a year without any issues with the tubes.
If you want a nearly bulletproof 7 round magazine, you can install the Tripp Super 7 spring/follower kit inside a CMC Power Mag tube with excellent results. I have had zero problems with this combination, and have received nothing but positive reports from those fielding this setup. This is an expensive setup, but worthwhile for the serious gun toter. For the casual shooter, the added benefits may not be realized.
The above 3 setups are the ONLY 1911 magazines that I currently recommend. Keep in mind that my recommendations are based upon the requirements of the magazines being kept constantly loaded for a duty cycle of 3-6 months and being able to withstand drops onto hard surfaces during training. Almost any magazine will work satisfactorily if you never leave them loaded and they are not dropped.
Lastly, 1911 magazines need to be considered an expendable asset, much like the GI aluminum M16 mag. I expect an average service cycle of 12-24 months, and I will not hesitate to replace them the moment one fails to feed or drop free. Don't get married to a set of mags, use them up and move on.