Megar 1911 8 Round Polymer Follwer Magazine Reviews

Magazines for the 1911 pistol have evolved more during the past two decades than during whatsoever other fourth dimension since the pistol's introduction. The blight of the 1911 is cheaply made magazines, with poor ammunition close behind. For many years, the only choices were Colt factory magazines, which were ordinarily high quality, then GI magazines, and poorly made gun-bear witness magazines. Some were marked Filly 45 on the base in bold letters, and these usually meant the shooter was the real deal. At a time when new Colt magazines were effectually $15, aftermarket magazines sold for as petty as $four, and nearly of them were non worth the bedevilment. GI magazines were good quality, but shooters often establish them bent and worn out, unless they were new in the wrapper. Quite a scrap of barrel feed-ramp smooth and tuning of extractors went on that probably was tied to ammunition and magazine problems. Some of the aftermarket magazines were not properly welded. In other cases, the follower was as well tight in the magazine body; and in other instances, the magazine springs were weak. Others had poorly attached buttplates, that gave fashion when dropped on the ground during IPSC contest. Some survived, others did not.

The basic construction of the magazine itself has changed from canvass steel to aluminum and plastic followers versus metal followers. We have examined quite a few magazines that invited a state of affairs called false slide lock. The follower appeared to catch the slide lock, but the slide lock was actually on the wrong shelf, which isn't good for any of the parts. A 1911 feeds past the loading block on the bottom of the slide stripping the cartridge forwards every bit the slide moves frontwards. The cartridge case rim catches under the extractor and is pressed forward. Some feel that it is a skillful thing that the bullet nose snugs a niggling over the feed ramp and bumps the cartridge example caput into the breech face as the cartridge enters the chamber. Some magazines, notably the Wilson Combat, let the bullet nose to strike much college on the ramp, which results in missing the feed ramp'due south edges more so than others.

It goes without saying that magazines should be cleaned periodically, dust and lint removed, and that the mag springs should be checked often to ensure positive office, but we knew design and execution were even farther upwards the pipeline of good role than maintenance, so with this in mind, nosotros elected to test a number of 1911 magazines and to report our findings. In some cases the problems were experienced during testing of 1911 handguns, so we knew what to look for. But, broadly, this has been a long-term test for us. While some tests accept weeks to complete, this one lasted 24 months due to the need to go on magazines loaded for a 12-month interval to estimate spring fatigue. Both objective and subjective criteria were used to class the mags, with function being most important, and fit and finish being behind that.

In the test, we used three primary firearms to appraise office: a Loftier Standard (Armscor) Government Model 1911, a Springfield Range Officer Operator 1911, and a Remington R1 Commander. All are proven handguns that take proven reliable, with at least 1,000 rounds previously fired in each handgun.

For the magazines themselves, nosotros used at to the lowest degree two examples of each, looking at this lineup of grading points:

Step 1: Making a visual inspection of fit, stop, and welds.

Step two: Assessing fit of a loaded magazine into the magazine well of each pistol, locking information technology in place, and closing the slide.

Step 3: Determining difficulty of ejecting an unloaded magazine when the release button is pressed.

Pace iv: Noticing whatsoever difficulty when dropping the slide on a loaded magazine.

Step 5: Grading feed reliability. Ease of loading and lack of follower binding were noted. We tested the magazines with three loads: A handload using the Magnus Cast Bullets 200-grain semi-wadcutter, properly loaded to a 1.20-inch overall length; a handload using a Hornady 185-grain XTP, as well loaded to a ane.20-inch OAL; and a load using the Hornady 230-grain XTP at an OAL of ane.20 inches.

Then we progressed to a firing test. Since +P loads increase slide velocity to the point the magazine spring may not keep up, we fired the magazines that passed previous tests with seven rounds each of a Black Hills Ammunition 230-grain JHP +P. After firing, the follower was checked for backlog wear.

Then, for those that remained, we dropped loaded magazines on a concrete pad from 5 anxiety, attempting a base drop. Each magazine was given two drops. Finally, we left the surviving magazines fully loaded for 12 months topped off with Winchester 230-grain FMJ ammunition. Once the date had passed, they had to come up shooting.

During the test, one of the raters noted that slide-lock function is disquisitional to 1911 handguns. He removed an Armscor 1911 from early testing due to a slide-stop problem. Proper dimensions include a protrusion of 0.200 inch from the back interior of the lever. Slide-finish issues may lead one to believe the mag is bad. A visual and micrometer examination likewise indicates if magazine feed lips have spread. The original dimensions should be 0.375 inch across the feed lips. All magazines tested were well within specifications. If the magazine feed lips are no longer parallel, so they should be discarded. A measurement of 0.390 inch beyond the feed lips isn't good, and so at that betoken, the magazine should be discarded. The merely magazine that spread to the betoken of non-serviceability during the tests was a unmarried Triple K magazine.

We dropped a magazine or two on the feed lips instead of the base pad, by blow, and despite a reputation 1911 magazines have for thin feed lips, none of the magazines were affected. This was an abuse, rather than a exam non included in exam criteria. During the drib tests, none of the cartridges popped out the top of the magazine, merely rather pushed out forrad, as they were designed to feed. Just the same, the tighter the magazine spring, perhaps the less likely the cartridge might exist lost. Too a number of raters have seen magazines hit the pavement during competition and seen the base of operations pad come up loose and the spring and follower fall out. We dropped the magazines from slightly higher than a normal shooting stance, and the magazines were loaded, but none came apart. Here's what we plant:

Mec-Gar Mag, $24

Bachelor from Mec-Gar.com, the Mec-Gar and the Act Mag are similar in appearance, all the same, and it is a pocket-sized thing, the Mec-Gar does not have the ridge or weld line seen on the Act Mag. We also like the synthetic follower of the Mec-Gar better. The Mec-Gar magazines' base pads were more than secure, however, on a number of magazines tested (and we used a half dozen as they were supplied with Rock Island Arsenal test guns) two had some loose motility. The Mec-Gar magazines fit as designed, functioned with all loads, passed the drib examination without failure, and likewise passed the 12-month storage test. This magazine was tied with the Brownells for best value, but at that place are times then the Mec-Gar is found on auction for an even better price.

GUN TESTS Grade: A (All-time BUY)

Brownells 1911 viii-Round Magazine, $24

Available from Brownells.com, these mags' fit and end are good, with a more matte stop than blued. We particularly like the concave follower that rides loftier in the magazine torso. The Brownells mag is a workmanlike design that aced the tests. These magazines passed all drop tests and firing tests. The price is off-white, our team thought, for the performance.

GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)

Cobra viii-Round Mag, $37

Fabricated by Tripp Research and available from Brownells.com, the Cobra magazine showed excellent fit and finish. The magazine presents the bullet nose at a proficient height in relation to the feed ramp and always gives skilful feeding. Nosotros liked the base pads also. While pricey, the Tripp-designed mag aced every test. Information technology is a adept mag worth its toll.

GUN TESTS Class: A

D&L Sports 8-Circular Magazine, $fifty

Bachelor from DLSports.com, this is the nearly expensive magazine tested. The torso is well made and features a rugged cease. The mag spring is tied with the Ed Brown and Cobra magazine for tightness. The D&L Sports magazines passed all testing, including the 12-month storage exam. This mag is pricey, simply information technology works.

GUN TESTS Course: A

Kimber KimPro Tac-Magazine Factory Mag, $33

Available from KimberAmerica.com, the Kimber magazine is well made and finished and features a flat follower. It is a archetype blueprint in advent and is used in the company'due south tiptop-end pistols. Features include Teflon-coated stainless-steel follower, Rocket wire spring, and big round-count recognition holes. A quick-modify floorplate permits the immediate zipper of ane of iii included bases: A conventional stainless-steel plate, slim bumper pad for carry, or a thick bumper pad for competition or apply with extended magazine wells. The Kimber mag is more expensive than the other traditional magazines, and it did non suffer a single failure of any blazon during the firing tests, drib tests, and long-term storage tests.

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

Wilson Gainsay 1911 Elite Tactical Magazine Total-Size, viii Round, $33

Available from WilsonCombat.com, the new ETM mag features a longer torso to contain a stronger magazine bound so it will feed 8 rounds reliably. Just the same, our most experienced 1911 shooters recommend loading eight rounds total for skillful reliability; that is, one in the sleeping room and vii in the magazine. The ETM exhibits skilful fit and stop. Information technology passed all drop tests, lock tests, feed tests, and the 12-month testing.

GUN TESTS GRADE: A

Ed Brown 8-Pack Magazine with Base Pad, $37

Available from MidwayUSA.com, fit, end, and function of the Ed Browns were splendid. The firing tests were passed without incident, as well as the 12-months-loaded testing. Magazine spring tension, subjectively, was the strongest of the standard-length magazines. Feed reliability is proficient. The magazines passed all testing save for the drop exam, when 1 of the two magazines lost two cartridges.

GUN TESTS Grade: A-

Remington R1 1911 Magazine, $21.70

Purchased from Cheaperthandirt.com, this magazine may exist among the all-time buys in factory-branded magazines. Marked Remington on the base, it works well in all 1911 handguns. Cease is good to match the Remington R1 blued cease. The follower is nylon with a steel insert. During the driblet test, the R1 magazines lost ii cartridges on average and passed all other tests. We liked these magazines improve than the Colt magazines as an example amidst manufactory magazines.

GUN TESTS Grade: A-

Filly Brand 8-Round Magazine, $22 Blued Steel; $24 Stainless Steel

Bachelor from MidwayUSA.com, the blued magazines were tight going in, but we noticed the stainless magazines were not, for some reason. During drop testing, each Colt magazine lost two to 3 cartridges. This was true of both blued and stainless magazines. Other firing tests were passed, and all other testing was passed. Coupled with the tight fit of the blued-steel magazines and the driblet-test problems, we rated these magazines individually, as noted below.

GUN TESTS GRADE: A- (STAINLESS)

GUN TESTS GRADE: B- (BLUED)

Gun Pro Sure Burn down, $35

Available from Gunpro.us, this magazine is advertised equally an anti-olfactory organ-dive magazine. Information technology is intended to prevent the bullet nose from pushing downward on the feed ramp. The tab that accomplishes this may work best with FMJ bullets. The Gun Pro magazine is similar in appearance to other magazines. At that place is space in the mag body for the 8-round follower and magazine, and it isn't a compressed design. The deviation is that at the right side of the magazine body, there is a cutting-out section that is reminiscent of a frame-lock pocketknife. The tab doesn't touch on normal feeding, merely would possibly forbid a bullet nose dive. At any rate, the mag is well made and works as designed. During the drop test, the mag lost an average of one cartridge in each example.

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-

ProMag Magazine 1911 eight-Round Steel, $25.49

Available from PromagIndustries.com, these are listed for $25.49 at the ProMag website. But we walked into the local Academy Sports and picked up ii at $20 each. Fit and end were OK, even so, we did non like the light-feeling magazine bound pressure. Also, the base pad wasn't rock solid, but neither was information technology very loose. The ProMag did not regurgitate any cartridges during the drop exam. It as well passed the 12-month test. The only blip was a failure to feed during firing of the +P loads. This was because the slide velocity overcame what we perceived as a weak magazine spring. Only the aforementioned, overall the magazine did well. Based on rattling when shaken and a failure with +P loads, we rated the ProMag down a total grade.

GUN TESTS Class: B

ASC Magazine, $13

Available from Surplusammo.com, this is the to the lowest degree expensive mag tested. The ASC passed all firing tests. Fit and end of the ASC is OK. Nevertheless, the base pads had loose fore and aft move. During loading, the follower torso tended to bind at the rear. While the magazine locked in and functioned, one of the two magazines failed to lock the slide open up on the last shot in each pistol from the start. The other occasionally failed to lock the slide open on the final shot. Each passed the drop test without losing a cartridge, and both too passed the 12-calendar month spring-fatigue test.

GUN TESTS GRADE: B-

ACT Magazine viii-Round Magazine, $22

Available from ACT-mag.com, the ACT Mag is comparable to the Mec-Gar in advent, but with more than noticeable welds. The Deed MAG passed all firing tests. There was more play in the base pad than nosotros like. The magazine passed all testing, salvage for an average of a unmarried round popping out of each magazine during driblet testing. While similar in appearance to the Mec-Gar, nosotros adopt the Mec-Gar based on finish and less play in the base pad. We as well like the Mec-Gar follower better. The rating was based on rounds popping out during the drop exam and the looser base of operations pads, which were non as loose equally the ASC magazine.

GUN TESTS Course: B-

Chip McCormick 8-Round Magazine, $33

Available from ChipMcCormickmags.com, four examples of this popular magazine made it into the test. Fit and finish were good. However, 1 magazine was tight going in the magazine well. During firing of the +P load, i of the magazines proved to have a weak jump and brusque cycled. Other tests, including the 12-month examination, were passed. We rated the magazines down based on one failure to feed and the tight fit of a magazine.

GUN TESTS GRADE: B-

Springfield Armory Factory Magazine, $23.fifty

Available from Springfield-Armory.com, one of the magazines delivered new with a TRP pistol acquired a short cycle. We looked closer and found it was non a 1911 break-in malfunction, but instead a problem with a weak magazine spring. During the driblet test, the Springfield magazines lost two cartridges on average. Nosotros rated the magazine downward a full point on this weak spring and a half point on losing the cartridges during the drop test.

GUN TESTS GRADE: B-

Triple-Thousand 7-Round Magazine, $15

Available from Cabelas.com, we found the Triple-K magazine'southward follower to be a poor fit. Information technology seemed to protrude as well much from the feed lips when the magazine is not loaded. This could possibly damage an aluminum feed ramp. The magazine fit and locked fine; however, during the drop tests, these magazines consistently lost two to 4 cartridges. The firing test was passed with standard loads, but not the +P. A Triple K mag was the but magazine non to laissez passer the 12-month bound test, losing magazine spring tension or peradventure the follower moved frontwards.

GUN TESTS Form: C

Written and photographed by R.K. Campbell, using evaluations from Gun Tests team testers.

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Source: https://www.gun-tests.com/viewpoints/editorial/1911-magazines-some-are-good-and-some-should-be-avoided-4/

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