1911 mags

Johnnycat · 12-07-2007, 09:41 PM

Can the more expensive commercial mags do anything that the GI mil-spec mags can't do?

I would like to buy a few more clips for a new Kimber and I've noticed a wide spectrum of prices. Is there a wide spectrum of performance?

jerry · 12-07-2007, 11:57 PM

Hold one more round in some cases, possibly last longer & or be more reliable.

rondog · 12-08-2007, 12:21 AM

Hard to say, might depend on what you use them for. Folks who shoot competition probably have a good argument for the premium mags, but in my three Rocks I personally use a bunch of the stock Novak's that come with RIA's, and a bunch of Chip McCormick Shooting Stars, all 8-rounders. I'm not even sure how many I have, but they all work just fine for me. I'm just a plinker.

M14man · 12-08-2007, 09:26 AM

Some of the newer commercial types have some improvements over the original types. Feed lips, and follower are often re-disigned to give less 'stripping drag'. They usually work better with shapes other than ball.They may be stainless. They are usually better, especially if you are going to carry and want the best. If you are just gonna shoot, well GI stuff usually will do good.

sniper1958 · 12-08-2007, 09:30 AM

I've found the mil-specs with a curved follower gives me major fits. The flat followers seem to feed just like my Wilson's, McCormicks and Novaks. Otherwise, you're looking at one less round.

nathangdad · 12-08-2007, 12:13 PM

Design wise, the answer is no.
In terms of newer springs and better
quality materials in general the answer
is yes.
Note some of the older GI magazines may
have been through some rough treatment
that alters the lip curvature. However, I
have had excellent performance from
some little used and apparently no abused
GI magazines.

12-07-2007, 09:41 PM	#1
Johnnycat Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tupelo, MS Posts: 246	1911 mags Can the more expensive commercial mags do anything that the GI mil-spec mags can't do? I would like to buy a few more clips for a new Kimber and I've noticed a wide spectrum of prices. Is there a wide spectrum of performance? __________________ Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. - Aldous Huxley

12-08-2007, 12:13 PM	#6
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,438	No and Yes Design wise, the answer is no. In terms of newer springs and better quality materials in general the answer is yes. Note some of the older GI magazines may have been through some rough treatment that alters the lip curvature. However, I have had excellent performance from some little used and apparently no abused GI magazines.

12-07-2007, 11:57 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,871 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Hold one more round in some cases, possibly last longer & or be more reliable.

12-08-2007, 12:21 AM	#3
rondog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Parker, CO Posts: 1,324	Hard to say, might depend on what you use them for. Folks who shoot competition probably have a good argument for the premium mags, but in my three Rocks I personally use a bunch of the stock Novak's that come with RIA's, and a bunch of Chip McCormick Shooting Stars, all 8-rounders. I'm not even sure how many I have, but they all work just fine for me. I'm just a plinker.

12-08-2007, 09:26 AM	#4
M14man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: FLA Posts: 430 Images: 10	Some of the newer commercial types have some improvements over the original types. Feed lips, and follower are often re-disigned to give less 'stripping drag'. They usually work better with shapes other than ball.They may be stainless. They are usually better, especially if you are going to carry and want the best. If you are just gonna shoot, well GI stuff usually will do good.

12-08-2007, 09:30 AM	#5
sniper1958 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 123	I've found the mil-specs with a curved follower gives me major fits. The flat followers seem to feed just like my Wilson's, McCormicks and Novaks. Otherwise, you're looking at one less round.