Before the this year’s test began, I asked SACS about magazines and they recommend the Springfield (Metalform) 9rd mags that ship with the pistol. They also endorsed the Metalform 10rd magazines which were designed in partnership with Springfield’s own Rob Leatham. But I checked out various online discussions and spoke to people with far greater 1911 experience than myself and had some other brands recommended as well. As such, I had a quantity of three different 10rd magazines to begin the test: Metalform, Tripp Cobra magazines, and Wilson ETM magazines.
The Wilson magazines performed flawlessly in the gun. However, for some reason about half of them consistently would not allow me to load more than three rounds of Blazer (either 115gr TMJ part number 3510 or 124gr TMJ Cleanfire part number 3460). The cartridges would bind and no amount of force — even using an UpLULA — would allow another round. At various times with other ammo the mags would also bind trying to load a fourth round, but stripping all the cartridges from the magazine relieved the problem and I could then load them with ten. This fix never worked for the Blazer, though.
The Tripp magazines worked fine during the initial day’s testing but then some randomly began having issues. They were substantially harder to load to full ten round capacity. But more importantly, the feed lips were allowing rounds to pop free. I had rounds strip from the magazine when pulled out of the gun, when dropped on the ground, or even while trying to load them up.
The Metalform magazines (link goes to Midway USA as Metalform’s own site doesn’t provide any useful information) all worked without any problems whatsoever. They’re easy to load and tested well with every kind of ammunition. As such, I’m getting another dozen of them and will be using them exclusively for the time being.
Train hard & stay safe! ToddG
You can also follow and discuss via the pistol-forum.com 2012-2013 Endurance Test thread.
Previous Springfield/Warren 9mm 1911 Endurance Test posts at pistol-training.com:
- Springfield/Warren 9mm 1911: The Gun
- I Own 1911s
- Springfield Endurance Test Guns
- Why 1911?
http://www.cmctactical.com/10mm_24_ctg.html
You may want to also try these based on the industry reputation and my personal experience with the .45 Powermags.
I did not like the Tripp mags in .45. Numerous failures until they had the spring take a set from being loaded
Had exactly the same problem with several of my 9mm Wilson ETMs. Problem was ultimately identified as the black plastic follower binding or hanging up in the mag tube where the bottom edge of the follower meets the notch in the mag tube, about 4 rounds in. Removed springs and followers, sanded the edges on the followers and replaced. Got almost all fixed on the first iteration but had one mag that continued to bind. Took three iterations to finally make it right but now all the mags work perfectly with 10 rounds in my Wilson CQB Elite. Don’t give up on the Wilson mags. They can be made to work!
For something as simple as a magazine you really shouldn’t have to finish them yourself to get basic function.
I carry a 9mm 1911 on duty and the only mag that I have found to be 100% is the Springfield/Metalform mags. I use the 9 round variant though as I prefer the rubber bumper pad over the plastic one on the 10 rounders.
I have had several 9mm 1911s and I’ll second that the Springfield/metalform mags are the only ones that have been 100% for me, even in other-branded guns. I traded all my Wilson and Tripp mags away to other guys who wanted the name brand mags. I’ve been happy with all the Springfield mags I have gotten in return.
Wow, another long day at work for me yesterday……. For some inexplicable reason I was thinking .38 super….. So, when you get your 9×23, you would be all set with the McCormick’s
Ahhh… the 1911 magazine conundrum. My 1911s are all .45s, but I have done a ton of research and testing. I finally settled on Checkmate mags with their newer proprietary, metal follower. I upgrade them with the heaviest Tripp springs and I’ve never had a problem since. IMHO the craftsmanship on the Checkmate mags is unmatched in the industry. On Wilson and McCormick eight rounders in .45 you will lose a round of capacity, but the Checkmate mags still hold eight. So many choices. Not like running an HK or a Glock, good or bad. Good luck in your quest.
My 9mm Springfield/Metalform magazines would nose-dive the rounds and fail to feed even the first round 75% of the time.
I went off the Power Factor show’s Rick suggestion when he said what magazines he uses and tried out Checkmate Industries magazines and they’ve been working flawlessly.
That’s odd. I never heard those problems with the Wilson or Tripp 9mm mags. I’ve been using both brands for 2yrs for weekly competitions — total of 15mags. Replaced the springs in all of them. No problems. I guess each mag is unique.