Hello Armory family. I just purchased the 1911 TRP. I had heard a lot about the Wilson Combat mags, and pre bought several of them. The SA mags that came with the pistol insert very smoothly. The WC mags feel like they hit the mag release and I either have to push in on the release or smack it Really hard to seat it. Is this OK? The TRP (mine is the SS finish) is a beautiful pistol and I definately do Not want to damage it in any way.
3rd Party Mags in 1911
- Thread starter Rich C
- Start date
HayesGreener
Ronin
A great pistol, you will get much use and enjoyment from it.
Wilson mags are as good as it gets. They may give you a tighter fit. Are you seening any undue wear on the magazine? I would first try getting some lube into the mag release mechanism to see if it eases.
Wilson will tell you their magazines can be stiff when new. See their info sheet. If you are still concerned give Wilson a call, they have a good customer service rep.
Wilson mags are as good as it gets. They may give you a tighter fit. Are you seening any undue wear on the magazine? I would first try getting some lube into the mag release mechanism to see if it eases.
Wilson will tell you their magazines can be stiff when new. See their info sheet. If you are still concerned give Wilson a call, they have a good customer service rep.
HayesGreener
Ronin
I don't know enough about what Rich P is experiencing so I cannot rule out a defect somewhere but more than likely a new gun and new mags are going to give some resistance until they wear in a bit.
This is a treatise that ends with insertion of magazines, if you are interested.
From my perspective, quality defensive pistols are designed to function under the most adverse conditions. Dirt, sand, fouling, and human factors etc., affect operation.
Parts are over-engineered to function reliably under adverse, high stress conditions. If you ever felt the magazine springs, mag release spring, or recoil spring was too stiff, they were engineered that way to ensure positive function in combat conditions. Lighten those springs and you can make the gun handle more easily, while diminishing reliability. Ok for the range, but not so much in a gunfight.
The engineers also understand that a person in combat will exert more than "normal" force on the weapon controls. Slides will be racked with greater force, mag releases will be pushed harder, etc.
Based on many hours as a student and as an instructor on the range, and on the literature, magazine and ammo failures, and shooter error, are the causes of most malfunctions. A common failure I have seen is magazines falling out of the gun during firing. Most embarrassing in a gunfight. In fact there was a bodycam video of an officer who reloaded and then his magazine fell out. Fortunately he had another mag and got back in the fight but it illustrates the point.
Stress causes a lot of performance inhibiting things to occur in the human body. We lose some ability for abstract thought, experience tunnel vision and auditory exclusion, we lose some fine motor skills and blood supply is redirected to major muscle groups, among other pucker factors. Based on this knowledge we have developed training strategies for gun handling that match what will happen under extreme stress. We want the student to use major muscle groups wherever possible.
I always taught my students to treat their pistol like they are mad at it and to forcefully manipulate or load the semi-auto pistol in their workspace in front of their face so they don't have to take focus off their opponent. Specifically we want the student to use a full hand atop the slide to work the slide rather than using the slide release or pinch method. And we want the student to insert the magazine without looking at it, and drive it home with the heel of the hand, then smack it again to be sure. We are training for the fight, not for the range. Pussyfooting while working the gun can induce malfunctions. Quality semi-auto guns and magazines are engineered to be handled roughly, and in my experience the more positively you work them the better they work.
This is a treatise that ends with insertion of magazines, if you are interested.
From my perspective, quality defensive pistols are designed to function under the most adverse conditions. Dirt, sand, fouling, and human factors etc., affect operation.
Parts are over-engineered to function reliably under adverse, high stress conditions. If you ever felt the magazine springs, mag release spring, or recoil spring was too stiff, they were engineered that way to ensure positive function in combat conditions. Lighten those springs and you can make the gun handle more easily, while diminishing reliability. Ok for the range, but not so much in a gunfight.
The engineers also understand that a person in combat will exert more than "normal" force on the weapon controls. Slides will be racked with greater force, mag releases will be pushed harder, etc.
Based on many hours as a student and as an instructor on the range, and on the literature, magazine and ammo failures, and shooter error, are the causes of most malfunctions. A common failure I have seen is magazines falling out of the gun during firing. Most embarrassing in a gunfight. In fact there was a bodycam video of an officer who reloaded and then his magazine fell out. Fortunately he had another mag and got back in the fight but it illustrates the point.
Stress causes a lot of performance inhibiting things to occur in the human body. We lose some ability for abstract thought, experience tunnel vision and auditory exclusion, we lose some fine motor skills and blood supply is redirected to major muscle groups, among other pucker factors. Based on this knowledge we have developed training strategies for gun handling that match what will happen under extreme stress. We want the student to use major muscle groups wherever possible.
I always taught my students to treat their pistol like they are mad at it and to forcefully manipulate or load the semi-auto pistol in their workspace in front of their face so they don't have to take focus off their opponent. Specifically we want the student to use a full hand atop the slide to work the slide rather than using the slide release or pinch method. And we want the student to insert the magazine without looking at it, and drive it home with the heel of the hand, then smack it again to be sure. We are training for the fight, not for the range. Pussyfooting while working the gun can induce malfunctions. Quality semi-auto guns and magazines are engineered to be handled roughly, and in my experience the more positively you work them the better they work.
Old_Me
SAINT
i use Wilson Combat and NightHawk Custom mags, and no issues here.
Thanks for your reply, Hayes Greener. I will read the report. I haven't fired it yet. Just tried out some mag load/unloading, so I can't yet evaluate mag wear. Thanks again for your reply.
Thanks for your response, ex13F. I imagine that the SA mags are good, but I have read so much about the WC mags.
Thank you, javbike. Maybe just needs to "break-in".My wc mags fit the same will a little tighter works great
HayesGreener, I appreciate you taking the time to explain all that. Some quality advice there. I will keep all that in mind. Thanks again.
Attachments
Old Me, thanks for the comment. Yeah, WC mags have quite the reputation. I have a couple of 9mm, but this is my first 1911 (45acp). I've shot them before at the range, but always with the range mags. The first time I shoved the WC mag into my TRP when I first took it home I was just a little surprised to feel the "wall".
Old_Me
SAINT
check with your local gun store(s)..many times Wilson or NightHawk are on sale.
i bought all my Wilsons at one store at say about $49 each, then they had NightHawk for about $39 each.
also, www.gunmagwarehouse is "usually" cheaper for magazines, all the brands.
personally, i'd stay away from "Promag" magazines, as i don't hear too many good things about that brand.
also too, many times i could not find magazines at the gun makers store, and when i did.??
they were always higher than the Wilson or NightHawk, usually too, MacGar or MetalForm makes many factory magazines.
i know, my BIL, works at MetalForm here in my state. (they stamp the gun makers name on them, not MetalForms name)
he is currently making followers, like about 10,000 of them.
he just does not know who they are for, but they have made Wilson mags, and labeled MetalForm mags.
javbike
Hellcat
Yea I have Wilson combat and nighthawk mags but I have two if their not pro mags they are close to them cheap as they come think I paid 5.99 a mag they work perfectly never had any trouble with my mags but I agree with old me I would stay away from pro mags I heard bad things about them
PaulieDC
Elite
Eight WC mags for my .45 1911 Range Officer and all are great, but the spring is really stiff when new. Fill the mags and let them sit for two days if you aren’t able to shoot yet, which will give you a bit of a break-in of sorts. The WC’s do need a little extra whack to insert at first, but part of that reason might be the stiffer springs. They should definitely out last the SA cartridges as far as spring life. I have one SA remaining and I use it for practicing with snap caps, lol. I can load the SA by hand easily, but the WC is tougher, so I use a loader for those. Especially new ones when you get past 3-4 cartridges. But when that last round needs to chamber correctly every time, the WCs are your best bet.
ZWild1
Operator
Pressing the mag release is a great idea. Not sure why I've never thought about it before?Thanks.
SimonRL
Hellcat
Try loading you WC mags 1 round short for a while. They are known for being stiff when new, but as you can see everyone - including myself - swear by them. You do not have dud mags. I assume this is your first 1911. As you have the stainless finish look up idiot scratch. If you put one on your gun ding me, it can be removed. Ask me how I know…
PaulieDC
Elite
Wilson Combat has their Labor Day sale going, 20% off of all magazines. Pretty much takes care of shipping and tax.
wilsoncombat.com
FWIW, I have several of this model for my RO Operator:
wilsoncombat.com
Magazines - Wilson Combat
Wilson Combat has been the innovator in custom pistols, long guns, and accessories since 1977. Home of the Wilson Combat 1911, EDC X9, WCP320, and more!
wilsoncombat.com
FWIW, I have several of this model for my RO Operator:
MAGAZINE, 1911, ELITE TACTICAL, .45 ACP, FULL-SIZE, 8 ROUND, ETM BASE PAD, BLACK FLUOROPOLYMER FINISH
Searching for the most dependable magazine to accompany your Full Size 1911 .45 ACP handgun? Look no further than the 500B ETM magainze with a black fluoropolymer finish. No matter what kind of usage or environment you're in, it won't let you down.
wilsoncombat.com