By Bob Boyd, Shooting Illustrated
When shopping for a 1911, some people focus on getting the most features for the money, often overlooking one of the pistol’s most vital components for reliabilty—the magazine.
If you fell into that trap, picking up one of these aftermarket magazines (from left to right in the photo) will keep your warhorse running smoothly.
The Chip McCormick Custom 8-Round Power Mag features roll-formed feed lips for greater durability. Its proprietary follower enhances dependable feeding of hollow points as well as troublesome semi-wadcutters, while the super-strong, heat-treated spring further aids reliable feeding. Verifying magazine capacity is quick, thanks to easy-to-read numbers with corresponding witness holes. MSRP: $29.95; (800) 328-2447, cmcmags.com
Constructed from heat-treated carbon steel, the ProMag Archangel 1911 Magazine has an eight-round capacity and features a corrosion-resistant, black-oxide finish. A glass-filled-nylon follower ensures smooth feeding and the chrome-silicone spring allows for long-term, fully loaded storage without losing tension. A low-profile endplate is compatible with extended mag wells. MSRP: $24.25; (800) 438-2547, promagindustries.com
The Gen II Tripp Research 8R-45-RG CobraMag features CNC-machined feed lips engineered for the specific caliber of your pistol, along with a tube and base-pad design that allows for more spring coils than other 1911 magazines. The hybrid design of its anti-tilt follower features polymer and steel to reduce wear. MSRP: $34.95; (877) 837-9445, trippresearch.com
The Wilson Combat 1911 Elite Tactical Magazine sports a non-tilt follower made of self-lubricating polymer that completely supports the ammunition to prevent malfunctions like nose-dives and double-feeds. The tube’s body is built using a proprietary welding, deburring and finishing process, creating a super-smooth seam that ensures snag-free follower movement for greater reliability. MSRP: $34.95; (800) 955-4856, wilsoncombat.com
The Ed Brown 8-Pack Magazine features a slightly lengthened magazine body for true eight-round capacity. A wraparound base pad accommodates the extra round without sacrificing the company’s original follower design, while its heavy-duty spring enhances reliability. The internal contact surfaces are coated in a self-lubricating finish to repel powder residue. MSRP: $38.95; (573) 565-3261, edbrown.com