1911 magazine choices?

[AFJailor]

I have never competed in any firearms tournament, however, I have always really wanted to get into it. So, with this tax return I will be ordering a Les Baer 1911, but I really dont know what type of magazines to get, I have heard that wilson is the best, but I have also heard that their Quality was really gone down hill. Any suggestions on what to purchase?

Other questions:

1.) Do I just need 4 magazines?
2.) What capacity mags should I get, 8 or 10? I know there is the limited and then the limited 10 and whatnot, but can I use the 10 rounders in a limited match?
3.) Also curious on what belt/holster combo's you guys go with, I have a pretty good idea of what I want but I want to know what you guys use as well.

Oh, I guess I should say I plan on competing IPSC and USPSA.

[Skiprr]

I've gone with Wilson for many years.

I just bought four of the new Wilson "Elite Tacitcal" mags, and I gotta say they are the best I've ever owned.

Hands down--though they ain't cheap--this is what I'll be buying in the future:

http://www.wilsoncombat.com/a_magazines_ETM.asp

[KD5NRH]

Any suggestions on what to purchase?

I have yet to have any trouble with my Chip McCormick mags, though it seems nobody carries the blued ones with bumper pads anymore. OTOH, I probably should buy a few stainless ones so I can keep different handloads separate more easily.

1.) Do I just need 4 magazines?

No, you need one more. Once you have it, you will still need one more. Lather, rinse, repeat.

[TX Rancher]

Another vote for Wilson. I have used many in the past, and except for one problem with a spring, they've been excellent.

[anygunanywhere]

+1 for Wilson combat

Anygun

[nitrogen]

Check out this article that a friend of mine wrote about 1911 magazines.
He's managed to find a oneness with the 1911 that's amazing to me.

http://how-i-did-it.org/magazines/

He recommends what he calls the "factory colt hybrid mags"

[AFJailor]

Thanks for all the input. Do any of you use ten rounders or just stick with the 8 round mags?

[Jeremae]

I use the Wilson 47D 8 rounders and have had NO problems in 2 different 1911s.

I use only the 8 rounders as that is the max you can load in the IDPA class CDP that I shoot plus magazine can not protrude from bottom of gun by rule.

The one time I looked at a ten round mag in a full size 1911 it looked like concealment would be difficult.

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

I carry a Wilson Combat 8 rounder in the mag, and 2 Chip McCormick 10 rounders in a mag carrier when I carry my 1911. I've never had any problems with any 1911 mags except for a super cheapie a friend picked up for me at a gun show. He was being nice, though, so I never said anything!

[Texasdoc]

I use Wilson 47D's for carry and Comp and never had a problem with them.


Doc

[anygunanywhere]

Thanks for all the input. Do any of you use ten rounders or just stick with the 8 round mags?

I have some 10 rounders for my full size Springfield Armory. They do make it tough to conceal but it is not one of my carry handguns. If I ever need to strap it on to carry it during ant TEOFWAWKI scenarios they will work fine.

There! I snuck something in to add to the zombie stuff. Zombies are plentiful when TEOTWAWKI happens.

Anygun

[Mike1951]

I guess I'll have to be different here.

I have never seen any reason to buy anything but the Mec-Gar 8-rd mags.

Nothing else could possibly work any better than these work.

Midway prices run $20.99/blue, $21.99/silver, and $27.99/stainless.

Gun show prices are usually about $17/blue and $19/silver.

To me, spending more money for anything else is just wasting money.

[AEA]

I personally think that every Pistol Manufacturer should include Wilson Combat Mags with every .45 ACP they sell!

[MoJo]

I guess I'll have to be different here.

I have never seen any reason to buy anything but the Mec-Gar 8-rd mags.

Nothing else could possibly work any better than these work.

Midway prices run $20.99/blue, $21.99/silver, and $27.99/stainless.

Gun show prices are usually about $17/blue and $19/silver.

To me, spending more money for anything else is just wasting money.

The MecGar and ACT mags are highly reliable both are made in Italy. Many European handguns use MecGar mags as OEM mags. Act makes mags for Novak, Wolff, and several others. The best prices on MecGar, ACT and McCormick mags that I have found is at CDNN.

[SRVA]

AFJailer, The new Wilson "tactical elites" are designed to hold 8 rounds instead of being modified 7 round magazines. The body is about 1/4 of an inch longer than any other 1911 magazine, including the older Wilson mags. They work great. I used 5 of them during December preparing for a match, then used them in the match with no problems. They are a great magazine.

Regarding 10 round magazines. I have used them and they work fine but they are not legal to use in IDPA or USPSA Single Stack. 8 rounders work fine in all my pistols.