1911 Mag Wells Info

[gwashorn]

OK, not even been able to get to the range much for enjoying my new SA 1911. New sights on order and will be in a few weeks. So noting the mag well. I know I like the new 8 round Chip McCormick mags I got but do note I wish I had a little bit better feed area to put them in. So looking for recommendations on adding a mag well to my 1911. Nothing radical, IDPA friendly, not interfere with Conceal Carry. Just simple enhancement that offers a bit more help inserting a new mag under mental pressure. I know this group WILL have opinions. Thanks

Gary

[The Annoyed Man]

I put a set of Magrips, from Brownells on my Springfield Loaded, and really, REALLY like them. They create a magwell for your gun (see the pics).

The grip panels are longer than "stock" and so is the included mainspring housing. They come together to form an extended magwell. The grips and the mainspring housing are deeply checkered aluminum. The grips also feel a little bit slimmer than the stock grips.

Here's what they look like on my pistol:




(pardon the dust, this is a carry gun)

The magazines are Cobra Mags from Tripp Research.

[MoJo]

One of the best magwells on the market is the Smith & Alexander it is a magwell and mainspring housing all in one. But, for a carry gun I would not use one. Tap, rack, bang drills are difficult with a magwell unless you have the proper bumper pads on your mags and some bumper pads won't work with a mag well. I don't have a magwell on any of my 1911 handguns and have never had a problem doing a reload.

[WEC]

TAM, that is a really cool accessory. I was thinking of getting a Smith & Alexander or Wilson Combat extended magwell/mainspring housing but now I'm considering the Magrip. Thanks for the info! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread!

[gwashorn]

thanks guys and TAM, nice pics. Have not seen that method to create a mag well. I like the ones on the SA TRP models and seemed less pronounced so that it would not interfere for CCW if proper magazine with bumpers was used. I will have to find some practice time with my stock SA Loaded to make sure where I fall in my use of it. My understanding or have seen on google searches that the Smith & Alexander is the unit SA uses on the TRP but I could not find it on the SA web site.

Gary

[gwashorn]

Well, update on what I chose. I got the S&A Magwell, anodized aluminum for my Springfield PX9104LP. It matches the frame very well. I had the Arms Room gunsmith, Mark, install it for me in case it needed some fitting. Feels and looks great. But he asked about my trigger. Springfield says the Loaded comes with a 5-6 lb trigger. He said the new MSH and spring was about 8 lbs plus he replaced the original and it too was 8 lbs. He worked on it and got it to just over 5 lbs. Feels great, breaks clean and smooth and really does shoot better. But I was disappointed that the stated level from springfield was not as close as it should have been. Now waiting on some new VZ grips. When I get them, I will post pics. Shoots nice though.

Gary

[gregthehand]

I use the Ed Brown magwells myself. With a Wilson Combat mag tapping the mag in is easy. One cool thing is that for whatever reason you want to use the pistol without the magwell all you have to do is remove it with an allen wrench