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RickB · October 30, 2013, 01:42 PM

I've been shooting 1911s enthusiastically for only about twenty years. I was in your boat, circa 1992. I bought one example each of the popular 8-rounders (at that time, Wilson, McCormick, and Mag-Pack), and decided on McCormick. The first set of Shooting Star mags were good, but the springs needed replacing every couple of years. I replaced them with Power Mags, and those ran with no problems for years.
When a new player came on the high-performance 1911 mag market a few years ago, they were looking for help. They sought out LEO and competition shooters, and incorporated their suggestions into the mags. Stronger springs, basepad material reformulated to better withstand impacts, tighter tolerances, etc.
A group at my IDPA club would use sample mags, send feedback, and get mags modified to address our issues within a couple of months. More tests, more improvements. The final production version of the mag is at least as good as anything made by anybody, and much better than most.
I've retired my McCormicks, ACT-MAGs, Metalforms, and use nothing but Check-Mate Industries mags. They are OEM suppliers to Colt, Kimber, Nighthawk Custom, and others, so you may have some Check-Mate mags, already.
For general use, I like the extended-tube 8-rounders: http://www.checkmatemagazines.com/ca...&idproduct=112
I think Check-Mate is the only maker of quality, milspec 7-rounders: http://www.checkmatemagazines.com/ca...1&idproduct=27

The Wilson mag that I bought twenty years ago? It's been fully-loaded since 1992, and gets tested for function every couple of years. It's still feeding great, and still won't lock-back the slide on my Colt.

October 30, 2013, 01:42 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I've been shooting 1911s enthusiastically for only about twenty years. I was in your boat, circa 1992. I bought one example each of the popular 8-rounders (at that time, Wilson, McCormick, and Mag-Pack), and decided on McCormick. The first set of Shooting Star mags were good, but the springs needed replacing every couple of years. I replaced them with Power Mags, and those ran with no problems for years. When a new player came on the high-performance 1911 mag market a few years ago, they were looking for help. They sought out LEO and competition shooters, and incorporated their suggestions into the mags. Stronger springs, basepad material reformulated to better withstand impacts, tighter tolerances, etc. A group at my IDPA club would use sample mags, send feedback, and get mags modified to address our issues within a couple of months. More tests, more improvements. The final production version of the mag is at least as good as anything made by anybody, and much better than most. I've retired my McCormicks, ACT-MAGs, Metalforms, and use nothing but Check-Mate Industries mags. They are OEM suppliers to Colt, Kimber, Nighthawk Custom, and others, so you may have some Check-Mate mags, already. For general use, I like the extended-tube 8-rounders: http://www.checkmatemagazines.com/ca...&idproduct=112 I think Check-Mate is the only maker of quality, milspec 7-rounders: http://www.checkmatemagazines.com/ca...1&idproduct=27 The Wilson mag that I bought twenty years ago? It's been fully-loaded since 1992, and gets tested for function every couple of years. It's still feeding great, and still won't lock-back the slide on my Colt.