1911 Mag Issue.

[fantacmet]

I have a new Kimber .45(only one box of 50 rounds through it), and the stock blued mag catches just fine. When I purchased it I also picked up a pair of Kimber polished stainless mags to go with it. I can't remember if they ever caught, but I just noticed they aren't catching. I can drive the magazine home, and nothing. It stays in due to the friction that the mag release spring imparts on the mag, but thats it. In addition it will not strip a round from the spare mags. I have tried with and without the Kimber bumper pads on both the spares and the factory provided mag. Everything on this pistol is Kimber. The pistol itself, the provided mag, the 2 spares, and the bumper pads for the bottom of the mags, everything is Kimber. I've tried the mags both loaded and unloaded, same result. I've looked at the bottom where the bottom plate protrudes out from the front of the mag and it is making contact with the frame, so it can't go any deeper.

Any idea's on this? Sound like a mag issue? Pistol issue? I don't know if I still have the reciepts for the spare mags or not, but since I bought everything on plastic, they should have it in their records. I bought the pistol and mags at the same place. Should I call the store where I bought it and see fi they will exchange the mags? I can't afford to send the whole shebang off to Kimber for a few weeks. I don't exactly have a surplus of pistols I can use for concealed carry.

[Slick]

I sounds like the locking slot (on the magazine) is just a touch too low and doesn't go high enough for the magazine lock to engage.

Try removing the slide in looking down (from the top) into the mag-well while seating the magazine. Try the one that works and the ones that don't.

All it may need it for the slot (on the magazine) for the lock to catch might need to be filed higher (ever so slightly).

If you know someone with .45acp mags - see if you can try them out. If most mags won't lock - then the culprit may be the magazine catch. The good news is that a magazine catch is easy to remove and work on. I like to remove the mag catch and polish the "ramp" as this yeilds smoother magazine insertion.

[fantacmet]

Thanks for the polishing tip. The part that makes me think it's the floor plate is even inserted all the way, the slide won't strip a round from the mag when inserted. To be honest I haven't checked the other spare mag yet. It's in the car and I'm just too lazy to go get it. Lately I've been keeping one spare in the car and one in the house. The one in the house I usually take with me, but I keep one in the car just in case. I don't have to worry about running out of ammo in the house really, as I have the AR sitting here, as well as the shotgun. The wife's instructors are to rgabt he shotgun or her .22, both of which she knows how to operate fine. She knows how to operate the other pistols but doesn't have the strength to pull back the slides. Anyhow. The not stripping a round from the top of the mag is what has me concerned. Otherwise I woulda filed on the mag a bit already in that little slot. I'm used to using carbide files to remove plastic and softer metals, so taking just the tiniest bit of metal off until it works is not a problem for me. Just might take awhile. In order to look down the mag well and into the mag, I'll have to dissassemble the mag. Bummer is it's one of those with the welded floor plate. Well even Kimber ain't perfect, even though their 1911's are close.

[fantacmet]

I just figured it out. The thing looks to be about a round too short to go into the pistol. It looked to be the same size as the stock mag. Since both spares will go the same depth into the spare mag pouch, then I have to assume that both are identical in size. No wonder it won't strip a round. They are nice mags but too short. Like they are for the compact model. Which if so, both them and my stock mag hold only 7 rounds, shouldn't the stock mag hold an extra round in theory since there is space to do so? I'll get all three mags together and take pictures as soon as I can.

[Kali Komrade]

Hmmm sounds like they may have sold you mag for one of there concealed carry pistols... Like an officers model... Another thing I noticed at one of my past tactical shoots was a good buddie of mine runs a sig 45 now and then not even a 1911 model but guess what the mags are almost a spot on match except where the catch engages the mag... I think were going to see more of these miss match mag situations...
Sounds like a good tutorial... Make sure you take some good pictures of those mags before you ditch them...

[fantacmet]

Well if the shop won't take them back I plan on speaking to management and informing them face to face why I will never do business with them again, which is a shame because 6 out of my 8 firearms have come from them. 5 out of those six in the last 2 years. I've also helped to sell guns when I was at the counter purchasing myself. At that time I will be posting them up for a trade probably. They look to be almost exactly 1 round too short. That just ticks me off, they assured me they were the right bags. GRUMBLE. My 1911 is not a fullsize model, but it ain't tht compact either.

[Slick]

Hmmm sounds like they may have sold you mag for one of there concealed carry pistols... Like an officers model...

My thought exactly..

[fantacmet]

Well this is supposed to be a kind of a carry pistol, it's not exactly a compact, but it ain't fullsized either. It's a Kimber Pro Carry II.

[GUNRUNNER5150]

how many rounds fit in your mags, the ultra compact model mags should only hold 6, to where the midsize and full size hold 7 factory mag and 8 in the replacement mags.

i have a kimber fullsize so the result here will have my interest.

[Kali Komrade]

There are so many 1911 variations out there now...

fantacmet do you have a commander style 1911 it just has the shorter slide and barrel... If its a commander style they just take standard 1911 mags...

[fantacmet]

I believe it's a commander. Original mag, and the spares, all hold 7 rounds. I'll get a pic soon next to a ruler.

[Slick]

Try holding the magazine against the outside of the grip (to the depth that it would seat) - and see if it looks like the magazine catch lines up with the slot in the mag.

[fantacmet]

I've popped the loaded spare in with the slide removed, and it doesn't go up hight enough to strip a round off. In fact it is about 1 round too short it appears.

[Kali Komrade]

Sounds like a mag for an officers model to me...

Anyone know what the capacity of the officer models are aren't they 6-7 rounds... I know the Comander/1911a1 is between 7-8...

[GUNRUNNER5150]

officers in kimber should be 6 rounds, i amost bought a compact model but went ahead with the full size which came with a 7 rd mag - but will take a 8 rounder flush.