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AEA wrote:

Mahzik wrote:Guess I'll try to take them back to the store and order some from Tripp Research.

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll report back after I've taken they are delivered and I've had a chance to go to the range.

How did you make out with the Tripp mags?

Mine are ordered and I should have them Tuesday. I edited my original post in this thread and decided to get the best. So I put the ED Brown factory mags (Checkmates) and the Springfield factory mags (also Checkmates) back in their gun boxes and will use Tripp exclusively.

I ordered 2 7-round magazines and and 2 8-round magazine with base pads that fit my STI Guardian and have not had a single problem with them. That includes a training class where I went through about 250 rounds in 3 hours or so. I'm very happy and would highly recommend the Tripp Research magazines.

ghostrider wrote:I've been happy with the Act-Mag as well. They are OEM manufacturer for some other 1911 magazines.

http://www.act-mag.com/index.php/id-1911-mags.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

here's a whole forum dedicated to 1911 magazine:
http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=53" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

OK, I went to the 1911 magazine forum and will admit that I'm totally confused! Those guys/gals are way beyond my level of understanding. I don't even think I want to get that technical about how magazines work!

ghostrider wrote:I've been happy with the Act-Mag as well. They are OEM manufacturer for some other 1911 magazines.

http://www.act-mag.com/index.php/id-1911-mags.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

here's a whole forum dedicated to 1911 magazine:
http://forum.m1911.org/forumdisplay.php?f=53" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks ghostrider. Actually, Act-Mag is the brand that came with my STI Guardian. Guess I should have looked closer to figure that out.

Well, I called Tripp Research today and asked if they had a base plate that would fit the 8 round magazine and allow me to use it in the officer frame without over-inserting it. After checking in the back, they told me they did but t wasn't listed on the web site, so I ordered an extra 7 round magazine and several 8 round magazines with the special base plate. As someone pointed out to me, you only need the 7 round magazine when you are concealed - if you have to reload, they know you've got a gun! I figured for training classes and range time the one extra round would be nice.

Thanks for all of the advice. I'll report back after I've taken they are delivered and I've had a chance to go to the range.

Well, because I was going to a training class this morning, I had to stick with what I could find a local gun stores. Ended up picking up both a 7 round and an 8 round Wilson Combat magazine. I can say I'm not terribly impressed. First time I went to load the 7 round mag, the follower shot out of the magazine. Got it put back together and it ran fine, but loading was a bit of an issue - I had to be very careful with the first round. I had no issues loading the 8 round magazine, but it did fail to feed and chamber a round one time - even after several tap-racks, removing and reinserting the magazine and trying again. Tried it again later and didn't have any issues. New gun, new mags so I don't know where the issue was.

Guess I'll try to take them back to the store and order some from Tripp Research.

Thanks again to everyone for the advice.

Thanks for the info and the links, ghostrider

I'm just purchased my first 1911 - an STI Guardian this past weekend. It is an officer's frame and came with only one 7 round magazine and the vendor I purchased the gun from was out of any extra magazines. I'm looking to purchase several additional magazines and have to admit I'm getting confused. Call me picky, but In the past, I have always purchased "factory" magazines for my handguns. I called STI and they told me to purchase any "quality" officer's size magazine. So, I did a few internet searches and found multiple options within even the same manufacturer.

So, here are my (admittedly uneducated) questions:

1. What qualifies as a "quality" brand magazine? Any that I should completely avoid?
2. Will each of the 6, 7 or 8 round officer size magazines fit?
3. Besides the obvious, what is the difference between 6, 7 and 8 round magazines?
4. Would I be better off taking my STI to the store and test fitting actual magazines or are they truly interchangeable?

Thanks in advance. The 1911 newbie appreciates any advice and guidance.