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Well as I said in a another thread, The Kimber is here. Looks like a fine well made gun, as I have expected.. Anyway, as we all know it came with only one magazine and I would like your opinion/guidance as to what kind of mag to buy.. I have heard about Wilson 47D, are they worth the moneyfor my Kimber?? Other options?? Thanks in advance!!
I also read this comment on another forum as I was lurking around to get more info on my new gun.. Is this observation true???

Thanks again for your replies...

He was referring to a Kimber..

"After having it 2 weeks, I dicovered a long thread on a 1911 forum - I saw the dreaded "gouge" - using a magazine w/ a metal follower will damage the inside of the aluminum frame. Over time, it can get pretty excessive. Why would Kimber sell a mag with their own gun that will damage it right before your very eyes as you shoot it?

I then checked my gun out - in that spot inside of the frame, I saw the very beginning of the mark - This was after just 200 rounds. Also, I did not think about the fact that while my Beretta has an aluminum frame, the steel barrel acts as the feed ramp - the 1911 uses the frame as part of the feed ramp. After 400 rounds, I already had some visual wear in the metal where the bullet rubs the frame when it is loaded into the barrel. Also, that gouge inside the frame got a little bigger.

I tried Wilson mags w/ a plastic follower, but the gun would only work with the stock mags and metal follower. I then sold the $908 + tax gun for about $150 less, because that was all I could get for it. I am kinda angry that I spend about $1k on a gun that actually wore before my very eyes. If I had that after 400 rounds, I could imagine how it would be after 2000.

Kimber really should use plastic followers in their aluminum guns, and they should also put a ramped barrel in them.

I personally will never buy another aluminum 1911 again. And, I have been a bit angry at Kimber ever since...
".. end of quote..

Does your Kimber come with an aluminum alloy frame? I think those are the only ones affected. The steel units are okay. I did not use the stock mag because I don't think they are up to par on my standards. Springs are a little weak to my liking. I use CMCs, Metalforms, and Wilsons and all have been working great on my Kimber. One thing I wouldn't mind trying is Tripp Research's Cobra mags or buy their spring/follow kits for your current mags.

Thanks Kinny..whewww, just checked my frame is steel. now, I'm on a good mag search/shopping.So I take it you're cool with wilson 47d ?

Reysc wrote:Thanks Kinny..whewww, just checked my frame is steel. now, I'm on a good mag search/shopping.So I take it you're cool with wilson 47d ?

Wilsons are nice, but it has its own fault. The 47Ds have a plastic mag follower which eases the loading process, but springs will need maintainence every once in a while. Because it accomadates 8 rounds instead of 7, it will wear out and become weak when you load and unload them. All springs will in reality, but the Wilson springs tend to wear out on you quicker. Weak springs will cause your 1911 to malfunction. You can upgrade to Wolff or Tripps springs then.

Rey, your Custom II is all steel as you've already figured out. The aluminum frame gouging issue is a big one that's for sure.

I have a few Kimbers and I've had great success with Novak mags in all of them. They have metal followers but they are not split on the end like the Kimber and McCormick mags. Even in my Ultra CDP II which DOES have an aluminum frame, the followers on the Novak's do not dig into the frame of the gun.
Not only are the Novak's extremely well made and functionally excellent in my experience, they are about $10 LESS than the Wilson 47D's.
The Wilson 47 series mags are very well made also but I have recently begun to notice that on a few of mine that I've been using for IDPA, the plastic followers are starting to show significant wear and are failing to lock the side open after the last round.
The last two matches I used Novak mags and had no issues.

I've paid as little as $12 each for the Novak mags and in my opinion they are as good or better than any other 1911 magazine on the market with the exception of Tripp Research mags which I have not tried and cannot compare.

Thanks again KinnyLee and Highvelocity for your replies!

update and follow up questions for you Sirs.. I just got two mags ( cobra) from Tripp Research. Got hose w/ rubber bumpers but I notice that while they fit (click) it does not sit flush. It has maybe 1/16th ( maybe less) of an inch gap from the butt of the grip... It's an 8 round mag ..Is that normal?? I also bought ann upgrade spring/follwer for the stock Kimber mag... Thanks for your replies..

Reysc wrote:I just got two mags ( cobra) from Tripp Research. Got hose w/ rubber bumpers but I notice that while they fit (click) it does not sit flush. It has maybe 1/16th ( maybe less) of an inch gap from the butt of the grip... It's an 8 round mag ..Is that normal??

I use the Cobra mags in a Kimber Custom II. Yes, they do protrude a little, although the mag well extension on my gun covers the gap completely.

I've never had a bit of trouble with them.

Thanks for the heads up!! Now, mag well shopping.. off I go!! What kind and where to buy ?? Never ending spending spree

Anyone have a link for good prices on the Novak mags ?

Thanks !

http://novaksights.com/whats_new.htm#NOVAK_MAGAZINES

Dave T..
Check this link.I was thinking of buying Novak myself but ended up getting the cobra mags from Tripp Research.. The price is just about the same...
Later

Dave T,

One more time.. The first link I gave you was not working right...


http://novaksights.com/