Magazine question for Kimber owners:

DaveT · #1

Given the choice, would you go with a Wilson Combat magazine or the Kimpro TAC-MAG magazine for your Kimber ?

Just curious to hear opinions on each. I currently use Wilson Combat mags, found a Kimpro TAC-MAG on e-bay for a good price and I am impressed with the quality.

cyphur · #2

I have 2 Wilson Combat mags and the one Kimber mag that came with the gun.

That will be converted to a Wilson spring/follower as well. FWIW......

DaveT · #3

Cyphur,

Thanks. I am familiar with the poor quality of Kimber's factory mags that come with a gun, I dumped mine pretty quick. What I'm wanting to know a little more about is Kimber's high end KIMPRO TAC-MAG. versus the Wilson Combat mags.

Appreciate your input !

#4

Wilson 47D all the time

G.C.Montgomery · #5

I bought two of the Kim-Pro mags. I have rounds repeatedly nosing over and ramming the bottom of the feed ramp rather than cycling normally. The base pads had to be trimmed to clear my S&A magazine wells. If your S&A is thoroughly blended with the frame on all sides, this isn't an issue.

I've only put a couple hundred rounds through the new magazines. So, I don't yet know how the lips will hold up. In hard use, I end up replacing Wilson bodies or sending them back to Wilson after 8-12 months. I've only had the Kim-Pro's in service for a couple months...Time will tell if they last as long as the Wilson's.

I can say the catch ledge appears to be slightly lower than is the case on the Wilson. The result is the magazine wants to sit higher in the gun which should promote better feeding, yet the rounds still nose over into the bottom of the feed ramp. I also noticed it's REALLY hard to eject a fully charged magazine if the slide is down on ALL my single-stack 1911's with this magazine.

That's all I can add for now.

longtooth · #6

I have been wondering if the new K mags would be better but would not buy any to JUST TRY THEM. After this report I will stick to the tried & true, time verified & trusted. Thank you G.C.

HighVelocity · #7

I use Wilson, Novak and the standard Chip McCormick 8 rounders. Interestingly, when shooting matches the mags that have run the best are the McCormicks. All mags are not reliable in all guns. My Springfield GI has constant malfunctions with Wilson mags but runs fine with everything else. My baby Kimber works best with Novaks. It's a matter of trial error.

The Marshal · #8

HighVelocity wrote:I use ... standard Chip McCormick 8 rounders. Interestingly, when shooting matches the mags that have run the best are the McCormicks.

Same here.
I was told to get the McCormick's for my Warrior, and I bought 3 for using at the range. Between those 3 mags, I have fired over 1200-1500 rounds downrange with nary a hiccup.
Did I mention I love my .45?

These work, consistently and reliable.

~Bill

longtooth · #9

W.C. & Chip are the 2 brands I have. They both have run w/ complete reliability. No need to Change. I think the Novac, MecGar, & Metalform are as good just not as available in this area. If it aint broke don't fix it.

rodc13 · #10

I use Wilson Combat mags in both my Kimbers (Desert Warrior and Ultra CDP II). Never a hiccup. I especially appreciate Wilson's use of the polymer follower for loading in the aluminum-framed CDP. I have acquired the low-profile base pads for the 47OXTs I use in the Ultra, my primary carry piece.

ElGato · #11

I use McCormick's in my Kimbers and Colts.

MoJo · #12

Wilson, McCormick, Mec-Gar (sold under several names) and Metalform are the primo 1911 mags in my book. Others may be good, I would trust these with my life.

Texican_gal · #13

No one has mentioned Tripp Cobra Mags. I have a couple and like them very much. Made in Texas ... for 1911 style only.

http://trippresearch.com/products/products.htm

Just a happy customer.

Also, this is my first post here. Hello everyone!

Virgil Tripp did work on 1911 pistols, but their plating business has really expanded (due to people talking on the web about the great results they got) and now they don't have time anymore.

DaveT · #14

Welcome Texican_gal !

Thanks for the info on the Tripp mags, and to everyone else for their replies.

While I currently use Wilson Combat mags, the new Kimber Kimpro Tac-Mags peaked my curiousity, thus prompting my asking on several boards what others thought of them. I have purchased a couple and will try them out at the range this week. I have a line on two more at a good price if I like them half as much as I think I will. I especially like to be able to remove the base plate for cleaning the insides. They also come with two different sizes of black base pads, the smaller size works perfect with the magwell on my Tactical Ultra II.

Texican_gal · #15

Thank you for the welcome, DaveT!

I must say, that I prefer the plastic follower (which is on both the Wilson and the Tripp magazines) to the steel one on the Kimber mags. I just looked at the KimPro and it still has the steel follower.

Maybe someone with more experience can tell us if this makes any real difference ....

P.S. I also have a Kimber (Eclipse Pro). I plan to remove the ambi-safety ....