1911 Magazine Cracks

greywolf67nt

greywolf67nt

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Has anyone else had this happen to their mags and if so did you determine what was causing it? We just noticed today at the range when wouldn't just slip in like normal and had a closer look.
6 of 9 mags from one manufacturer all have varying degrees of these cracks. Some of them it is just one side some it is both.
The worst part is I have just amassed them through trades along the way. They aren't ABTF or anything and don't look like they've been used a lot.
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My buddy bought 6 aftermarket mags for his kimber (forget brand) Factory mags were 3 years old fine , 5 of aftermarket ones cracked liked yours in 2 years. He bought Chip McCormick mags as replacements and has had no issues since.
 
I have seen that with a ejector that was to long in a friends Colt he had a long ejector installed and never fitted properly . Split several mags before we figured it out.
 
greywolf67nt said:
You're talking one of the ones you just CRAM 8 rounds in at one go correct?
Either just my thumb or my wife uses her Uplula.
Can't speak for the previous owners.
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Yeah those “zipper” style that jam up and you push it harder till something gives. MecGar makes OEM and private label for a lot of companies. Any info stamped on the spine, holes patterns?
 
Looks like operator error loading the magazines. Look at the lips. They are almost totally vertical. One feed lip is even broken, or totally worn down it seems. Someone’s forcing the rounds into the mag while loading. Can’t believe the rounds even stay in the mag with lips like that.
 
Stupid thought, I apologize in advance, but could they be 9mm, or .38sup mags loading .45s in them?
Not sure if this is even possible, but I’ve seen weirder things with guns.
 
This is a common problem. The industry has been well aware of it as far back as the 80s. Even Colt mags will do it. This is one of the reasons why a curve was designed in the rear of the mag (to alleviate a sharp 90 degree bend which was thought at one time to promote a crack).

It usually happens on old well used mags and nothing was really designed to fix it.

Throw the mag away. There will be nothing but feed problems from now on if you continue using it. Rounds will pop out prematurely as the feed lips are now sprung too far apart.

Recommend buying Wilson Combats. They are the best quality mag going and advertise the strongest mag tube yet.
 
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PSE said:
This is a common problem. ...
It usually happens on old well used mags and nothing was really designed to fix it. ...
Click to expand...

Exactly this - Mags are a consumable. It's the nature of the beast.

Some last longer than others, and some tolerate abuse better, but they all fail eventually. They must be serviced and replaced regularly if they're being used for serious purposes.
 
Back when I shot a 1911 for ipsc I'd experience this same thing and I believe it was the result of dropping partially filled mags on concrete. Higher grade mags were the cure.
 
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