With 1911’s and other semi-automatic weapons, a magazine is just as critical as all the other components of the firearm.
A poor magazine can lead to frequent jamming when you try to shoot the weapon, and a firearm that isn’t reliable in a tight spot can’t be used for hunting or for personal defense.
Magazines can fail for any number of reasons, such as being made with poor design specifications, having a bad follower spring, or simply being made with subpar materials so they rust after only a few months.
Fortunately, some of the best 1911 magazines can be found online. You just have to know where to look. We put this guide together and did the research so you don’t have to.
Let’s take a look at some excellent 1911 magazines for multiple different cartridge types and round capacities.
10 Best 1911 Magazines
This magazine is made of quality materials and a rust-resistant blued finish.
Key Features
- 8 round capacity
- 10mm cartridge
- Stainless steel
- Blue finish
This magazine is an excellent choice for standard 10 mm rounds. Technically a high cap 1911 magazine, it allows for a maximum of eight 10 mm rounds; this is up from seven thanks to its orange nylon follower.
The nylon follower has been designed in a concave shape to get a little extra space on the interior of the magazine, bumping the overall capacity to eight.
There are three different floorplate configurations you can choose from when you purchase the magazine. With one of these configurations, you can empty the magazine by opening the floorplate instead of ejecting the spent round like normal. For some shooters, this added versatility is a great bonus.
However, this magazine does have a downside in that the orange nylon follower is very loose. This can cause issues after a lot of use, as after a time some rounds may begin to tilt downward and not be correctly into your rifle.
Pros
- Rust-resistant
- Follower allows additional round
- Three floorplate configurations
Cons
- Follower is very loose
Affordable and capable, this is a good cheap 1911 magazine and is usually long-lasting provided that the specially-designed follower doesn’t bend or break.
2. Brownells 45 ACP
This magazine has a number of innovative features to maximize your ability to switch magazines on the fly.
Key Features
- 8 round capacity
- Stainless steel
- Black Xylan finish
This magazine is designed with a Xylan black exterior coating; this defends the magazine from corrosion damage and reduces friction.
The friction reduction makes it exceptionally easy to load this magazine quickly into your rifle. The polymer base pad lets you drop the magazine without having to worry about damaging it, too.
Most interestingly, this magazine is equipped with an anti-tilt follower that keeps your rounds lined up perfectly for being fed into your 1911 rifle. The follower has an extra power spring that can deliver a found to the firing chamber with exceptional vigor and speed.
However, the downside to this follower is that it sometimes results in a less than ideal loading action. Rounds are occasionally misfed into a rifle, so you have to be careful when shooting in fast-paced situations.
This magazine is, therefore, ideally situated for target practice and playing at the shooting range rather than hunting or serious competitions.
Pros
- Extra-power spring in the follower
- Removable polymer base pad for disassembly
- Corrosion-resistant
- Witness holes for fast round counting
Cons
- Follower isn’t always smooth
This is a great magazine for those who want to put a lot of lead downrange as fast as possible.
3. Wilson Combat Full-Size
This is an excellent example of Wilson Combat; it’s durable and perfect for use with rifles that you shoot frequently.
Key Features
- 8 round capacity
- Stainless steel
- Black finish
- 45 auto cartridge
This magazine has a body made of aircraft-grade stainless steel that has been heat-treated to improve its durability and overall lifespan. Its dimensions are quite tight for 1911 rifles, so be careful if you need to drop the magazine on the fly; deliberate reloading is more necessary for this magazine than others.
The magazine springs here are fabricated with high tensile strength and heavy-duty materials. This ensures that the follower of the magazine continues to work even after hundreds of rounds fired, and it reduces the likelihood of jamming as a result of misfeeding.
The black finish gives the magazine a matte look that can blend in well with military-style rifles and several tactical kits. It’s also equipped with a series of round counting holes to see you can keep track of your current ammunition without having to empty the magazine entirely in a tense situation.
Pros
- Has round counting holes
- Excellent durability
- Springs are high power and durable
- The black finish looks good
Cons
- Doesn’t drop free quickly or easily
It’s an excellent magazine for frequent shooters who need reliable feeding at a constant clip.
4. ARMSCOR USA 22 MAG
This 1911 mag looks distinct from most others and has a lot of smart design choices to keep it competitive relative to more traditionally-painted magazines.
Key Features
- 15 round capacity
- 22 Mag cartridge
- Nickel finish
This magazine is made with a plated nickel finish that rests directly atop its steel body. The nickel finish gives this magazine a distinct look compared to many others and can help the magazine resists corrosive damage after use in inclement weather or wet environments.
The magazine also has a number of round counting holes spaced evenly apart so you can estimate how many bullets you have left before you need to reload.
As a high-capacity 1911 mag, this can be particularly useful if you’ve lost track of your rounds in a tense situation or competition. However, the holes are very small and don’t allow for perfect tracking; only estimates are possible.
The magazine has a padded base to protect it in the event that you drop it straight from your rifle to the ground. The padded bottom also makes slotting the magazine into your rifle easier and more comfortable overall.
Pros
- Does have some round estimate holes
- Nickel finish is helpful and interesting
- Padded bottom protects the magazine.
Cons
- Round estimations aren’t exact
This is a pricey but interesting magazine that will go well with hobbyist hunters and those who like to deck out their rifles with cool-looking parts.
5. Brownells .22LR Conversion
This magazine is durable, efficient when feeding, and easy to keep in your hand when loading.
Key Features
- 10 round capacity
- 22LR cartridge
- Black finish
This magazine has a lot to offer. It has a durable polymer body that looks as solid as it feels. The surface of the body’s textured to help you keep a grip on the magazine even if you are switching with shaky or sweaty hands.
Even if you were to drop the magazine, the bottom is padded and removable for maintenance and cleaning after your shooting session.
More interesting is the tailored lip geometry at the top of the magazine. It’s been machined to a precision shape to help ensure that feeding goes smoothly with each round. This is mostly consistent, although the follower sometimes has issues working as well as the lip.
The biggest downside facing this magazine is its overall tightness and the occasional need for lube for the follower. The follower can sometimes jam and require a little assistance to feed the next round of your weapon.
Meanwhile, the magazine needs some help settling into place due to its high-precision feeding lip; it might take a little filing to find the perfect fit for your firearm.
Pros
- Durable polymer body prevents damage
- Lip geometry tailored for smooth feeding
- Base pad is removable for maintenance
- Textured body helps you keep a grip
Cons
- Requires some wiggling/smacking to feed
- Follower sometimes needs lube
This is an affordable magazine that’s worth a lot more than its asking price, even with the aforementioned minor flaws.
6. Wilson Combat Elite Tactical
This magazine looks and operates well, and it has some well-placed observations spots for round counting.
Key Features
- 10 round capacity
- 38 Super cartridge
- Stainless steel
- Silver finish
This magazine has a lot of value packed into its shell. It has a stainless steel base material with a silver finish to reduce corrosion damage and give it a sleek aesthetic look. In addition, the base pad is removable for both maintenance concerns and so that you can switch it out for a different base pad if you have another favorite.
The interior of the magazine is just as well developed. It has a multistep tumbler process to keep following and feeding smooth and consistent, as well as a slide lock for the nylon follower to protect it when the magazine runs empty.
The rear of the magazine tube has a series of observation slots that are long enough to let you get a good idea of how many shots you have left before needing a reload.
However, the relatively high asking price doesn’t protect this magazine from occasional follower cracking. Despite all of the innovations designed to protect the magazine and keep it working under heavy wear and tear, a nylon follower has a tendency to break with some weapons.
Pros
- Nylon follower has a slide lock
- Multi-step tumbler process
- Rear observation slots
- Removable base pad for maintenance
Cons
- Follower can break easily
This magazine is a bit pricy, but worthwhile so long as you don’t put the follower under too much stress.
7. CM Products Compact
This magazine is mostly made of stainless steel, has a stylish silver finish and one of the best round counting systems we’ve ever seen.
Key Features
- 8 round capacity
- 9mm Luger cartridge
- Silver finish
- Stainless steel
This magazine has a lot of the same innovations we’ve seen from previous 9mm models. It has specially tailored lip geometry to improve feeding consistency and a stainless steel follower that is specifically designed to continue working even under heavy use.
The stainless steel materials used throughout the magazine will ensure that it doesn’t suffer from rust damage, as well.
The follower is further bolstered by a high tensile rocket wire spring. The presence of a numbered witness hole system lets you keep track of how many rounds are still in the magazine by simply checking the printed number next to each slot.
The only real downside to this magazine is the lack of an easily removable bottom pad. The pad is also made of stainless steel, which doesn’t help protect the magazine from damage in the event of dropping it during a fast reload. Take extra care of this magazine to improve its lifespan and keep it working as smoothly as ever.
Pros
- Excellent materials
- Good spring
- Lip feed is well-cut
- Good visual counting system
Cons
- Bottom pad is vulnerable to damage
This magazine is well made and durable enough so long as you don’t drop it.
8. Mec-Gar 45ACP
This magazine is super tough and built to last a matter what you throw at it.
Key Features
- 7 round capacity
- 45 Auto cartridge
- Black nickel finish
This magazine is made of durable carbon steel. The steel is welded into shape with TIG techniques to ensure long-term durability and perfect fitting.
The magazine is heat-treated for further durability with steel followers and without any seams. The result is a magazine that stays together even under heavy duress and lots of dropping accidents.
The black nickel finish helps reduce rust damage and makes it even tougher than before. It’s no stretch to say that this is one of the most durable 1911 magazines on any market.
It has a numbered round counting system with staggered holes see you can keep track of your current round capacity. Overall, the steel follower is the one weak point, as it sometimes jams if you fire really quickly.
Pros
- Excellent durability
- Good round counting system
- Smooth construction and shape
Cons
- Follower isn’t as smooth as some others
Anyone in the market for a lower-capacity magazine will love this product.
9. Tripp Research, Inc. Cobra
This magazine can feed your 1911 firearm consistently and smoothly.
Key Features
- 8 round capacity
- 45 auto cartridge
- Silver finish
- Stainless steel
This magazine has a stainless steel body and a hybrid polymer/steel follower. Both the outside and inside of this magazine is built to last and deliver consistently smooth feeding performance into your 1911 firearm.
The steel portion of the follower engages a slight catch that can prevent the follower from wearing down even under heavy use. You can choose between a welded base or a polymer base pad depending on your preference and durability desires.
Overall, it’s a bit pricey given its round capacity, but the asking price is made worthwhile thanks to its good design qualities and included round counting system.
Pros
- Good construction materials
- Includes round counting system
- Multiple base types available
Cons
- A bit pricey
It’s a great firearm magazine for those who don’t mind spending a few extra bucks for high quality.
10. CM Products RPM
This magazine has a number of innovative design features to put it above other magazines.
Key Features
- 10 round capacity
- 45 auto cartridge
- Stainless steel
Although it costs a little extra compared to many other magazines, this product is more than worth the price. It has a unique dual-wall “feed rail” system that is stronger than other feed lips. This prevents rounds from jamming in the magazine due to warped lips from heavy use.
The magazine also has a body of corrosion-resistant stainless steel to keep it functioning even if used in wet environments. The body is laser welded without any seams so there are no snacks when inserting or dropping the magazine.
Furthermore, the spring for the magazine follower is high tensile strength rocket wire. This wire is perfect for keeping rounds feeding into your weapon without trouble, and it’ll work just as well with a full round stack as it will for a nearly-empty one.
Pros
- Excellent spring for follower
- Good construction materials
- Excellent lip design
Cons
- Pricey
This magazine is phenomenal if you’re concerned about rounds jamming in the heat of the moment.
Bottom Line
Overall, the best 1911 magazine for your needs depends on the cartridge you plan to use and how many rounds you need before reloading. Remember to prioritize magazines that are built with excellent materials, like stainless steel, or which have an extra finish to prevent corrosion damage.
You should also try to find a magazine that has a good spring follower so you can count on smooth round transitions from shot to shot. Nothing ruins a target practice session like a jammed magazine.
Check out the other ammunition related articles put together by the expert team here at Guns & Safety Reviews;
The Review
Best 1911 Magazines
Read through our review of the best 1911 magazines on the market today to help you choose which is the best and most suitable for your needs and use.
Review Breakdown
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Metalform 10mm
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Brownells 45 ACP
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Wilson Combat
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ARMSCOR USA 22 MAG
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Brownells .22LR Conversion
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Wilson Combat Elite Tactical
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CM Products Compact Match Grade
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Mec-Gar 45ACP
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Tripp Research Cobra
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CM Products RPM Magazine
Best 1911 Magazines DEALS
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