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1911 Magazines

otter6412
I want to buy additional magazines for my Kimber. I would appreciate recommendations
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • otter6412
    i have a kimber "custom" (fullsize) 1911. will magazines from other manufacturers be interchangable as long as they're all for single stack 1911's? example, could i use a para 1911 single stack .45 mag in a kimber single stack .45 1911? also i'm interested in purchasing some aftermarket magazines with the base pads. i have added a magwell and need the base pad to help seat the mag without having to shove a finger in there to make sure it's seated. promag? mec-gar? wilson combat? which are the good ones? thanks in advance
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  • Pistollero1050
    looks like they were never blued or they may have been reformed.
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  • NOAH
    send them to me so i can study them[:p],will get back too you[:D][}:)]
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  • bentley47
    Nice try NOAH.
    The two tone is a "feature" of very desirable 1911 (WWI era) mags - OR copies.
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  • mrpvc
    The followers look like Chip McCormick " Shooting Star"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLN6JOxZEo8

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pubf7IeAwBo
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  • 45er
    Just a guess-- may have been kept, top down, in a leather mag-holster, and the tannins from such ate away the top part of the original finish?
    WHich may explain the change in all four mags seems fairly uniform in intensity, as well as dimensionally.
    EDIT: Ah, well search about on the now twice mentioned intentional 2-toning. INteresting.
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  • babun
    If I remember right this is the serial range for the guns that used the 2 tones.
    Two-tone unmarked base, serials from about C112,000 to C175,000.

    Two-tone marked base, serials from about C170,000 to C199,000.

    Now if they had a lanyard loop, they are worth $$$$ Bob
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  • geeguy
    FYI:


    WWI Mag Notes:
    Many variations of magazines exist for 1911 pistols as well as for the 1911A1s. Many collectors consider that it is very important to have the correct magazine for a collectable pistol. Some of these early magazines are almost impossible to find, and when sold, bring hundreds of dollars.

    The earliest magazines (Step Base Bottom) do not appear to be two toned, but were heat treated and the halves show a slight difference in color. The type 1 magazine shows part of the bottom plate in the side view. These were used from serial #1 through about serial #4500. The second type magazine had a cut-out in the rear wall that allowed the sides to flex and avoided cracking the upper rear corners. The type II was used from about serial #4500 to serial #30000. The third type magazine had a lanyard loop as did the previous two types. The type III was used from about serial 30000 to about serial #130000. The type 4 magazine had no lanyard loop. And was used from about serial #130000 to the end of WWI. the All magazines where two tone until approximately 1940. Full blued magazines started shipping around serial number 719,753. Reference Charles Clawsons "Colt .45 Service pistols".

    Common subcontractors identification marks on WWI mags are located on the top lip of base and included A, B, L, R, and R on the bottom of base. Colt, Remington-UMC, and Springfield had unmarked mags as well.

    WWII Mag Notes:
    (S)Scovill, (R)Risdon, and (L)Little mags was used by Remington Rand, Ithaca, and US&S; (G)General Shaver Div mags where used by Remington Rand. Common stamps on WWII mags on top lip of base L, R, S and G. Sometimes present on the bottom of the base a C-L, C-R, C-S which implied it was subcontracted for Colt. See images below.

    *Little magazines have been seen with two font variations (Block and Roman) "L" and "L".

    Commercial:
    *Colt didn't start adding the "Colt 45 Auto" to the bottom of the base until 1933-34 around serial number C170,000. These mags are easy to spot because they have a two tone blued finish.
    *Lanyard Loops on the base of the mags were the standard until around serial # C95,000 or 1919. There are two variations of this mag as well. Until C3500 Commercial magazines had a punch and saw cut slot (Keyhole) on the back of the magazine

    Note: could not get pictures to transfer - go to: www.coolgunsite.com/pistols/magazines

    Hope that helps
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  • otter6412
    I went to coolgunsite and I do believe they are Type 4 by Colt produced in WW1. That's exciting news cause all I have is a WW2 Ithica 1911 A1. Now I have to get a WW1 1911!
    Thanks.

    -Otter
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