Do I have a 1911 problem or a magazine problem?

[Bushwack44]

I have yet to take my Springfield 9MM 1911 Stainless Loaded to the range (just got out of DROS) but while waiting, I bought 3 Wilson mags along with the two that came with the pistol. FWIW...the mags were recommended by Wilson tech support. They are 1911 Elite Tactical Magazines. Item #500-9, 10 rounds (SA mags are 9 rounds).

I noticed with the empty SA mags inserted and the slide locked back (exposing the chamber), I can release the slide stop (after moving the slide further back manually) and the slide will retract.

With any of the 3 empty Wilson mags inserted and the slide locked back(once again exposing the chamber), the slide stop lever will not release; allowing the slide to fall back into place.

I'm assuming this is a Wilson Magazine issue (problem?). If so, should I return the Wilson mags or will the behavior of the Wilson Mags change once rounds are in the mag (I don't have 9MM snap caps and putting rounds in a magazine to 'experiment' is not an option).

I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

[davidb]

Sounds more like a problem with the sa mags

[static2126]

Are you holding down the slide stop when you release the slide? On an empty magazine you need to...that is thr magazine's job to hold it open.

It seems like a user issue. Your springfield mags should work the same way.

Based on your description above with loaded mags this is a non issue

[davidb]

All right I just checked a few different mags and don't worry about it, just depends on the follower, some of my followers will depress with the slide stop, some won't.

[Bushwack44]

Are you holding down the slide stop when you release the slide? On an empty magazine you need to...that is thr magazine's job to hold it open.

It seems like a user issue. Your springfield mags should work the same way.

Based on your description above with loaded mags this is a non issue

With the empty SA mags inserted, I'll rack the slide back and it will lock. I can then nudge the slide back, then push down on the slide stop and the slide will fall back into place.

With any of the empty Wilson mags inserted, I'll rack the slide back and it will lock. I can then barely nudge the slide back (not as much as if the SA mags were inserted) and I can not push down on the slide lock (or I should say the slide lock will not push down) so the slide can retract.

[Bushwack44]

All right I just checked a few different mags and don't worry about it, just depends on the follower, some of my followers will depress with the slide stop, some won't.

So should I assume after emptying a full magazine and the slide stays open, I then release the empty mag and insert a full (Wilson) magazine, I should be able to nudge the slide back then push down on the slide stop for the slide retract (and put a round in the chamber)? In other words, the Wilson mags will behave differently based whether or not a round is in the mag?

[postal]

Clearly the wilsons have a much stronger spring in them making it difficult to fight the spring pressing the slide release.

Push down the follower (outside the gun) and see if you notice a difference in spring weight.

I think you should try it again though, and be sure the slide goes ALL the way back with both mags. A different mag shouldnt make a difference on that.....

[davidb]

So should I assume after emptying a full magazine and the slide stays open, I then release the empty mag and insert a full (Wilson) magazine, I should be able to nudge the slide back then push down on the slide stop for the slide retract (and put a round in the chamber)? In other words, the Wilson mags will behave differently based whether or not a round is in the mag?

Does the wilson follower look more like the black mag and the sa's more like the stainless?

If so yeah they'll behave differently in that aspect, I've never noticed until this thread as I don't close the slide on an empy mag ever

[postal]

So should I assume after emptying a full magazine and the slide stays open, I then release the empty mag and insert a full (Wilson) magazine, I should be able to nudge the slide back then push down on the slide stop for the slide retract (and put a round in the chamber)? In other words, the Wilson mags will behave differently based whether or not a round is in the mag?

No- Not how it works.

The follower itself pushes UP the slide release. So when the mag is empty, and fire the gun (or rack the slide) the follower is pushed up to lock it back.

Now the gun is slide locked.
- drop the mag, insert fresh loaded mag.
-Now, you can EITHER:
1- pull back the slide, and it should slingshot forward
or 2- thumb down the slide release.

With a loaded mag, nothing is pushing the slide release up, you shouldnt have to force it down when you pull the slide back.

[mafbloggerdanny]

the Wilson mags will behave differently based whether or not a round is in the mag?

for ALL 1911 magazines...

a properly functioning magazine will -require- manually pressing down the slide lock lever on an -empty- magazine if they are doing their job correctly. if the magazine is loaded with rounds it should not require manually depressing the slide lock lever and should release simply by pulling the slide. this is proper function for all magazines.


edit_

wow three people posed while i was writing my post haha you guys are on point!

[Bushwack44]

Clearly the wilsons have a much stronger spring in them making it difficult to fight the spring pressing the slide release.

Push down the follower (outside the gun) and see if you notice a difference in spring weight.

I think you should try it again though, and be sure the slide goes ALL the way back with both mags. A different mag shouldnt make a difference on that.....

If by follower you mean the 'tounge' that the first round sits on in a magazine, there is a different shape to the Wilson's vs the SA. The SA tongue goes 7/8 the length of the mag (left to right) while the Wilson mags cover the entire section (left to right) of the mag. FWIW, the springs in the SA mag feel a bit smoother in action (when depressed) that in the Wilson mags.

[himurax13]

OP, have you taken a look at the part of the slide stop that actually touches the follower?

I believe the answer you seek lies there.

[Bushwack44]

No- Not how it works.

The follower itself pushes UP the slide release. So when the mag is empty, and fire the gun (or rack the slide) the follower is pushed up to lock it back.

Now the gun is slide locked.
- drop the mag, insert fresh loaded mag.
-Now, you can EITHER:
1- pull back the slide, and it should slingshot forward
or 2- thumb down the slide release.

With a loaded mag, nothing is pushing the slide release up, you shouldnt have to force it down when you pull the slide back.

Yes, I understand that - thank you.

Now...I have a Sig 1911 that I use both Sig-supplied mags and Wilson mags. The mags behave the same no matter the situation.

I expected the same with the SA 1911. But as I said, the empty Wilson mags will not allow the slide (one open exposing the chamber) to move back a bit further so I can depress the slide stop and allow the slide to sligshot (fall back) into place. Initially not sure if this was a pistol issue or a Wilson mag issue....or not an issue at all.

[postal]

If by follower you mean the 'tounge' that the first round sits on in a magazine, there is a different shape to the Wilson's vs the SA. The SA tongue goes 7/8 the length of the mag (left to right) while the Wilson mags cover the entire section (left to right) of the mag. FWIW, the springs in the SA mag feel a bit smoother in action (when depressed) that in the Wilson mags.

Yes- the 'tongue' the very first round sits on is called a 'follower'.

And by "smoother"... do you mean 'lighter'? Easier to press down?

Thats what I mean- Why you can fight the SA mags with a weaker spring pushing the slide release... and the stiffer springs on the wilsons keep you from doing it.

[mafbloggerdanny]

Yes, I understand that - thank you.

Now...I have a Sig 1911 that I use both Sig-supplied mags and Wilson mags. The mags behave the same no matter the situation.

I expected the same with the SA 1911. But as I said, the empty Wilson mags will not allow the slide (one open exposing the chamber) to move back a bit further so I can depress the slide stop and allow the slide to sligshot (fall back) into place. Initially not sure if this was a pistol issue or a Wilson mag issue....or not an issue at all.

yes it will, you're just not pressing hard enough on the slide lock lever. the slide does not need to move back in order to depress the slide lock lever.