Smith & Alexander Magwell issue

[cmace22]

So I bought a S&A magwell for my MC Operator and after installing it I noticed it didnt fit flush to the frame, not even close. It looks to be a good 5 thousandths off. Its kinda bugging me and would like to know if anyone else has run in to this issue. I hope its the magwell and not an issue with the frame of the Operator.

[spencerhut]

At first I thought yours did not look too bad, then I looked real close at my Ed Brown mag well on my Springfield Mil-Spec .38 Super. My Ed Brown is way closer to the frame than your Smith & Alexander is to your frame.

*Pics*






I was under the impression it's a better idea to have these welded on and then blended in. But hey, that is why we both got the "drop in" type. I would send it back and try another brand. If the next one you try has an issue, you may be forced to get one welded on.

[cmace22]

http://www.blindhogg.com/gunsmith/magwell.html

Good how to article but my magwell has an even gap from back to front. If I hammered the tabs down to match the frame I would still have a gap in the back. It seems that either the magwell pin hole location is too far up on the magwell or my frame was cut too short. I dont mind a gap but this is the first thing I noticed without even looking for it. If I wanted to blend the magwell to the frame there would still be a nasty gap between the two.

[cmace22]

At first I thought yours did not look too bad, then I looked real close at my Ed Brown mag well on my Springfield Mil-Spec .38 Super. My Ed Brown is way closer to the frame than your Smith & Alexander is to your frame.

I was under the impression it's a better idea to have these welded on and then blended in. But hey, that is why we both got the "drop in" type. I would send it back and try another brand. If the next one you try has an issue, you may be forced to get one welded on.

I could live with the gap you have no problem. Ill try and contact S&A after the holidays and see what they say. If I cant find one that works I may just have to get a weld on or go without. May even contact springfield if thats the case.

[chickenfried]

After I posted I noticed the last pic showed the gap was even front to back.

[kmca]

There's been a gap in all the Smith & Alexander mag wells I've installed. Nothing a padded vise and a hammer didn't fix. Be gentle...it bends easily.

[Miltiades]

Comments

I've had S&A magwells installed on two Colt Gold Cups in the last couple of years, and they both fit flush with the bottom of the guns' grips. Your alignment problem could result from either the magwell or the gun, or a combination of both. I'd ask a good gunsmith who has experience in installing magwells if this is a common problem, and whether it can be fixed by a few taps with a mallet.

[mtenenhaus]

i recall reading a post on louderthanwords.us mentioning that this was not an uncommon problem with aftermarket magwells. Rin21 (Roy of Grayguns) mentioned some sort of modification to the pin site.

[hybridatsun350]

The fact that this is a drop-in part leads me to believe that S&A was just compensating for firearm manufacturing tolerances when they designed the magwell. One pistol may have zero gap while another may have 5 thousandths gap. S&A may have wanted to make sure that it was in fact a drop-in part for as many pistols as possible.

[JTROKS]

The fact that this is a drop-in part leads me to believe that S&A was just compensating for firearm manufacturing tolerances when they designed the magwell. One pistol may have zero gap while another may have 5 thousands gap. S&A may have wanted to make sure that it was in fact a drop-in part for as many pistols as possible.

That is true, when a manufacturer sets tolerances within -/+ you may have received a magwell in the maximum (+) side of the tolerances and a maximum (-) side on your pistol frame length or hole location to create a gap that's annoying you. It really doesn't look bad. Just like hybridatsu350 said: "The fact that this is a drop-in part..." That's why semi custom out of the box pistol and full custom 1911s commends prices that most folks will see and frown about.