Posted: 4/15/2008 2:26:17 PM EDT
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I know I'm posting actively in another thread, (I kind of side lined it into a rant, and IMHO, I hijacked it, my apologies.) What do you guys think of the Mag Well, if it's "polished and contoured" from the manufacturer, is that enough are you guys happy with that? Or is the Mag Well that much of a Tactical (yes, I know lame, but what else should I call it?) Advantage. I imagine if in a shoot out and reloading, you've either A) Shot all of the bullets in your firearm B) had a weapons malfunction, but one thing is for certain, you're in a shoot out, and you're reloading, you've got tunnel vision, your hands are shaking and you're trying to make it out alive. Honestly, even the most honed motor skills, you don't know what you're going to do. With double stacked magazines you don't have this issue, I mean, they usually "pyramid" or are in some semblance of a triangular shape at the top, and the mag (port, I suppose would be a good term.) whether it be a 1.5 stack or 2.0 stack is going to be wide enough to fit in there with peace of mind, but a single stack weapon, it might be a little bit more tricky. Also, to think about it not just from the fire fight point of view and saying your hands are shaking or that your adrenaline's going. What about the concealment point of view? You're carrying it all day (or hopefully as often as possible anyway.) does that Mag well, make it poke out that much more, or does that magazine with the bumper pad make it stick out that much more as to be noticed. I've noticed that all of the guys with the Bobtail's always enjoy the fact they don't have that definitive "edge" to poke out, it's more rounded out, so as not to attract so much attention, or catch on items. They also usually carry flush fitting magazines (or close enough to it.) So as in life, there are always Pros and Cons to everything. So, And it just hit me to make a Poll, What is your opinion and if you don't mind highlighting (I'd appreciate it, and I'm sure other amateurs or novices would as well) why did you choose the things that you have. (I just realized I have no idea how to make a Poll... So any help would be appreciated.) ETA: Not to mention, it's like (after being fitted and the cost of the part) approximately $120-150 to have attached to your weapon. |
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Well, I don't recall ever seeing a production 1911 that had an extended magwell blended with the frame. I don't remember what Kimber does, and SA doesn't even try, they just slap a magwell on an unbeveled frame. IMO, this doesn't add enough to the gun to justify the price of the magwell. Some of the semi-custom makers blend the extended magwells nicely, as do the custom makers; however, for the price you pay they should do this. I used to shoot IPSC on a regular basis, and I do believe a properly blended extended magwell on a 1911 gives the shooter an advantage on reloads over a 1911 without a magwell that has the standard factory bevel. I can't quantify how much of an advantage, but personally my reloads were slightly faster with the magwell than a factory frame. I say factory frame, because you can open up the frame quite a bit without the add on part, making reloads easier. It won't be as large of an opening as what the extended magwell will give you, but the factory bevel can be greatly improved. I much prefer this method for my carry guns, as for me I need all the help I can get keeping the grip concealed on a fullsize 1911. And yes, I do carry flush fitting mags in the gun when carrying. Is it worth the $150? If you're shooting competition and carrying the same pistol, plus you can deal with the added length, then sure I think its worth it. If it is strictly a CCW pistol, then I'd say skip it and have a decent 'smith work the frame. |
I planned on getting a TRP (Comes with it standard.), RRA Basic Carry, Les Baer TRS, or something comparable in price, I would have it added if I bought it new, from the factory, if not, I'd have it done at a Pro Smith. Just wondering what was people's opinion on it, and why. I mean doesn't it add like... let's say a quarter maybe a little bit more of an inch to it? |
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Some of my 1911s have them some don't. I like having the magwell, makes the gun more comfortable in my mitts. The gun I use for CDP and PC does not have a magwell. One of these days I'll pick up a S&A and start hogging out the frame to blend the S&A. Edit: Go to enough matches and you will see guys miss reloads on STI's with ICE magwells. The only pressure is a shot timer. |
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I was looking, You can get a S&A for like $80-ish, If I having one custom built, or at least Semi-Custom built, I imagine they'd charge maybe 30-40 to add it, maybe 50 or more? They're not bad, and they're not so gigantic. What I'd like to see is who Night Hawk Sources theirs from on the T3. www.nighthawkcustom.com/detail.aspx?ID=135 It's a bit different, any real difference? Remains to be seen, in fact, a sloping curve might be less noticeable comparative to a sharper cut corner. At least they're pushing the envelope. You know what I always thought was funny. They have a clock on the front of their website, for those of you not in the "know" (Like I am, Ha.  )I remember reading somewhere, probably on the Wilson website that Bill Wilson was a watch maker before he came a Weapons Manufacturer. I realized last time I was looking at the front of their website, that it seemed like a little stab or poke at Wilson with the Time Piece on the front page. Funny little things that Manufacturers do. That a person like you or me might never notice but between the two of them is a world of information. Did I ever mention I was ADHD? (Sorry.  )
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NH contours their own magwell for the T3. they also have a model, called the Enforcer, with an integral magwell on a Cast frame, developed by larry Vickers. The there's the NH Heinie Tactical Carry, that incorporates a full magwell within the standard length grip, by cutting the frame. |
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I have a S&A magwell on my S70 that I use for informal competition. I have to say that it is indeed faster than the factory setup. My Commander, destined for CCW use, will instead see a bevel/polish job - smoothing the reload without added bulk. Of particular note, the Heinie magwell does eliminate issues with added size/grip length: www.heinie.com/parts.php Costly though, at $150 alone, plus the additional work of a smith cutting and fitting the frame. Those that run them love them, though. |
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I appreciate the input guys. Thanks. I think I will go with the S&A. I mean, the Heinie is nice, extremely, but honestly, if I ever changed my mind, and wanted to convert it to a Bob Tail or whatever. (Because let's face it, if it's my first .45 ACP, and it's built specifically for me, I don't plan on selling it, in fact it's something I'd give to a son or daughter, if it was still worth a darn at my death...Hopefully that'll be sooner than later.  ) |
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One, I'm thinking two, they are single stack. I mean, the pistol is what I'd be worried about concealing, a Cell phone? That goes in your pocket, not on a holster on your hip. I was thinking about the 10-11 o'clock position, two spare magazines. ETA: I mean if you're going to carry a Handgun, be prepared at least, you know? ETA 2: and the Magazine holder is 50-60$... Maybe they don't have to be matching? What do you guys use, and do you carry Spare Magazines IWB or OWB? I always figured it'd be OWB, but then again, there are instances it'd be nice to tuck, but I don't think I'll be able to tuck in a shirt with a 5'' 1911. |
I did indeed. What do you think of Mag Wells? I think if I go with it, it'll be a S&A. |
