I purchased the Rock Island 1911 GI Standard MS .45 and am very satisfied with it.
It only comes with the one mag so I ordered 2 Chip McCormick 8rd full size mags from Palmetto. For some reason they don’t fit right.
Anyone have any thoughts on where to go from here? According to the site they will not accept a return.
I wrote to Palmetto State Armory with my request weeks ago and they have not responded. After spending a lot of money with them, I’m a little t’d that they can even respond.
Post a pic of the mags in your 1911.
Those mags are supposed to slightly extend beyond the bottom of the mag well about 1/4 inch.
Since you didn’t describe how they don’t fit “just right” it’s hard to determine what the issue is.
Here are the two side by side. The CMC’s only really discernable difference is the longer “tongue” for lack of a better word where the bottom round rests on.
When inserted into the weapon, you really have to slam the mag into the gun to get it to seat. Once seated the action doesn’t stay open when the mag is empty and is cocked.
I haven’t tried firing it with a live round, because it’s just not right.
Not sure if anyone can recommend a tried and true mag match for this gun?
Chips work well and are my favorite mag, but that sounds like a mag catch issue with seating. Put some oil on the mag catch and work it a bunch so it will loosen up.
My son has the exact same 1911 that you have. He uses the Wilson Combat ……expensive mags….they are about 37-44 each. They work perfectly in his RIA 1911. Too expensive for me. I use cheap Korean mags in my Colt.
But that offending tongue that is keeping the mag from seating properly……you should simply take the mag apart and use a hand file to remove some of the offending girth until it fits into your pistol smoothly & easily. The magazine “fit” is oriented based on the magazine catch and if your having to slam the mag into the pistol for it to catch……that’s probably why it’s not locking the slide to the rear. This stuff is not rocket science….and little hand filing ( with care……you want it to look nice) will get that mag fitting correctly and you will be on your journey to becoming a 1911 enthusiast. Small sharp files….not those big ones my grampa used.
Whatever you choose to do……Let us all know how it turns out, & post some pictures. Everyone here learns through each other’s experience.
i use remington magazines for my 9mm 1911 rock island too
very very clean fit all around, easy seat, and cycles great even mixed a bunch of ammo in one mag fmj, hp, cphp, reload, steel, all in one mag and it had zero issues
BUUT i think i read that they are discontinued from manufacturer… so grab them while you can.
the rock island mags work excellent and ect… but if you are going to clean it up for a barbecue pistol you want these magazines and you can have hp no problems so you’re still safe
Wilson, Nighthawk, and CMC all work great in mine. You might want to change the base plate. A “tactical” extended one won’t fit flush but may fit better. I had that issue with mine but I have a magwell.
I’m a huge fan of Rock Island Armory’s 1911’s in 45ACP and 10mm.
I use Rock Islands as a Spring Board to my own projects often.
Mags, I’ve run GI Mags, Chip McCormick’s Wilson Combat ,MecGar and an abundance of their Come With brand Act Mag.
I like the Chippers and Wilson’s a lot but for descent function at a livible price MecGar does a fine job.
Act Mags actually do well until their springs give up the ghost prematurely…and they will.
I’ve had a few of big named 8 Round Mags not want to seat on a Closed Slide …For Range purposes I short loaded them by 1 until the Springs found their happy place and moved on.
I kept them loaded with 8 when not intended for any immediate use. Once broken in…8 +1 and happy.
Like I said Im a 1911 fan…some of these same issues are Not limited to just the RIA brand. 1911’s by design and nature are hand fitted weapons even after 111 Years and numerous makers. Unless you are paying thousands of dollars for extremely custom hand fitted pieces? , expect some break in issues , required tweaks and the continual quest for right nags and right ammo your pistol just loves to eat.
Good luck…be prepared to Experiment to find that ideal Mag.
The pic is a few of my RIA 1911’s. One is a 10mm in FDE… the Top left is a RIA Double Stack Frame Only and completely tricked out with a Colt Slide and Barrel and Top Tier internals.
