Today's Lesson is Testing!

[Jack1951]

I shoot (try to shoot) USPSA Single Stack with a couple different 1911'a both of which include Dawson Precision mag wells.

In 2013, I purchased 8 Metalform 8 round mags with the rounded follower top and have used tem without incident since. Last summer I purchased 6 more Metalform mags to have on hand in case I needed to replace one of the primary mags purchased in 2013. The mags are unaltered except for extending the mag bases so that they protrude below the mag base but still fit in the "Box".

Last week, a follower in one of the 2013 mags started sticking and rather than fussing with the sticky mag I pulled out one of the backups, swapped out the mag base, dropped the backup mag into my range bag and headed off to a match yesterday ... without testing.

In the middle of the 2^nd stage of the match, I attempted a reload using the backup mag. After failing to get it to seat I discarded the mag and completed the stage. After the stage I inspected the mag and finding nothing obviously wrong, I assumed that the fumbled reload was due operator error (not an uncommon occurance). I intentionally took this mag to the line on the next stage and tried to seat it under the RO’s supervision ... mag wouldn’t seat no matter what ... discarded the mag, loaded the gun and shot the stage.

Last night I found the gremlin … the only part common to the mags purchased in 2013 and 2015 is the little plastic piece that locks the mag onto the body;

· mag bodies are shorter

· mag springs are shorter

· nose and tail of mag followers are shorter

· stop on mag base is shorter

Both mags function perfectly in a stock 1911 and with the correct base the 2015 mags will seat in my race guns ... the parts just aren't interchangeable.

Moral of the story ... never make a change to ANYTHING and go to a match without thoroughly testing!

[Hi-Power Jack]

Amen, praise the wee one in the range bag. :bow:

[warpspeed]

So true. I think we have all been there.

[LarryPScott]

I have bought groups of mags to find them different within the group

[sean91285]

that makes for a long day. i wish i allways had time to verify every change i make works before I go to a match