(9mm 1911) Metalform/Dawson 10rd or "Springfield" 9rd Mags..?

[ck1]

Been down the 9mm 1911 road a couple times before already and I'm fairly well versed/accustomed to the mag issues that go with it, but looks like I'm going to try it again as they're so fun to shoot... Planning on using it for ISPA ESP and sometimes SSTK (though I'll likely move to .45 for USPSA if I find myself getting more into it)...

Over the last year or so I've been running into quite a few shooters have great success with both the 10td Metalform "Ultra" mags (same Dawson except for the base pads as far as I can tell), and even more so with the 9rd "Springfield" mags. Looking for thoughts on what is working for guys in their 9mm 1911's..?

I've had lots of time with the 10rd Wilson ETM's and Tripp Cobra mags, but from what I've seen, I'm pretty much convinced that the Metalform mags with the bent-metal pseudo-feed ramp built-in is the more reliable way to go.

The main difference I'm curious about is that the "Ultra" mags stack the rounds more forward (spacer in the back of the mag tube) vs. the 9rd "Springfield" mags putting them against the tube's back..?

Thanks in advance.

[40S&W]

I use the Tripp Cobra 10 round 9mm mags in my SA Loaded 9mm and they run flawlessly. Also run the Metalform 9 round mags and they run flawlessly. I prefer the Tripp Cobra mags. If your having problems you might want to have a very good gunsmith check your feed ramp, angle could be incorrect.

Edited August 2, 2012 by 40S&W

[DWFAN]

Both Metalforms are about the best you can get for feeding reliability. Do you want 10 or 9 rounds is the main question.

I really like my Tripp mags, they are easier to tune in my opinion to lock the slide back than the Metalform 10rd. I have feed issues unless running a 147 lfp bullet though. Metalforms run them all. I wonder if the Tripp follower would go in the Metalform tube??

I think the Dawsons may have a different follower as well..??

[Jim Watson]

The main difference I'm curious about is that the "Ultra" mags stack the rounds more forward (spacer in the back of the mag tube) vs. the 9rd "Springfield" mags putting them against the tube's back..?

It is a puzzlement to me.

I bought some of the first MF 10s and was stunned to find they had a rear spacer like an old Colt 9mm instead of the Springfield-Leatham "Front Ramp" design that worked so well. The tenshooters did ok for a while but then got finicky. A friend and I worked with them a while and ended up throwing the rear spacer away and putting in the nice Metalform convex .38 Super followers. Actually .45 followers with clearance ground for the flutes in the smallbore magazine, Metalform wouldn't sell me any proper Super followers. They work fine now, just like the 9 shot Super magazine which is a nice dual purpose 9mm/.38 device.

I have another batch of Elite 10s and have not had to replace the followers... yet.

My Tripps are fine and a few ETMs are functional but tough to cram the last round in. The only problem with the ETM was the one whose plastic rear spacer rode up until the slide caught it and generated a monumental jam. That one now has a metal follower and I am keeping an eye on the others for signs of a shift in the spacers.

[ck1]

As it stands, think I'm going to just pick up 3-4 of the 9rd Metalform "Springfield" mags to shoot IDPA with and then get 1-2 each of the couple other 10rd mags (Dawson's and Metalform "Ultra" mags) and try to see what seems to work best.

I liked the way the Wilson ETM's and Tripp mags were built, but I experienced my fair share of nose-dives into the feed-ramp lock-ups with them, and had to tune both as well more than I hoped.

The other day I loaded up one of my buddies 9rd "Springfield" mags into his Trojan 9 with the Gold Dot JHP's out of my carry Glock and tore through the full mag of 'em just fine... they're pretty blunt, so running those was impressive...

[TonyT]

When I owned a SA Target in 9mm it preferred the Metalfor mags with the Springfield cut. My current Dan Wesosn PM-9 functions flawlessly with either 9mm or 38 Super Metalform magazines.

[polizei1]

Cool, please report back.

I'm running the Dawson mags. My understanding was that the Dawson's use Metalform tubes, but the followers, springs, and basepads are Dawson. Either way, mine have been 100% reliable, even in dirt and debris. I also know a lot of people praise Tripp mags.

[mpolans]

My Dawson mags function great in my STI Spartan, except my slide isn't locking back. Still haven't checked to see if that's a follower or slide stop thing though.

[polizei1]

Did you change the slide stop? Mine is factory and locks back.

[sperman]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

[40S&W]

As it stands, think I'm going to just pick up 3-4 of the 9rd Metalform "Springfield" mags to shoot IDPA with and then get 1-2 each of the couple other 10rd mags (Dawson's and Metalform "Ultra" mags) and try to see what seems to work best.

I liked the way the Wilson ETM's and Tripp mags were built, but I experienced my fair share of nose-dives into the feed-ramp lock-ups with them, and had to tune both as well more than I hoped.

The other day I loaded up one of my buddies 9rd "Springfield" mags into his Trojan 9 with the Gold Dot JHP's out of my carry Glock and tore through the full mag of 'em just fine... they're pretty blunt, so running those was impressive...

Try shooting FMJ or CMJ roundnose rather than JHPs'. You will find that they feed much better and more reliably.

[dawsonprecision]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

Just a friendly heads up, while Metalform does make the 9mm mag tubes and followers, they are to Dawson standards. We do final adjustments, polishing and assembly in our shop, this includes quality checks and live fire testing.

We have a 50 yard indoor out door test fire range, its air conditioned. Ok that was just braggin a little. The bottom line, all 9mm 1911 mags are not created equal. They work better because we work a little harder to make sure they do.

Thank all you that make it possible to do what I do, I love my job.

Dave Dawson

Edited August 11, 2012 by dawsonprecision

[Round_Gun_Shooter]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

Just a friendly heads up, while Metalform does make the 9mm mag tubes and followers, they are to Dawson standards. We do final adjustments, polishing and assembly in our shop, this includes quality checks and live fire testing.

We have a 50 yard indoor out door test fire range, its air conditioned. Ok that was just braggin a little. The bottom line, all 9mm 1911 mags are not created equal. They work better because we work a little harder to make sure they do.

Thank all you that make it possible to do what I do, I love my job.

Dave Dawson

Hoping your still around Dave, do you test with various types of ammo or just one? (I have not used your mags yet) reason I ask is I have had problems with JHP loads more than FMJ round nose, plated round nose, Donnie's Bayou round nose and lead round nose.

I look for a mag design that will feed whatever I put in it. My Metal Form Springfield 9 round mags are 100% but not so with the 10 round. I hesitate now to add that one round but for steel matches it makes a difference sometimes.

If yours are different, I am willing to try a few

Edited August 11, 2012 by Round_Gun_Shooter

[polizei1]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

Just a friendly heads up, while Metalform does make the 9mm mag tubes and followers, they are to Dawson standards. We do final adjustments, polishing and assembly in our shop, this includes quality checks and live fire testing.

We have a 50 yard indoor out door test fire range, its air conditioned. Ok that was just braggin a little. The bottom line, all 9mm 1911 mags are not created equal. They work better because we work a little harder to make sure they do.

Thank all you that make it possible to do what I do, I love my job.

Dave Dawson

Dave, that's awesome. I've been using the mags for a few months now shooting USPSA and Steel and I've never had an issue. My only complaint is that they are nearly impossible to unload when full, but considering how well the magazines are made and function, it's not even a minor concern in truth.

Keep up the great work! I love my Dawson products.

[dawsonprecision]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

Just a friendly heads up, while Metalform does make the 9mm mag tubes and followers, they are to Dawson standards. We do final adjustments, polishing and assembly in our shop, this includes quality checks and live fire testing.

We have a 50 yard indoor out door test fire range, its air conditioned. Ok that was just braggin a little. The bottom line, all 9mm 1911 mags are not created equal. They work better because we work a little harder to make sure they do.

Thank all you that make it possible to do what I do, I love my job.

Dave Dawson

We test with Hornady and Zero hollow points we load for the most part, but we also buy out our local Wallmart 3 or 4 times a year WW white box, UMC bulk pack, Rem bulk pack. We shoot alot.

I told you I love my job.

Dave

[dawsonprecision]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

Just a friendly heads up, while Metalform does make the 9mm mag tubes and followers, they are to Dawson standards. We do final adjustments, polishing and assembly in our shop, this includes quality checks and live fire testing.

We have a 50 yard indoor out door test fire range, its air conditioned. Ok that was just braggin a little. The bottom line, all 9mm 1911 mags are not created equal. They work better because we work a little harder to make sure they do.

Thank all you that make it possible to do what I do, I love my job.

Dave Dawson

Dave, that's awesome. I've been using the mags for a few months now shooting USPSA and Steel and I've never had an issue. My only complaint is that they are nearly impossible to unload when full, but considering how well the magazines are made and function, it's not even a minor concern in truth.

Keep up the great work! I love my Dawson products.

It's the nature of the beast, the front of the mag is higher and acts as a ramp not giving the loaded round distance to nose dive. Trick, if you bump the the mag base down on wood bench or something of the like while thumbing

round forward they unload easier. Hope that helps.

Thanks, Dave

[Round_Gun_Shooter]

The Dawson/Metalform mags work flawlessly with my 9mm. When I did my testing they fed 100% of the time. 2nd best was the Tripp, at about 95%, and the Wilson Combat wouldn't run reliably at all. YMMV.

Just a friendly heads up, while Metalform does make the 9mm mag tubes and followers, they are to Dawson standards. We do final adjustments, polishing and assembly in our shop, this includes quality checks and live fire testing.

We have a 50 yard indoor out door test fire range, its air conditioned. Ok that was just braggin a little. The bottom line, all 9mm 1911 mags are not created equal. They work better because we work a little harder to make sure they do.

Thank all you that make it possible to do what I do, I love my job.

Dave Dawson

We test with Hornady and Zero hollow points we load for the most part, but we also buy out our local Wallmart 3 or 4 times a year WW white box, UMC bulk pack, Rem bulk pack. We shoot alot.

I told you I love my job.

Dave

Thanks Dave, that helps a lot. I will order a couple right now and try them out.

Glad you love your job, I kinda like mine too and my boss is the greatest (most of the time)

[Bob DuBois]

Little off the point but I've had Springfield nine round mags. Now have Metalform ten round mags and Wilson 10 round mags. Prefer the Wilson over the Metalform. Had to remove two coils from the magazine spring but they have preformed great in my STI Trojan 9mm. Mine were some of the first Wilson and have been in use for several years and thousands of rounds down range.

[Pathfinder1]

Sorry to dig up this old post, but it's excellent information on 9mm 10round mags. I just bought a SA 9mm Loaded, and also purchased some Metalform Elite 10rnd magazines for it. What's the difference between the Elite 10rounders and the Ultra 10rounders? I'm wondering if I bought the best ones for this gun.

[Thehotrodpig]

I don't know the difference but I'm running the dawson metalform mags in my sti trojan 9mm and have never had a hiccup. Several thousand rounds with all kinds of loads and lengths. Even run dirty. They have been perfect so far.

[Pathfinder1]

I don't know the difference but I'm running the Dawson metalform mags in my sti trojan 9mm and have never had a hiccup. Several thousand rounds with all kinds of loads and lengths. Even run dirty. They have been perfect so far.

I've been all over the internet, and by the looks of them (mine) they look just like the Dawsons, but of course they haven't had the special attention to them. I'm starting to think it's just a name that may have been used by Metalform for Cabella's because that's where I bought them. Do yours have the spacer in the back to keep the cartridges forward?

[Jcj81]

I just got 6 Dawson 10rd 9mm mags this week have not had a chance to shoot with them yet but they seem nice and I really like the Dawson base pads. I had 10rd mags that I borrowed from a friend until I got mine, one thing I noticed is the Dawson mag do not touch the ejector the ones I borrowed would touch if you pushed up on a seated mag not sure what brand those were but I think the Dawson base pads are what make the difference in not touching.

[Pathfinder1]

Jcj81, have you had them apart yet? Just wondering if they have the long metal spacer in the inside back of the mag to keep the 9mm bullet forward.

[Jcj81]

Jcj81, have you had them apart yet? Just wondering if they have the long metal spacer in the inside back of the mag to keep the 9mm bullet forward.

No, I could take them apart tomorrow and post up some pictures.

[Pathfinder1]

Jcj81, have you had them apart yet? Just wondering if they have the long metal spacer in the inside back of the mag to keep the 9mm bullet forward.

No, I could take them apart tomorrow and post up some pictures.

That would be cool JCj81 if you have time. You may be able to look down the top of one of them (empty) and see the top of the spacer if they have any.

thanks