818-DVC Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I'm conflicted. Going to build a 9 single stack, and want to get the best magwell in terms of funneling and grip enhancement. I love that the Dawson comes with a checkered MsH, and that it fits over the grips. I like the techwell because you can get the grips to work with it. The Dawson looks a little more comfortable and like it pushes the hand higher into the gun. The techwell looks more flush but the flats don't look like much for comfort or higher grip. What do you people like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattYvip Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I've used both the dawson and the techwell. I personally like the techwell a little better in that its easier to seat the magazines. I use wilson ETMs and the dawson is a little too deep to get them to seat consistently. Than being said if you're using longer base pads then there's nothing wrong with the dawson at all. I think you'll be happy either way. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 techwell tgo.... you can't go wrong... i tried the dawson ice, the the techwell xt.. and seatle for the techwell tgo... to me the tgo is perfect just enough extra surface to help with the reload, but not enough to get in the way of seating magazines. this mag well is the best IMHO.. cheers, Los. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul-the new guy Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I have tried both. I like the Techwell better. I use an Ed Brown chain link main spring housing to match the front strap checkering, VZ grips and the Techwell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 I have both, and both do a great job of saving a botched reload. Both do a great job of givin your weak hand something to index on at the bottom of the grip. Both of them give you that all important High Speed Low Drag look that drives the chicks wild. The primary difference I see is that the Dawson is a little lighter, and lets you use whatever grips you want. My guns make weight, and I prefer the alumagrips, so that's not an issue for me. On the other hand, the Dawson inserts get brittle after a while, and can be a hassle to get on and off. You need to buy a couple of extras for your bag. As for basepads, the Techwell give you a couple of options. The Techwell SP works with any standard basepad and still gives 90% of the benefits of the full size Techwell or Dawson. The TGO makes more room for big hands. The Carry model works if your game gun rides on your hip the rest of the week. At any rate - you won't regret either choice. Assuming you have multiple 1911s (who could just have one?), get one of each and see what works for you! BB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
818-DVC Posted November 13, 2012 Author Share Posted November 13, 2012 Do have to cut the grips to work with the techwell? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbbean Posted November 13, 2012 Share Posted November 13, 2012 Do have to cut the grips to work with the techwell? Not if you use their alumagrips or G10 grips. They're already slotted. But lots of folks have re-worked other grips to work. Just takes a steady hand and willingness to take a router to your favorite grips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I also have both and prefer the Techwell. The mags are just eaiser to seat with theTechwell. I use Wilson mags also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve L Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I like the TGO its easier to strip stuck mags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
818-DVC Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 Thanks everyone. Looks like the techwell TGO is the unimous decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike21STI Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I like the Dawson, but if I were to do it again I would get the SVI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I have the SVI and see to like it but you deff need bigger mag bases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I have tried both. I like the Techwell better. I use an Ed Brown chain link main spring housing to match the front strap checkering, VZ grips and the Techwell. Which Techwell is that one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul-the new guy Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 That is the XT. I have had the SP also and I prefer the SP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCKev Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I've tried them all. the best thing to do before you spend your money is to go to a match and ask to look at someone's gun. I had the XT my friend has an SVI. In the end I like the Dawson. The size of your hands makes difference also, it's the way it pushes your hand up into the beavertail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dskinsler83 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 That is the XT. I have had the SP also and I prefer the SP. What made you like the SP better?? The XT looks larger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlosa Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Thanks everyone. Looks like the techwell TGO is the unimous decision. You won't regret it.. Once I put the tgo on, I stopped thinking about reloads all togather.. Iv had zero issues seating mags.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm300 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I like the size and the slippery plastic on the edge of the Dawson. If you don't fit the grips correctly on the Dawson it will be a mm or so too low and it is hard to seat mags. You just have to make sure the frame of the gun fits down in the slot in the magwell. On the NoGap, my choice, you need to make sure the nose of your mag is not hitting the plastic. I have had to take a mm or so off the insert with some bases. It might take 3 or 4 minutes to do. Once they fit (most stuff for a 1911 needs some fitting) they are fast. When you miss a little the mag slides well on the plastic insert and there are no gaps to catch on. If you hit the slot perfectly every time there is no need for one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul-the new guy Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 (edited) That is the XT. I have had the SP also and I prefer the SP. What made you like the SP better?? The XT looks larger The XT is larger and my Tripp mags are pretty much flush with it so I had to use a little extra care to make sure the mags were seated. I didn't like the look of the XT as well. Here is the same gun with an SP on it: Here is the XT with a Tripop mag in place. You can see how it fits pretty flush: Edited November 14, 2012 by Paul-the new guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
polizei1 Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I haven't had the chance to use a TW, but I love my no-gap Dawson. I haven't missed a reload yet, have no issues seating or stripping magazines, or any other issues. It's awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astephenson Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 I like the no gap Dawson, also. I have one on my 9 and 45 1911's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuzinvinny Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 I experienced feeding problems when I installed the Dawson on my STI Trojan. Switched to the Techwell SP and no feeding issues. While the techwell works well, I must admit that I do like the plastic insert on the Dawson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oak hill Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 It might take a while to get used to a bigger magwell. I tried them all, but prefer the TGO since you can strip a mag from the front in the event one should hang up plus my hands hang over the bottom of the grip a little and the TGO still allow me plenty of positive contact with the grips. Also, I am a fan of the Techwell G10 grips Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaxshooter Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I use the XT on my gun. The Wilson extended base pads are a little longer than the Tripps. They stick out past the magwell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmgreen Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 I have the techwell on my 40 STI Trojan. Cory Estill told me this was the best way to go and of course, it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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