jschweg Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 Can anyone comment on the durability of the aluminum version of either the S&A or the Wilson Combat SpeedChute 1911 mag wells? I'd like to switch back to this style as I seem to prefer it over my current Dawson ICE. I previously had the steel S&A, and loved it, but I need to go aluminum to make weight. S&A claims that the aluminum version isn't good for high volume shooters, so just wanted to get some input. Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwray Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 The aluminum ones do scar easier but they still last a long time. Some gun parts wear out and have to be replaced over time. Which is really every part on the gun. I’ve yet to wear out a magwell at all so I say go for it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheers623 Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 I can’t speak for those two brands, but I had an SV Aluminum magwell that I used and reload practiced on for years and thousands of reps and never came close to wearing it out. It was ugly and gnarly but nothing that would hinder a reload. YMMV Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbullet Posted January 4, 2020 Share Posted January 4, 2020 I cant comment on their product but my STI edge has the STI aluminum magwell and I have been shooting weekly with for over 12 years or so and now my son is shooting it and there are some scars (as it is black) but remains functional. No issues, just cosmetic. Perhaps what they meant that its not suited for high volume shooting is because it would eventually develop some scars which is cosmetic. May look ugly in the long run but that just means that you have been practicing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschweg Posted January 4, 2020 Author Share Posted January 4, 2020 Thanks guys. I don't care about the way it looks, I was more concerned about having to replace them more than I wanted to due to the funnels getting significantly banged up where it would affect something.Thanks.Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DubsC Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 I think it will be a non issue as far as function goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nc1911 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 What didn’t you like about the Dawson Ice? I’m trying to decide between Techwell and the Dawson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echotango Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Had the Ice and had issues seating mags. Went to the Ice IPSC and problem solved. Prefer it over the S&A. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARac40 Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 Worst case scenario, if it gets “ugly enough” cosmetically, you can sand it down and polish it back up... being that it’s aluminum it shouldn’t take more than a little bit of elbow grease to make it look new. personally, I like the beat up look... makes me feel like I’m putting in the work to get better! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dranoel Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 If you put a lot of practice into your mag changes, you don't miss by much and the mag funnel lasts longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terrydoc Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 Aren't the majority of the racy ones Aluminium? Dawson, Techwell, STI just off the top of my head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigzeke Posted December 23, 2020 Share Posted December 23, 2020 About once a year I take a file and little buffing and knock down the high spots left at the end of the gouges. Doesn’t seem to hurt the running at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted December 24, 2020 Share Posted December 24, 2020 On 1/4/2020 at 8:48 AM, cheers623 said: I can’t speak for those two brands, but I had an SV Aluminum magwell that I used and reload practiced on for years and thousands of reps and never came close to wearing it out. It was ugly and gnarly but nothing that would hinder a reload. YMMV Yeppers! 1911 Al magwell and tungsten guide rod. Makes weight. 10s of thousands of rounds and still works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shred Posted December 26, 2020 Share Posted December 26, 2020 Don't practice reloads with empty mags (use dummies for practice) and aluminum magwells will last long enough that the cost will be negligible compared to all your other shooting costs in the mean time. Practicing reloads with empty mags is much harder on the magwell and the mags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertg5322 Posted December 30, 2020 Share Posted December 30, 2020 On 12/22/2020 at 6:38 AM, echotango said: Had the Ice and had issues seating mags. Went to the Ice IPSC and problem solved. Prefer it over the S&A. Same here. Saves you the cost of purchasing $13.00 base pad for each magazine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakerjd Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 I ran an aluminum magwell on a Rock Island Pro doublestack for 2.5 seasons and while it showed a little wear it was still just fine. My latest gun has the delrin insert. I dont find either better or worse. My preference is actually the limcat with the steel bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_shoots_fast Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 I started out shooting single stack and gave a few thousand rounds on my aluminum mag well. It’s held up great over the years. It shows that it’s been in battle but it stil is great. matbe 2 years of USPSA and 3 years of steel challenge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjb45 Posted January 1, 2021 Share Posted January 1, 2021 On 1/4/2020 at 8:48 AM, cheers623 said: I can’t speak for those two brands, but I had an SV Aluminum magwell that I used and reload practiced on for years and thousands of reps and never came close to wearing it out. It was ugly and gnarly but nothing that would hinder a reload. YMMV Yeppers, me too. SV rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dranoel Posted January 2, 2021 Share Posted January 2, 2021 On 12/26/2020 at 11:39 AM, shred said: Don't practice reloads with empty mags (use dummies for practice) and aluminum magwells will last long enough that the cost will be negligible compared to all your other shooting costs in the mean time. Practicing reloads with empty mags is much harder on the magwell and the mags. Better yet, don't practice with a pistol that has a funnel. Get to where you can hit the stock opening consistently and what funnel you use will be of little consequence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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