STI gen1 mags 9mm without spacers?

[Chillywig]

I have a prodigy and was shopping around for new 140mm mags. Then remembered I have 3 old STI mags that came with my first 38 super open gun. I looked for spacers at shootersconn and they didn't have the SS ones so thought I will try shooting without them. All 3 mags worked fine in the Prodigy without spacers. These have STI factory followers and maybe even the original springs 

 

How thick are the spacers? And when 9mm fails in a mag without spacers what happens? 

 

 

[shred]

Mostly you get nose-dives and salt-shakers because the front rib is just in front of the case mouth and that causes issues.  Doesn't happen always, but enough to be a giant PITA unless you load long enough-- like .38 Super long.

 

If you can live with short mags, there's several places reselling the Checkmate mags which have a wide rib and not this problem-- Brownells, EAA, etc.

 

 

 

[jcc7x7]

Get the plastic spacers they work fine. Mine are 10 plus years old and still work great.

[beltfedgoodness]

I have some Gen 1’s with the spacer if you need the dimensions let me know and I can measure tonight when I get home 

[beltfedgoodness]

One note IMHO I like the SS spacers as they’re kinda hefty and drop outta the gun a smidge quicker…. (I’m still slow AF so doesn’t really help me haha)