8rd CMC Powermags Not Long Enough to Seat w S&A Well

[Eager]

Today was my first match attempt at Single Stack. I usually shoot a 1911 in L-10, or a CZ in Production.

Actually, I've never even practiced SS before today.

Anyway, I have 45 Springfield with an S&A mag guide, and a mixture of Wilson 47D and CMC 8 rd Powermags, all which I know work, I've used 'em in my 1911s, but not with the S&A mag guide on.

What I found out the hard way is that the CMC 8 rd Powermags aren't long enough to seat reliably, at least not using my standard technique. The CMC 8 rd Powermags do not protrude beyond the flush end of my S&A magwell. The Wilson 47Ds do, and they worked every time for me. The basepad on the 8 rd CMC Powermag is very thin.

How does one make the the CMC 8 rd Powermags reliable with the S&A magwell?

[Flexmoney]

I think I have two versions of CMC 8-round mags. They have different pads on the bases. Both work in my Caspian with the S&A magwell.

Options: http://www.cmctactical.com/basepads_19_ctg.html

[Eager]

Looks like CMC has two different base pads that slip on the Powermag:

The "concealment" pad. Which is what came on my mags:

and the "extended" pad:

The new, longer, “Extended” base will add to the overall length of the base pad. This model should suit the needs of combat specialists or competitors using extending magazine well funnels on the bottom of their 1911 pistols. IDPA and IPSC competitors have specifically requested this type of base.

The 8 rd CMC Powermags definitely do not even come flush with the end of my S&A magwell.

Guess I'll have to get the extended pads. Too bad that blows the savings I incurred by buying these mags on sale.

The "concealment" pads do make a nice short 8 rd mag, for... concealment.

Edited January 18, 2010 by Eager

[Duane Thomas]

Imagine that.

[Jim Watson]

I have an assortment of magazines, the Power Mags get used to LAMR. I have thicker base pads for the reload.

[Corey]

i must have longer pads on my CMC powermags. i just put an S&A magwell on my 1911 and the mags stick out below the magwell plenty enough for me to seat them securely.

[adweisbe]

I have the extended pads on mine and they are great. I swap out the pads into new mags as they wear out so I don't have to keep buying new ones. Another plus is that they fit the box in my gun.

[LPatterson]

Eager,

You have just learned one of the most valuable lessons of competitive shooting. Make sure your equipment works before taking it to a match. Next lesson after you clean your gun before that big match, take it out and shoot it because MR. MURPHY may have misassemblied it after you finished cleaning.

Edited February 1, 2010 by LPatterson

[Eager]

I ordered and received a few extended pads from CMC. Meanwhile I mentioned this to a buddy and he said that his 8rd PowerMags came with two pads. One for concelement and one longer. I didn't recall this, so I checked in my "junk" boxes. Sure enough there was another, longer pad in the bag that they came in. Oddly, those are a third size, in between the concelement pad and the really extended one shown in the pic above. The intermediate one seems to work the best. The long one may not fit the box, although I have no way to check.

Now that I've got it figured out, I ordered more 8rd PowerMags (midway's got them on sale). I really wasn't ready to start Single Stack, but this was our January "concealed carry" match, where things can be a bit.... "irregular". The real thing I've learned is that I really like the 8rd PowerMag with the very short pad for concealed carry. It's shorter than my Wilson's and only ever-so-slightly longer than a 7-rd GI type mag, which I often use since I don't use a magwell for my CCW rig.

Edited February 1, 2010 by Eager

[jrguar]

For what it is worth, I have used the std 8 round CMC mags for for my SA 1911 with an S&A magwell no issues ever...

[LPatterson]

Which CMC mag pad fits in the box depends a lot on which rear sight you have on your gun. Some SS shooters have mentioned sanding down the "nose" so it fits in the box. SS is not my primary Division but I like the longest pad on my CMC's that I can get.