What's the true "skinny" on Magazines?

[Land_Owner]

Now that I own a few semi-autos in a couple of calibers I know it will be better to own more than two magazines for each.  Is there a way to tell whether an after market supplier's products will "work" any better than the manufacturer's? 

How do you know for .380 Auto (Walther PPK), 45 ACP (Thompson - Auto Ordinance 1911),  45 ACP (Colt Defender)?

I purchased some WWII mag pouches and mags for the 1911 that work real well and were very reasonably priced.  Was that just good luck?  Or is the 1911 just that robust?  I don't expect that "luck" with the Walther or the Defender.

Prices are all over the place too.  Cheapest v. Most Expensive...Middle of the Road.

It is confusing...kind of like grips and holsters, which are other topics for individual posts on another day.

[Mikey]

Land_Owner:  for Walther pistols I purchase Walther magazines, period.  I have owned a few Walthers and have found their magazines work best in their pistols.  I even have two P-38 magazines marked for the 7.65mm Luger that handle 9mms as well as the originals - but they should......  I own a P22 for which I purchased 3 additional walther made magazines and they do not give up so much as one hiccup. 

For the 1911s you have a much wider variety and it is almost a toss-up as to which aftermarket brand will give you the most, or least for your $.  I have used a bunch of aftermarkets and some have worked and I still own them but some did not and I dumped them.  I have found the best aftermarket magazine maker to be Chip McCormick - get his 8 round mags for the 1911 (he may make a different one for the Defender if it is shorter or takes one less round), I have never had one of his fail yet. 

[irold]

As Mikey said :" Walther for Walther" .  I once had a PPK/S .380 .....only liked Walther Mags.   I personally use Wilson Combat mags in my Springer (GI model ).  The P-345 runs on Ruger mags....I tend to believe ya get what ya pay for.  There's a reason why they're cheaper !  Also....I try to by American.  OMHO

Regards

[SharonAnne]

for the 1911 I have used Metalform since the mid 80s. They are well made, reliable and not expensive. They have functioned through 10s of thousands of rounds with no failures.

[skarke]

I sure like the Wilson Combat mags for the 1911.  I use the 10 round mags for plates.

[44 Man]

Most manufacturers do not make their own magazines.  I believe most are made by Metalform.  WW11 mags will work with most 1911's as long as you are shooting hard ball.  The feed lips are wrong for SWC's and many of the newer HP's.  I have Wilson mags (some over 20 years old, continually loaded, and work wonderfully!) for my 1911's and my Defender also.  Never a problem.  44 Man

[S.B.]

In any semi automatic, magazines are about 75-90% of the cause of any problems! So, buy quality. It's worth every penny you spend. My early years in 3 different disaplines of handgun compititions taught me this. Stay away from cheap magazines!
Steve

[BullyDawg19]

i cant tell you how many guns ive seen that come from the factory with MecGar mags.

[Ole Man Dan]

For 1911s & clones...
Buy 'WILSON' mags.  They are just about always a sure bet.
They cost a little more, but it's your hind end they are going to protect...