Wilson/Combat 47D problems

[peanutlover]

Hello all. I had several Failure To Return To Battery the other day at Evan's range. Always on the last round in the mag and it seemed to be the same mag (I was using 3.) Once it had happened a second time I laid that mag down and the other 2 mags didn't have the problem.

I've run literally thousands of rounds thru my Wilson/Combat 47Ds. Every once in a while I notice this problem. I always keep them loaded with 8 rounds.

Should I switch to another brand? I remember .45 ACP mentioned not liking these mags in a previous post. I'll run a search tomorrow and read what he had to say.

Thanks for listening.

[WKC]

Did the rim of the round make it up to the breach face or did it get stuck under the breach? When you say it always happens on last round of the magazine, my first question would be when was the last time you changed the spring?

[CCWInstructor]

That mag needs a new spring.

[1buba]

This mag wouldn't have been in the gun when it went flying across the garage would it? LOLOL

[sealbeach]

Originally Posted by 1buba

This mag wouldn't have been in the gun when it went flying across the garage would it? LOLOL

At least we know the firing pin safety works.

[45 ACP]

My problem with the Wilson mags was a failure to lock back on an empty magazine. The problem persisted until I changed the springs, but started happening again after less than 6 months. I changed to the Tripp Research Cobra Mags and never had an issue since.

Ironically, the problem with the Wilson's only showed up after I started using them with my Wilson CQB! Never had a problem with my TRP or Kimber, even to this day. I think Wilson has a more pronounced "step" or detent in the slide stop for the plunger spring, so it necessitates a bit more "oomph" on the part of the magazine follower to push it upwards.

As far as PL's issue, how far forward does the slide make it before it stops moving? It seems like you've narrowed it down to the specific magazine, but things to look for (based on what I've seen in the past) would be:

Spread/cracked feedlips

Scuffed/scratched/cracked follower

Bent/improperly installed spring - This could cause the follower to tilt upwards and "jam" against the slide. Be extra sure the spring is installed correctly if you took it apart.

I was going to suggest recoil spring or dirty gun, but if you've narrowed it down to one specific magazine.................

[OCRancher]

I changed to the Tripp Research Cobra Mags and never had an issue since.

Ohhhh, I am so glad you posted this. After our conversation a couple of weeks back at the bat cave, I could not find them on the web anywhere. I was typing in "Trigg". Thanks! Another thing to buy!

[WKC]

I posted a thread in the Gun Smithing section with a link to a good discussion of magazine problems.

[TaxMan]

Originally Posted by OCRancher

Ohhhh, I am so glad you posted this. After our conversation a couple of weeks back at the bat cave, I could not find them on the web anywhere. I was typing in "Trigg". Thanks! Another thing to buy!

Does "A Guy" sell Tripp mags?

[CCWInstructor]

Originally Posted by TaxMan

Does "A Guy" sell Tripp mags?

I checked with "The Guy" when 45 ACP was looking for them. The answer is no.

Furthermore, if you don't have a wilson gun, nobody else has needed them.

If you want top of the line wilson mags for a full size 45, look at these. I know he has them.

THE WILSON COMBAT® ELITE TACTICAL MAGAZINE

[WKC]

Another thing that 45ACP advocates is to replace the mag springs regularly. I think he recommends once a year. Please correct me if I am wrong.

FYI: 8 Round CMC Power Mag springs are $4.28 each at Brownells.
The Wilson spring and follower kit is $7.95 from Wilson.

The problem with me is remembering when I last replaced the springs.

[DVSmith]

Originally Posted by WKC

Another thing that 45ACP advocates is to replace the mag springs regularly. I think he recommends once a year. Please correct me if I am wrong.

FYI: 8 Round CMC Power Mag springs are $4.28 each at Brownells.
The Wilson spring and follower kit is $7.95 from Wilson.

The problem with me is remembering when I last replaced the springs.

Put a little sticker on the mag's windshield like your dealer does for oil changes.

[TaxMan]

Originally Posted by CCWInstructor

I checked with "The Guy" when 45 ACP was looking for them. The answer is no.

Furthermore, if you don't have a wilson gun, nobody else has needed them.

If you want top of the line wilson mags for a full size 45, look at these. I know he has them.

THE WILSON COMBAT® ELITE TACTICAL MAGAZINE

Is that the same type that I have already?

[45 ACP]

Originally Posted by WKC

Another thing that 45ACP advocates is to replace the mag springs regularly. I think he recommends once a year. Please correct me if I am wrong.

FYI: 8 Round CMC Power Mag springs are $4.28 each at Brownells.
The Wilson spring and follower kit is $7.95 from Wilson.

The problem with me is remembering when I last replaced the springs.

Yep, that's the interval I use. I don't download my magazines by 1 round or completely unload them nightly/weekly/monthly. My life depends on my equipment so I see new springs annually as cheap insurance.

I change all kinds of things on or around Jan 1st.

Magazine springs
Duty ammo (Jan 1 and July 1 for this)
SL-20X flashlight batteries
Boots
Uniforms
Smoke detector batteries in the house
Windshield wipers on the family vehicles

It's just easier to remember that way.