Has potential, but...
I have had been mostly pleased with the Brownell's .45 magazines (but still like Wilson ETMs better), so I decided to try one of these: On the 'plus' side, the rounds load into the mag easily, I can easily lock a fully loaded mag into my gun (Dan Wesson PM-9) with the slide closed, the mag drops free, and activates the slide lock when empty. I have not tested it with live rounds yet, but feeds dummy rounds perfect. But, on the very negative side is the problems I have with the "removable base". I found the one on mine to be very close to non-removable. With the center piece depressed, I could not even budge the plate off by hand. The only way I got it off was by using a vise, large punch, and a rubber mallet (and some blood from skinned knuckles and a fair amount of 'colorful language'). Once I had it off, I could see the ridges inside the base that are supposed to fit into the slots at the bottom of the magazine were not close to lining up. This is not something easily fixed by trimming due to the construction of the base. Since the ridges do not fit into the slots, I also wonder if the base will fly down off the bottom under the spring pressure of a loaded magazine . While I don't know if all the magazines have the poor fit of mine (none of the Brownell's .45 magazines I have are like this), the only way I could recommend this magazine is if you are one that never takes magazines apart for cleaning (I take mine apart before the first use to remove the excess wet oil often found inside).
Fails to feed
I ordered 2 of these mags and neither will feed the first load correctly when fully loaded. The load tips down and noses into the end to the mag instead of traveling up the ramp into the chamber, resulting in the bullet being pushed back into the cartridge. What good is a 10 round mag if you can only load 5 rounds in it to get it to function correctly?! I've tried different brands of ammo with the same results. I have other mags made by the same manufacturer that work flawlessly.
Not a good purchase
I recommend these magazines if you enjoy failure to feed issues. I bought the 3 pack and only had issue with one at first, after running about 100 rounds through them I noticed it was getting worse and worse across the trio. Then after having them loaded with 10 rounds and carried in the mag carrier on my duty belt, they wouldn't even chamber. The cartridge would nose down into the body of the magazine and catch in the front of the magazine. They were difficult to unload the magazines by hand. Sorry Brownell's I can't give them a good rating, I wish they were better.
.45 Mags👍 9mm mags 👎
I ordered a three pack of 9mm mags after having great results from the .45 Brownells mags. I was very disappointed in the 9mm variant. My otherwise reliable Springfield and Alfa Fixtrot became a single shot with these. Repeatedly needed the slide pushe forward after the bullet would stop and would not feed until the last two rounds in the magazine. Factory and Wilson mags were fine. I ordered another brand.
Doesn't work reliably if more than 7 rds
In my Springfield Ronin Operator, these mags have too much tension for a new round to feed if there are 8 or more rounds in the mag. The slide just gets stuck with the round pressed against the front of the mag lips. It's also virtually impossible to remove the rounds by hand if there are more than 7 rounds in the mag, which is inconvenient. The rounds simply won't budge unless you use a tool like the UpLULA and lots of finger strength, while pointing the tip of the round in the right direction (it wants to go down into the mag instead of up and out). The mags work fine with 7 or less rounds. The Mec-Gar anti-friction 10-round mags work fine, and cost about the same. Also I have a Wilson Combat 10-round mag that works fine.
Not very happy
they wouldn't work for me i got them for my colts but no luck not one of the three worked im little disappointed but it is what it is
No Love for a Ruger SR 1911
Failure to feed every 2 to 4 rounds regardless if 115, 124, or 147gr and whether fmj or hp.
WON'T DROP FREE
I BOUGHT TWO OF THESE MAGS FOR A KIMBER STAINLESS II. BOTH MAGS WOULD NOT DROP FREE WHEN THEY WERE EMPTY. THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE DRAGGING IN THE MAG WELL. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN SHAKE LOOSE, THEY HAD TO BE PULLED OUT. I DON'T KNOW WHY, DON'T CARE. I'M SENDING THEM BACK AND I'LL TRY A DIFFERENT BRAND. I USE THIS GUN FOR COMPETITIONS AND THEY HAVE TO FULLY FUNCTION. I HAVE HAD NO SUCH ISSUES WITH THE STOCK MAG.
