Flush fit magazines, CW45, The Sequel

[JohnR]

Sorry to start yet another thread on this, but I searched the miles-long original thread and couldn't find what I was looking for.

I finally got around to ordering two MecGar Officer 7-rnd mags and the Wilson conversion kits. With these two items, what exactly do they need to run in the CW45 and lock the slide back?

I know the mag catch window needs slight enlarging, and the other items in the thread were rounding the top of the magazine and replacing either or both the spring and follower. There were several mags discussed in that thread, so I'm not sure which apply to the MecGar 7-rnd.

[gb6491]

The possible latch window and magazine top modifications are not magazine brand specific, but rather done by test fitting individual magazines.
The catch window may or may not need enlarging. To check this, lock the slide back and try inserting the magazine; if it locks fully in place, then the catch window is good to go. The modification to the top of the magazine is done to ensure that the slide or extractor does not hit the magazine during operation. Again, this is determined by test fitting: lock the mag in place and slowly lower the slide while watching for contact.

I've not tried the Wilson follower, so I can't comment in regards to it locking the slide back reliably. Only Officer's/Compact size magazine tubes with Kahr followers and springs installed in them have done that (reliably lock the slide back) for me. That combo has also fed rounds with complete reliability for me.

Regards,
Greg

[scattershot]

Hi, first post, and new to Kahrs. I have a CW45, and have followed these threads with great interest. All my 1911 mags will lock into place with the slide locked back, but I can't close the slide with the empty mag in place. I called Kahr, and was told that the piece was designed that way. Is there a way around this?

Thanks

[gb6491]

Hi, first post, and new to Kahrs. I have a CW45, and have followed these threads with great interest. All my 1911 mags will lock into place with the slide locked back, but I can't close the slide with the empty mag in place. I called Kahr, and was told that the piece was designed that way. Is there a way around this?

Thanks

Welcome to the forums
When you say "I can't close the slide with the empty mag in place", do you mean you can't operate the slide release? If so, please remember that you are trying to push the lever down against tension from the magazine spring while there is also pressure being applied to the stop by the slide/recoil spring. Sometimes, pulling the slide back enough to relieve it's pressure on the stop will allow you to operate the stop; otherwise, you will have to drop the mag, then operate the stop.
If you mean that you can operate the stop but a 1911 physically prevents the slide from closing, then you will have to mod the magazine so as to provide enough clearance for the slide to close.
Regards,
Greg

[JohnR]

The possible latch window and magazine top modifications are not magazine brand specific, but rather done by test fitting individual magazines.
The catch window may or may not need enlarging. To check this, lock the slide back and try inserting the magazine; if it locks fully in place, then the catch window is good to go. The modification to the top of the magazine is done to ensure that the slide or extractor does not hit the magazine during operation. Again, this is determined by test fitting: lock the mag in place and slowly lower the slide while watching for contact.

I've not tried the Wilson follower, so I can't comment in regards to it locking the slide back reliably. Only Officer's/Compact size magazine tubes with Kahr followers and springs installed in them have done that (reliably lock the slide back) for me. That combo has also fed rounds with complete reliability for me.

Regards,
Greg

Sweet - both MecGars lock into place with the slide open, so the mag catch window is spot on. I only need to shave down the top of the feed lips, then.

I know someone recommended the Wilson kit, I just can't remember why and which parts to swap.

[scattershot]

Nope. On my pistol the factory mag will not allow the slide to close. I can't depress the slide stop, or "slingshot" the slide to get it to drop. I can't pull the slide back far enough to depress the lever, no matter how much pressure I put on it. A few of my 1911 mags will allow the slide release to be depressed, but it's pretty stiff.

[JohnR]

I got both mags shaved down at the top, and it took very little material removal to get the slide to move without contacting the magazine. I replaced one spring and follower with the Wilsons, the other still has the MecGar spring and metal follower, and just for the heck of it I'll see if it works. Probably tomorrow.

[dbracin]

Sweet - both MecGars lock into place with the slide open, so the mag catch window is spot on. I only need to shave down the top of the feed lips, then.

I know someone recommended the Wilson kit, I just can't remember why and which parts to swap.

You replace the 1911 mag follower and spring with the Wilson parts. The Wilson follower is designed to allow 1 more round to be loaded into the mag tube.

[JohnR]

Ok, but I can fit 7 into the stock mag. I'll report the results when I can.

[JohnR]

They both functioned fine, but the last rounds stovepiped instead of feeding into the chamber. Not every time, twice in 60 rounds. Kind of odd.

Edit: It was WWB and Remington UMC mega pack, all FMJ, and the pistol was pretty dirty inside when I cleaned it afterward.

[JohnR]

Grrrr!

Shot 100 rounds of Rem UMC FMJ with the two 7-round MecGar mags, and had:

- 4 failures to feed (the last round rotated upward or totally stovepiped). It could be the ammo I guess.

- the stock MecGar magazine blew its spring and follower out.

- the takedown pin worked part way out.

- I got a blister on my right thumb

Plus, My shooting accuracy was unusually bad.

[scattershot]

Well, thanks to the original thread and this one, I was inspired to try this myself. I got a couple of Metalform mags and went to work. Both fit the magazine latch just fine, and lock the slide back. I may need to remove a scosh more metal, since they both bind on the extractor on the last round, but they cycle dummy rounds like they were made for the pistol. Can't wait to get to the range to try them out.

Thanks to all who contributed.

[KahrArmed]

I have noticed that the Kahr follower is much taller than the followers than the followers that allow 7 rounds. Has anyone tried trimming the Kahr follower to allow a seventh round and lockback?

[SSL]

I've been wondering that myself. The Wilson kit works flawlessly for me feeding-wise (and holds 7 rounds)...BUT they proceeded to stop locking back after a few uses. Obviously the all-plastic follower can't hold up well enough. That metal insert is there for a reason! Anyone tries trimming back the Kahr follower, please let us know how well it works.

[KahrArmed]

I just put 100 rounds through my modified Kimber magazine with Kahr follower and spring. Flawless operation. My next project is to work on the Kahr follower and modify it to be a little bit shorter, And hopefully get another round out of the magazine. By the Way, Blazer brass seems to be the best full metal jacket for me and the Kahr P 45.