1911 Question

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

I have acquired a RIA M1911A1 CS Tactical in 9mm. Came with an 8 round magazine.
In looking for extra mags...I see compact and Officer's mags for sale.
So the stupid question is...what is the difference? Will "Officer's" 8 round mags fit a compact?

[PhillySoldier]

I may be wrong about this but I think the compacts are 7 round flush mags

11B

[bigdawgbeav]

so the 8-round would be an extended basepad most likely. probably looking for the officer mags...

[PhillySoldier]

I believe so but you may want to research and verify that

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/prod...fType=&from=fn

This is the mag that came with the pistol. Cheaper options out there for 1911 mags.........

[ExFlyinguy]

I'm not going to put any money on this, but I believe the Officer's model was just Colt's coining of the 3.5 inch compact version of a 1911. IOW they are one in the same.

The Colt Commander being the next step up with a 4.25" barrel is also the mid-size

[Berks_Iraq_Vet]

so the 8-round would be an extended basepad most likely. probably looking for the officer mags...

Forgot to mention pistol has an extended magwell....so the 8 round mag with the basepad that came with it is flush. Looking to find standard mags that fit flush with grip not extended magwell.

[PhillySoldier]

It looks like Mec-Gar has a 9 round 1911 mag available. I dont know about the colt 1911 but ive used mecgar mags with my sig p226 9 mm and get an extra 3 rounds in the same size mag - there great

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/prod...6-8FFB1832B813

[ExFlyinguy]

I just did a quick google search on 1911 forum, and found that according to someone there 1911 magazines come in 2 sizes-

1. The Gov't / Commander size are the same

2. The Officer size aka Compact

*Again I can't verify the accuracy of this.

[R L Suehr]

Forgot to mention pistol has an extended magwell....so the 8 round mag with the basepad that came with it is flush. Looking to find standard mags that fit flush with grip not extended magwell.

Judging by the dimensions it's an officer's/compact model. You want mags for those. Any mag that says officer or 1911 compact should fit. As others have said standard 1911 mags fit the gov't and commander size guns, since they share the same size frame.

Mecgar's seem to run fine for me as do chip McCormick and colt branded mags. My favorite are Wilson combat. When I carry a 1911 they're what I use.