Ask the Community

Yes — in most cases, compact 1911 magazines will work in a full-size 1911, but there are a few important caveats. ✅ What works A compact (Officer-size) 1911 magazine will typically lock into and function in a full-size (Government) 1911 The mag catch position is the same, so it seats and feeds ⚠️ Downsides Shorter capacity (usually 6–7 rounds vs 7–8+ in full-size mags) The mag will sit flush or slightly recessed, so: Harder to grab during reloads 👍 Bottom line ✔️ Works: Yes ✔️ Safe: Yes ❌ Optimal: Not really — better to use full-size mags when possible. rimfire 1911s can be a little different. 💯‼️

Hi David and welcome. Yes, a compact (Officer/Compact) 1911 magazine will technically fit and function in a full-sized (Government/Commander) 1911, as the width and feed lips are the same. However, the magazine will be shorter than the grip, leaving a gap, and it may not lock the slide back reliably after the last shot due to follower differences. Key Considerations: Fit: It will lock into place, but sit flush or recessed into the frame rather than extending past it. Reliability: While it generally fires, the shorter magazine spring may cause reduced reliability or issues with locking the slide back. Cheers, stay safe and enjoy!

Yes, a compact (Officer/sub-compact) 1911 magazine will technically fit and function in a full-sized (Government/Commander) 1911, as the magazine diameter and locking mechanism are the same. However, it will sit flush or sit very low in the magwell and not provide an extension. Key Considerations: Fit: It works fine. Function: It is functional, but the base will sit below the frame's bottom. Reliability: The gun will likely shoot, but smaller magazines may have different reliability characteristics than the correct sized magazine. Exception: Some specialized compact 1911s, such as the Springfield EMP or Kimber Micro, do not share the same specifications and their magazines may not work in a standard full-size 1911. In short, it works but it's not ideal for daily use.

A compact 1911 magazine will not work effectively in a full-size 1911. It is best to use the appropriate magazine type for each specific frame size to ensure proper fit and function. Using a compact magazine in a full-sized 1911 can lead to feeding issues, as the magazine may not properly align with the feed ramp, causing jams. Additionally, the magazine may not fit securely in the magazine well, which can affect reliability and performance.

Will a Glock 19 magazine work in a Glock 17? Same thing different firearm.