Hooper Gun Works got a call recently from a customer who was having difficulty installing standard 1911 45 ACP Mags into the Rock Island Armory 1911. Â There are a couple of things that can cause this, over-tightened grip screws being the most common. Â Another cause lies within how the mag release button (or mag catch if you prefer) is cut from the factory. Â Sometimes the fit may be so tight that the magazine cannot push aside the inner part of the catch to engage with the slot in the magazine body. Â There is also a little bit of variance from magazine to magazine and between manufacturers that can make this inconsistent. Â Here is a test to know if you are having this type of problem
- Ensure that the chamber is clear and that the magazine is unloaded.
- Insert your magazine into the frame until the until the point where the mag will insert no further.
- Push in the mag release button as if you were dropping a mag.
- At this point the magazine should be able to be inserted fully while holding the mag release button.
- Release the mag release button.
- The magazine should be fully seated and not able to be removed without pressing the mag release.
- Press the mag release button. Â Since this issue has been confirmed, it will be difficult to press the button, but the mag will still drop.
How to fix:  There is too much metal on the part of the mag release button that engages the mag body.  A gunsmith can carefully remove the right amount of metal and create the desired shape to engage with your magazines.  It does not take very much removal.  It is also a good opportunity to change out to a machined tool steel mag release button, if you don’t already have one.  The gunsmith charge will be about the same minimum $50 either way, and you can provide the new part.