Question - MecGar P14 Magazines for Para/RIA Tac Ultra

[Auslander]

Recently picked up a RIA Tac Ultra High Capacity in .45 ACP for less than $700.  Considered a Witness or SAR, but parts for a 1911 are a lot easier to find and supposedly RIA has a lifetime warranty.

I am using Mecgar P14 mags and they seem to be doing fine.  RIA supplied one.  I was wondering if any one knows whether the Wolff +10% Para Ordinance Mag springs will work with the 14-round Mecgars.   I'll order one to try, I just don't like to waste shipping on small orders for T&E. 

Figured on of the knowledgeable people on this forum may have peeled this onion before.  Also curious if anyone has any experience/recommendations for any + # extended bases that meet USPSA rules.  The Mecgars sit below the magwell.  Locking a full-mag on a closed slide may cause issues during a competition.  I think Dawson makes some extended ones that I think will work with the tube but they don't add any capacity.     

I only have 70 rounds through it but am genuinely surprised at fit and finish.  Extractor is tuned well.  I am have a failure to lock-back issue, but I suspect there is debris or a bur in the plunger channel.  Worked initially.  May just need to work it some more.  RIA scribed the takedown lever so the detent/plunger locks into it rather well.  Better that than locking back when it isn't supposed to.  Ramped barrel and the sights are fully adjustable.  More testing this weekend.

The only negative I have is that RIA apparently submerged in a barrel of 90W gear oil before shipping....     

[Auslander]

Posting what I found if anyone is interested.

The Taylor Freelance, “Rock Island” 140mm +4 mag extension works on the Mechar P14 .45 ACP magazine tube.

You will need to trim the “legs” of the plastic plate at the bottom of mag. If you look up the product, you’ll see what I’m referring to.  I would not recommend installing spring in extension without some type of bottom plate. I don’t believe you will be able to disassemble magazine without something to help compress spring from bottom.

In reference to magazine springs/followers, I have tried three different combinations.

1.  MecGar follower with Wolff/TF Spring for Remington/Para 13-coil. In my opinion this is the best option. Allows for 16-rounds in magazine with hold-open. Need more testing but no malfunctions after 51 rounds. Weapon was topped off (16+1.  3 Mags). The 16th round does not bottom-out the spring.

2.  Arredondo Para Ordinance Follower (.38,.40,.45) POF 3845 and spring. Similar to the Grams Engineering spring and follower. Allows for 17 rounds in mag. I had 1 malfunction out of 54 rounds. (17+1 loading). Aside from malfunction, the 17th round is tight. So tight I believe will ultimately damage feed lips. The Arredondo spring is also 1 fewer coil than the factory one (10 vs 11) and is rather flimsy. Wanted to fold over when installing base.

3. Factory follower and spring. Allows for 16+1 with hold-open. Ran out of daylight so only ran 1 mag. No malfunctions.

For now I’ll keep running the Wolff and factory springs.

[Auslander]

3rd and final update.

None of the options listed above are reliable. Factory 14-round magazine still running strong on a 300-round fouled weapon. Modified mags, not so much. (500 total on weapon).

The factory spring and follower failed first. Wolff spring and follower failed second.

If you load 16 rounds in magazine, misfeeds consistently occur on the 3rd or 4th round.

If I had to guess, springs can’t push the round up fast enough at the upper mid of spring compression. Round nosedives into feed ramp rebounds and then binds at top of chamber.

Might be a reason Mecgar only makes 14 rounders.

Plan on blocking the base pads to serve as extensions only.


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