re: magazine well for single stack

Question
QUESTION: Dear Sir,
  I would like to ask your opinion and recommendation regarding installing magazine well for my commander size rock island with a wrap around grip. My question is it possible and advantageous if i will install it. Thanks.


ANSWER: There are several kinds of magazine wells that are easily taken on and taken off.

The advantages of a magazine well are that the modification does indeed make it easier to insert a magazine under time pressure with less fumbling. The downside is that it makes the gun less concealable.

The Wilson well simply slips over the screw bushings under the grips and  so is easy to put on and take off, allowing you to use the well for competition and take it off for carry.

Beware that magazines, even those with large floor plates, often times will be long enough to seat the magazine with a well on the gun. This is not insurmountable, but you may have to look around to magazines or base plates to make it work.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your prompt response. My firearms is already one year old and fires more than 2000 rnds as of this date and
it fires flawlessly with some failure to feed with some ammunition. Do I have to clean and remove my extractor every
now and then?  thanks,

Answer
It is easy enough to remove the extractor of a 1911, although it generally really isn't necessary. A stiff nylon brush on the breach face and under the extractor each time you clean it should be sufficient.

The 1911, as you know, has a transition from the feedramp (which is a part of the frame) and the throat of the barrel. This makes it a bit less feed reliable than a modern design with an integral feedramp, but the old gun is still quite serviceable. As you've discovered, most 1911s will find some brand or configuration of ammunition that they just don't like. If you know what it likes, stick to that and you should be fine.