Springs for Checkmate Mags
 

I just started getting some 3 point jams and noticed that the springs are getting weak(er) on my Checkmate (Colt branded) mags. I have quite a few and have been rotating them periodically (every few months) so I don't believe they should be wearing out yet. They just haven't been used that much. Some of them have always been a little weak (too easy to insert first round) but it's now starting to impact function.

When you take the follower out, how far out should the spring be? On some of these only one coil was showing. On one mag, over 4 coils were showing and it was still pretty stiff empty.

I have stretched the springs for now to match the mag that was still good, and will only load 7 until I can remedy this.

What is the best spring for the 8 round Government Checkmate mag? How long will stretching the springs get me? I imagine it will hasten the demise of the springs.

Look at Wilson Combats website and buy the 7.95 kit, spring with follower..same one they use in the ETM's. All my wilsons are over 5 years old and function without a hiccup. Just bought that kit to replace one in a Shooting Star

This is a good option or you can also check out Wolff springs too, use them and have had really good results.

You can also go to Tripp Cobra(Tripp Research) for internals. These are my preference. No logic or anything bad to say about others, just been mostly with Tripp for years.

http://www.trippresearch.com/store/store_1911.html

I looked, but when I got here I didn't know what to do. :confused:

.042
MS-12C042
MS-13C042
MS-14C042
MS-15C042
MS-17C042

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MS-14C048
MS-17C048

I'm with Mike on this one. I recently suggested to Keith Lawton that they issue WC ETMs with new pistols rather than the Checkmates.
Jim

I agree with the folks above, but you might call Checkmate Industries. I just spoke with Roger who handles sale to LEO and ret'd military and he was extremely generous with the cost on 10 new mags and threw in base pads.

Had trouble finding springs, everyone was out. I finally snagged a 10 pack of Wolff springs on Brownells and the last ISMI spring Midway had in stock.

All arrived today. I've only installed one, a Wolff, but now the 8 round mag will only fit 7 rounds. I seem to remember reading something about this and that after they take a set you can get the 8th round in. It seems unlikely however since the 8th round is a LONG WAYS from being able to go in.

Looking at the spring, it's got the same number of coils as the original, but one of the coils has a bend.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=867

All 10 have the same bend so I guess it is part of the design, but I think that bend is what is keeping it from compressing far enough.

Anyone have the same experience? Any solutions?

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=866

same deal when I put the Wilson spring/follower kit in a Shooting Star. They ain't gonna take a set enough to get 8 rounds in. The polymer follower is taller than the original metal one

Original metal follower, only the spring changed

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=866

While that has never happened to me I can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that little bend would keep you from getting that final round in.
For sure my OCD would kick in and I would need to straighten that out.

Oh believe me, I am SORELY tempted! I'm going to give it time to "set" first though.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=866

OK, I now know what the problem is. I have what they call "patented bullnose followers" on the CM mags. Per the Checkmate website, the patented bullnose follower takes a different spring because standard springs won' fit between the bullnose and the tab at the rear, and the bullnose pushes down on the spring instead of slipping over it.

Checkmate is out of stock on springs for the patented follower, so I can't get their springs. ISMI has what they call a "Narrow Follower Magazine Spring" so I ordered a few of those to see if they will work with the CM patented follower.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=888

That's because the top coil on the new spring doesn't match the follower like the original CheckMate spring does.

You can order replacement springs, etc. from CheckMate, and one of the things they need to know is the follower type.

Your eight round Colt mag (unless it's more than a few years old) has their patented skirted collapsing (AKA Bullnose) follower. The patent number is on the top of the follower.

It's also found in the Kim Pro-Tac mags they make for Kimber.

And they are STILL out of stock:

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=921

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=888

Wow.

Have you contacted them to see when they'll have more?

That seems pretty odd to me; a mag manufacturer being out of any of their components.

I wonder if they let their inventory drop low at the year's end for inventory/tax purposes.

No, I've just been loading 7. The first time I checked was two months ago. They seem to be perpetually out of stock.

http://www.cotep.org/forum/picture.p...&pictureid=888