Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model Review

First Thoughts on the Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model

The 1911 platform is an icon, and the ability to run multiple calibers through the same pistol is always appealing. The Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model promises exactly that – increased capacity and caliber versatility in a reliable package. At a price point of $35.49, it seemed like a worthy investment to expand the capabilities of my 1911.

I was initially drawn to this magazine because I own both a Rock Island Armory 1911 chambered in 9mm and I’ve been eyeing their .22 TCM conversion kit. The idea of having a single magazine compatible with both calibers simplified logistics and seemed like a cost-effective way to enhance my shooting experience. My hope was to consolidate my magazine collection and streamline my range trips.

Upon receiving the magazine, my first impression was positive. The blued steel finish looked clean and durable, and the 17-round capacity promised extended shooting sessions. Compared to standard 8-round 1911 magazines, this one felt significantly more substantial, although the plastic base pad felt a little less premium than I’d hoped. I chose this over standard capacity magazines for the increased round count and the purported ability to function with both 9mm and .22 TCM, offering more flexibility.

Initially, I was cautiously optimistic. The build quality seemed solid, but the fit and function with both calibers would be the real test. Only live-fire testing would reveal if this magazine could live up to its claims.

Real-World Testing: Putting Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing took place at my local outdoor range. I brought both my Rock Island Armory 1911 in 9mm and a borrowed .22 TCM conversion kit for a separate 1911 frame. I started with the 9mm, loading the magazine to its full 17-round capacity.

In dry conditions, the 9mm ammunition fed relatively smoothly, although I experienced a few instances where the slide failed to lock back after the last round. However, trying to insert the magazine into the .22 TCM-converted pistol was a no-go, confirming one user’s feedback. The plastic base was indeed too thick. Even when I tried to force it into the magwell, it would not seat fully and the magazine latch would not engage.

This magazine functioned only as a 9mm magazine. This first experience raised concerns about the magazine’s true multi-caliber capability.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several range sessions focused solely on 9mm, the Rock Island Armory Magazine held up reasonably well. I estimate I’ve put about 500 rounds through it.

While the magazine body showed no signs of significant wear and tear, the slide lock issue persisted intermittently. Also, after extended shooting, feeding occasionally became less consistent, with occasional failures to feed requiring a tap-rack drill. Cleaning the magazine after each range trip helped mitigate these issues somewhat, but the reliability wasn’t as rock-solid as my other, dedicated 9mm magazines.

Compared to my experiences with standard 8-round 1911 magazines, this extended capacity magazine required more frequent cleaning and exhibited a slightly lower overall reliability in 9mm. The promise of multi-caliber use remained unfulfilled, making it a dedicated, but slightly finicky, 9mm magazine.

Breaking Down the Features of Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model

Specifications

• Caliber: Designed for both 9mm and .22 TCM. In practice, my tests indicate it only reliably functions with 9mm.

• Capacity: 17 Rounds. This is a significant increase over standard 1911 magazines, offering extended shooting sessions.

• Finish: Blue. The blued steel finish provides decent corrosion resistance and a classic look.

• Model Body Copy: 2011 Tactical. This indicates compatibility with 2011-style 1911 frames, known for their increased magazine capacity.

• Origin: OEM. Being an Original Equipment Manufacturer part ideally ensures proper fit and function, although my experience revealed a limitation with .22 TCM compatibility.

These specifications suggest a versatile, high-capacity magazine. However, the key specification of multi-caliber functionality proved problematic in my testing with .22 TCM.

Performance & Functionality

The Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model performs adequately with 9mm ammunition, but fell short of its multi-caliber claim. The 17-round capacity allowed for longer shooting sessions, reducing the need for frequent reloads. However, the intermittent slide lock failures and occasional feeding issues detracted from the overall experience.

Its strength is the high-capacity in 9mm. Its major weakness is the incompatibility with .22 TCM without modification and the slight reliability issues in 9mm. While the magazine met the basic expectation of feeding 9mm rounds, it didn’t exceed them, and failed to deliver on the dual-caliber promise.

Design & Ergonomics

The magazine’s build quality appears solid, with a durable blued steel body. Its increased weight compared to standard magazines is noticeable but not excessive. However, the plastic base pad feels somewhat cheap and contributes to the fitment issues with .22 TCM conversions.

There’s no significant learning curve associated with using this magazine. However, the fitment issues with certain frames and the need for more frequent cleaning compared to other magazines impact its usability.

Durability & Maintenance

The magazine body itself seems built to last, showing no signs of rust or significant wear after several range trips. The spring tension remains strong, although long-term durability is still to be determined.

Cleaning the magazine is straightforward, requiring only basic tools and solvents. However, the increased frequency of required cleaning compared to other magazines is a downside.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Rock Island Armory Magazine comes with a standard plastic base pad, which can be replaced with aftermarket options for improved grip or aesthetics. There aren’t any specific accessories designed solely for this magazine, but it’s compatible with standard 1911 magazine pouches.

Compatibility with aftermarket base pads is a potential avenue for customization, although I didn’t explore this option during my testing. The lack of other customization options is a minor drawback, but standard 1911 magazine accessories work well.

Pros and Cons of Rock Island Armory Magazine .22 TCM/9mm 17 Round w/Base Pad – 9mm Caliber, 17 Rounds, OEM Origin, 1911 Model