Let’s Talk About Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style
The Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style is a vital component upgrade designed to breathe new life into your .45 ACP magazines. Wilson Combat is renowned for its high-quality firearm components, and this kit is no exception. It promises to enhance the reliability and feeding of your .45 ACP firearms.
I had been experiencing some frustrating feeding issues with my older .45 ACP magazines. Specifically, my rounds were not consistently feeding, causing me to look for a solution beyond just cleaning the magazines. I was searching for a simple, cost-effective upgrade that would improve their performance, and the Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit seemed like the perfect fit.
Upon opening the package, I was immediately impressed by the robust feel of the spring and the smooth finish of the follower. The materials felt durable, and the overall construction instilled confidence. It looked like a quality kit.
Compared to some generic replacement parts I’ve used in the past, the Wilson Combat kit felt far more substantial. I had considered other brands like Chip McCormick, but ultimately chose Wilson Combat due to their stellar reputation and the specific design of the follower. My initial excitement was definitely justified.
Real-World Testing: Putting Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style to the Test
First Use Experience
My initial testing took place at my local shooting range, where I put the magazines, now equipped with the Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style, through a rigorous series of drills. I ran a variety of .45 ACP ammunition through them. I tested it in both my 1911 and my Remington R1 Enhanced.
The Wilson Combat kit was tested under dry conditions. I wanted to see if the improved follower would reduce friction and lead to smoother, more reliable feeding. Right away, the difference was noticeable. The rounds fed much smoother into the chamber, and I experienced zero malfunctions during the first 100 rounds.
Installing the kit was straightforward. It did not require any specialized tools, but the spring is stiff. There were no hiccups or surprises, just smooth, consistent performance.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several months of use and hundreds of rounds fired, the Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style has consistently delivered. I use it regularly in my range sessions. I have complete confidence in the reliability of my magazines.
The kit shows no signs of wear and tear, despite being subjected to regular use and cleaning. The spring retains its strength, and the follower maintains its smooth surface. Cleaning is simple, and involves just a quick wipe down of the follower and spring during regular magazine maintenance.
Compared to my previous experiences with stock magazine components, the Wilson Combat kit is a significant upgrade. It has completely eliminated the feeding issues I was experiencing and has given me renewed confidence in the reliability of my .45 ACP magazines. It outperforms my expectations by a significant margin.
Breaking Down the Features of Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style
Specifications
The Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style is specifically designed for .45 ACP magazines used in various firearms including 1911 platforms and the Remington R1. The kit includes a high-quality magazine spring, a military-style follower, and a linkage pin. It comes in black.
The spring is designed for consistent pressure, ensuring reliable feeding, while the follower is engineered to optimize round stacking and presentation to the chamber. These specifications are crucial for consistent performance and minimize the chance of malfunctions. The linkage pin is a small, yet critical, component that ensures the follower functions properly within the magazine body.
Performance & Functionality
The Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style excels in its primary function: improving the reliability and feeding of .45 ACP magazines. The enhanced spring tension ensures that rounds are pushed up consistently, while the follower design promotes smoother feeding into the chamber. It delivers enhanced feeding consistency.
The kit’s strength lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. Its biggest weakness is that it cannot fix a bent or damaged magazine body, requiring a separate replacement. Overall, it significantly exceeded my expectations, especially considering its affordable price point.
Design & Ergonomics
The kit is designed with functionality in mind, using high-quality materials and a straightforward design that is easy to install and maintain. The follower is made from a durable polymer that is resistant to wear and tear. The spring is made from high quality spring steel for lasting performance.
The kit’s design is incredibly user-friendly. A novice can install the kit with minimal instruction. There’s no real learning curve involved.
Durability & Maintenance
With proper care, the Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style should last for thousands of rounds. The materials are resistant to corrosion and wear, ensuring long-term reliability.
Maintenance is straightforward. It involves cleaning the follower and spring with a brush and solvent during routine magazine maintenance. No specialized tools or skills are required for cleaning or replacement, making it easy for even novice gun owners to maintain their magazines.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style includes the necessary components for a magazine refresh: the spring, the follower, and the linkage pin. No additional accessories are directly applicable to this kit, as it’s a self-contained upgrade.
While no direct customization is possible, the kit is compatible with standard .45 ACP magazines from various manufacturers. This compatibility allows users to enhance a wide range of magazines with improved reliability and feeding performance. I have personally used them successfully in magazines from Wilson Combat, Mec-Gar, and even some older Colt magazines.
Pros and Cons of Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style
Pros
- Significantly improves feeding reliability: The enhanced spring tension and optimized follower design ensure smoother and more consistent round feeding, reducing malfunctions.
- Easy to install: The kit is easy to install with no specialized tools required.
- Durable construction: The high-quality materials used in the spring and follower ensure long-lasting performance and resistance to wear and tear.
- Cost-effective upgrade: At only $8.95, the Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style is an affordable way to improve the reliability of your .45 ACP magazines.
- Wide compatibility: The kit is compatible with a wide range of .45 ACP magazines from various manufacturers, making it a versatile upgrade option.
Cons
- May not fix severely damaged magazines: The kit can enhance performance, it cannot correct a magazine body that’s bent or heavily corroded.
- Spring can be stiff during installation: The strong spring tension can make the installation process slightly challenging, especially for those with limited hand strength.
Who Should Buy Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style?
This kit is perfect for anyone who owns .45 ACP firearms and wants to improve the reliability of their magazines. Specifically, competitive shooters who cannot afford failures, and those with older magazines needing a refresh will benefit the most.
Anyone with severely damaged or corroded magazines should skip this product. They need to replace their magazines outright. A must-have alongside this kit is a good quality magazine cleaning brush and solvent for regular maintenance.
Conclusion on Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style
The Wilson Combat Spring/Follower Kit, Military Style is an exceptional upgrade that delivers on its promise of improved magazine reliability. For a price of only $8.95, it provides a significant boost in performance and peace of mind.
The price is absolutely justified. It’s a small investment that yields significant improvements in functionality and reliability.
I would highly recommend this kit to anyone looking to enhance the performance of their .45 ACP magazines. It’s a worthwhile investment that will pay off in smoother, more reliable shooting experiences. Refresh your magazines, reduce malfunctions, and get back to enjoying your .45 ACP!