It all depends on the model of the pistol...some 1911s love it. Both my Colt Defender and S&W E series love round followers.

 

Wilson Combat 7 round mags are awesome. The Metalforms are alright too.

They're the only ones I'm aware of with a round follower.

 

The Mec-Gar 9mm SS 9-round mag I just got has a rounded, split follower with a dimple at the rear.

 

Brownell's mags have them (though I think they are probably made by Metalform) http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...1911-auto-magazines-prod55103.aspx?avs|Make_3=1911&avs|Manufacturer_1=BROWNELLS

Pachmayr offer's them as an aftermarket part http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...ts/magazine-followers/1911-auto-magazine-follower-prod9770.aspx?avs|Make_3=1911

I think the theory is the follower holds the round higher, though I think the feed lips probably affect that as much as the follower.

 

Brownell's mags have them (though I think they are probably made by Metalform) http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...1911-auto-magazines-prod55103.aspx?avs|Make_3=1911&avs|Manufacturer_1=BROWNELLS

Pachmayr offer's them as an aftermarket part http://www.brownells.com/magazines/...ts/magazine-followers/1911-auto-magazine-follower-prod9770.aspx?avs|Make_3=1911

I think the theory is the follower holds the round higher, though I think the feed lips probably affect that as much as the follower.

Impossible. The feed lips limit the height of the round.

 

It makes the last round think that there is another round under it instead of a flat follower which holds it against the lips differently and can push it to one side if the follower tilts or is not parallel to the feed lips. It helps the last round feed like the previous rounds did. Flat followers were developed to help try to cram one more round in the magazine.

 

That answers my question. Thanks.

 

The height of the round is fixed by the feed lips but if the round is held at an angle the nose of the bullet will strike the ramp differently. Most magazines will present the first round at a different angle than the subsequent rounds.

 

All the rounds feed at a different angle. Different follower designs influence this to varying degrees.

 

At least with the Wilson 47s, the 7 round spring follower kits use the rounded follower and the 8 round mags use the other. I figured the difference was to allow the extra round in the 8 round mag.

 

Seated in the mag the rounds all sit at the same angle on the lips, at least I've never had mags they didn't. What does change is the angle of the round below and the upward pressure on the top round. When the slide starts stripping the round the angle of the lower round and the spring pressure on it is what causes it to vary it's path. You can easily see this after shooting a mag on a clean ramp, there's more than one spot of copper so they all aren't hitting the same spot.

 

This is correct. The top round feeds at an angle closer to the angle of the round under it and ignores the angle of the magazine's feed lips.

 

What is the purpose of a rounded follower?

Endless debate on internet gun forums.

 

Well, it's a break from caliber and internal/external extractor discussions. :biglaugh:

 

I've seen concave and convex type nylon followers on Wilson Combat mags so I will sit here patiently and wait to hear the best explanation.

 

don't know about Wilson, all my Wilson mags (45 and 9mm) have concave
But Colt's OEM mags differ contingent on caliber
My 45 cal mags have flat, my 10mm mags have round

no clue why

all these different mag followers, feed lip design, etc just confirms something I learned some years ago....mags are the weak link of the 1911 system.
Were that not true, there wouldn't be so many outfits trying to build a "better mousetrap"


..L.T.A.