Item being reviewed: Techwell SP Magwell (on a STI Trojan)
Description of item: Aluminum full-wrap magwell, made by Techwear USA. Techwear makes several models of their magwell, and this is the SP model, which is a low-profile full-wrap magwell.
Description of review tests: Up until now I've been using a S&A MSH/magwell on my STI, and last summer TG loaned me a Techwell XT magwell (bigger and deeper than the SP) that came with a set of Alumagrips pre-cut for the magwell locking grooves. I tried them, but due to the depth of XT model, I realized that I would have to re-outfit all of my mags with longer basepads in order to seat the magazines -or get out the grinder and take off .2" or so from the bottom of the magwell. Plus I found the Alumagrips to be a little too slippery for my tastes.
Long story, short, I returned the XT back to TG, and continued the search for a better magwell than the S&A-style. I decided to go with the SP model magwell, which are significantly shallower -since they are designed to be used with normal basepads, but I was hung up the fact that I'm really fond of the Larry D. Horned Lizard grips that I've been using on the STI since Day 1. So it wasn't until an internet friend posted a DIY on how to make the cuts on non-Techwell grips to lock the magwell in place that I finally got off arse and ordered one.
Pros: Unlike a double stack, loading a 1911 still requires that you shove a skinny stick into a skinny hole. There's no two ways about it. But what any magwell does is try to make a bigger opening for you to hit. The Techwell does that, and as an improvement over the S&A magwells, it wraps all the way around the grip of the gun. I practice enough that I can usually stick the reload, but every now and then I blow one. Hopefully the SP will help eliminate some of the blown reloads.
Cons: The term "some fitting may be required" is definitely in order if you want to use your own grips, and use certain brands of magazines. I made the cuts in the grips using several different dremel cutting attachments, and while my hack job ain't pretty, it works. Probably took me an hour for the first side, then about 20 mins for the second once I figured out what I was doing.
Some of my mags fit fine once installed, but CMC Shooting Star (of which I have many) have a basepad that extends too far forward to seat the mag. So out came the round file and sanding drum on the dremel to take a little off the front end of the mag chute. I wouldn't have had to do this if I was using Tripp Cobramags, Wilson, or even the CMC Power Mags.
Best Uses: Speed. Pure speed. And maybe reduce the potential for screwing up a reload.
Duration Used: Several dry firing sessions between last night and today after work, and I can already tell a difference. If it is anything like the Dawson ICE magwell on my Glock, or STI magwell on my double stack STI, the full wrap SP magwell is going to make a big difference. I'll probably stay with S&A for my EDC, but I think I'm going to like this addition to my SSTK/CDP gun.
Where purchased: Techwear USA at: http://www.techwearusa.com/techwell_system.asp
Cost: Cost is approx $150 for the magwell plus grips pre-cut with the proprietary locking system. Or, if you already have grips you like, you can save $70 and just order the magwell by itself.
Rating: (1 through 5, 5 being best) Not having shot the gun in a match with this latest addition, I'll give it a "4", but will most likely be able to upgrade that to a "5". I have high hopes for this thing.
I'll post some more pics.
