About Chip McCormick – CMC Products
CMC Products, also known as Chip McCormick Custom, has been a trusted name in the firearms industry since 1986.
Founded by legendary competitive shooter and entrepreneur Michael “Chip” McCormick, the company earned widespread recognition for creating the world-famous Shooting Star 1911 pistol magazines, a groundbreaking advancement that set a new standard for magazine reliability and performance.
From the beginning, Chip McCormick Custom was driven by a clear mission: to deliver high-quality, American-made firearm accessories backed by cutting-edge innovation and exceptional customer service.
This commitment continues to define CMC Products to this day.
Headquartered in the United States and proudly manufacturing every magazine on dedicated in-house tooling, CMC Products stands apart in a crowded market.
While many 1911 magazines are built using the same generic tooling and rebranded under different names, CMC magazines – such as the Power Mag Series and Match Grade Series – are uniquely engineered for durability, precision, and unmatched reliability.
Each magazine is manufactured to die-controlled tolerances that are up to 75% tighter than traditional military specs, ensuring consistent performance for shooters of all skill levels.
The company’s legacy is deeply rooted in the spirit of competition and camaraderie.
Chip’s journey began in the competitive shooting scene of the early 1980s, where his passion for the sport was matched only by his desire to innovate.
From modest beginnings – crashing at Motel 6 and surviving on fast food – Chip rose to become a respected figure in both shooting and business.
His integrity, drive, and Texas-rooted humility shaped not only his success, but the core values that CMC Products continues to uphold.
Today, CMC Products remains dedicated to providing shooters with top-tier 1911 magazines and accessories, continuing Chip’s mission to deliver American-made quality and innovation backed by honest service and deep respect for the shooting community.
Chip McCormick Custom Magazines
Chip McCormick magazines have long been a trusted choice for serious shooters, law enforcement, and military professionals who demand unwavering performance.
Built with superior materials, advanced engineering, and decades of innovation, these magazines are designed to deliver unmatched reliability and durability in any environment.
Power Mag Series
The Power Mag Series represents the pinnacle of 1911 magazine design. Combat-tested and proven by U.S. military special operations forces, federal agencies, and elite SWAT teams, Power Mags are engineered to thrive under extreme conditions.
Each Power Mag includes advanced design enhancements that improve feeding, function, and compatibility with a wide range of ammunition types.
Made from premium stainless steel and equipped with high-performance “Rocket Wire” springs, Power Mags deliver increased reliability and a longer service life – ideal for both tactical applications and competitive shooting.
The base pads are sleek and ergonomic, providing a better fit than bulkier alternatives.
Plus, they are removable for easy cleaning and available in several retrofit sizes, allowing users to tailor the magazine for duty, concealed carry, or match use.
Match Grade Series
Built on the same dedicated tooling and with the same stainless steel construction as the Power Mags, the Match Grade Series offers elite-level performance in a flush-fitting package.
These magazines incorporate all the key design upgrades that Chip McCormick Custom is known for, including enhanced durability, consistent feeding, and long-term function across various ammunition types.
Match Grade magazines also feature Rocket Wire springs, providing a reliability edge over standard flush-fit options.
Their stainless steel base plates are laser-welded and pre-drilled for optional screw-on base pads, which are especially useful for shooters running extended mag wells on their 1911s.
Shooting Star Classic Series
A true staple in the 1911 community, the Shooting Star Classic Series embodies the legacy of Chip McCormick Custom.
These magazines are built to original military specifications (Mil-Spec), yet they offer extra capacity and better performance than traditional 7-round mags.
Made from stainless or blued carbon steel, each Shooting Star Classic mag is laser-welded for a seamless finish and long-term durability.
Over more than three decades of use, these magazines have earned a reputation for reliability – especially when it comes to feed lip integrity, a common failure point in other Mil-Spec mags.
Like the Match Grade line, they are pre-drilled for optional screw-on base pads for enhanced reload control in competition settings.
PowerMag Plus vs PowerMag
Both the Power Mag and Power Mag Plus from Chip McCormick Custom are built using the same high-quality components that have made the Power Mag series a trusted standard for 1911 enthusiasts.
Each magazine features premium 410 stainless steel tubes, Rocket Wire springs, and precision engineering that ensures reliable feeding, durability, and function under heavy use.
The key distinction between the two lies in the follower design, which directly affects how the magazine interacts with the pistol’s slide stop after the last round is fired.
Power Mag: Maximum Slide Stop Engagement
The original Power Mag features a spring-style follower that delivers the most positive engagement of the slide stop available in any 1911 magazine.
This design ensures the slide reliably locks open on an empty magazine.
However, because the follower is free to move upward and forward, it may occasionally make contact with the pistol’s frame if the slide is released while the empty magazine remains inserted – especially in aluminum alloy-framed 1911s.
For steel-framed 1911s, this is not an issue. And when using proper handling, removing the magazine before releasing the slide – it’s a non-concern for any frame type.
Power Mag Plus: Frame-Safe Design for Alloy Pistols
To address potential frame contact in alloy-framed pistols, Chip McCormick Custom introduced the Power Mag Plus.
The Power Mag Plus uses a redesigned follower that stays completely within the magazine tube, even after the last round is fired.
This design ensures that the follower cannot come into contact with the pistol’s frame, making it the ideal choice for users with aluminum alloy-framed 1911-style pistols or for those who prefer added peace of mind.
The Power Mag Plus still delivers reliable slide lock functionality but with a follower design optimized for safe operation across all frame types.
