The gen two model, which is welded on, gives you the best of all worlds IMHO, large opening for feeding the gun and doesnt add much size to the gun either so its still concealable.

 

The Gen2 is an impressive piece of machining and design -- full funnel opening at no extra length.

Check me here: I thought Gen1s are welded, but not Gen2s?

 

I generally run the S&A on action pistol guns where a magwell is appropriate, and I don't want the full gamer treatment of a Dawson unit (usually IPSC model rather than the ICE) or techwell. I appreciate the extra backstrap grip length of the S&A. That said, the Chen SI is more elegantly styled, inside and out. It gives you a more contoured inner profile to hit. I own a few SI magwells, but they're currently not mounted to any guns. The EGW two piece (and Dan Wesson) is fairly undercut and the Nighthawk has a heavy rounded butt, so you use some grip surface there. Any of the above would generally benefit from a good gunsmith blend job if they're dedicated to the gun for life.

My carry gun has a Chen MaxBevel MSH, which I've really grown to like for a carry gun where I don't want the extra length. It's still a gunsmith fit (and refinish required) option, but if you're already sending the gun off to a smith, it's not as $$ as the Chen Gen1/Gen2 and you retain stock grip fitment.

 

The Chen Shooter installed magwell - looks great and so far has married up to every pistol I have put one on
Cant say enough good things about it . I am a NH Falcon magwell guy but for a pistol that it is added to after the fact for me Chen SI is my favorite

 

The Chen Shooter installed magwell - looks great and so far has married up to every pistol I have put one on
Cant say enough good things about it . I am a NH Falcon magwell guy but for a pistol that it is added to after the fact for me Chen SI is my favorite

^^^^^this^^^^^

 

Gen 1 is a weld on, gunsmith fit.
Gen 2 is slip fit, held in place by the relocated MSH pin, also gunsmith fit.

Shooter installed magwell is an MSH replacement that does add length to the gun. People prefer Stans part because of superior fit an finish, a huge opening, beautiful checkering, and a nice round butt. For this type of magwell, it’s easily a crowd favorite.

 

I installed the Chen Shooter Installed one piece magwell on a recent production Colt GCT. No fitting was required, and the fit and finish was better than the stock two-piece magwell. The price seemed very reasonable too, for such a quality part.

 

They fit Colts and SA's very well...his parts are perfect.

 

Dan wesson too I have the Chen SI on my Silverback, PM9 and Valor commander all excellent fitment

 

I put SI maxwells on my rail guns and the fit is great! I have an extra stainless and a black one sitting in the safe. I bought them when they first came out and they were discounted.

 

 

I got bored a while back and played around with my Gen2 with different magazines and base plates.

Chen Gen 2 Magwell and different magazines

Organized the gun benches tonight and had some magazines out. Figured Id snap some pictures for anyone curious. Magazines that came with my Professional Wilson ETMs McCormick 10 Rounder Ed Brown 8-Pack Wilson Lo-Profile

www.1911addicts.com

lots of people love the Shooter Installed Magwell. Dan Wesson may offer them from the factory? At least I see alot of them on DW pistols on GB...

Cant go wrong with any of Stan's parts

 

I have a Heine on my current custom Colt and it's great, but my full custom from Karl Beining will have the Gen 1 Chen. I like the SI magwells as well and own a few blued and stainless.

 

If you like thinner grips the Nighthawk 1 pcs is amazing and has the thinnest profile of any magwell.

 

@azguy1911 good to know about the NH slim magwell. I have a few pairs of slim grips

 

out for the photo op. Thinking about putting the SS on my NH Classic

 

For Compact

 

So far I have a great fit for one of my DW’s and a Colt.

They are just such a clean easy fit. I plan to get more of them.

 

Just had a Gen 2 installed on a custom. They are just superior to most all other Magwells. No added length with a very large funnel. Chen nailed it

 

I have a Chen Gen II magwell on my Ed Brown 9mm that I use in IDPA ESP. I use McCormick 10 round mags with the Dawson base pads. Since the Chen does shorten the grip a little there is no issue with the base pads. They do stick out a little more because of the shorter grip of the chen, but I like it for positive seating especially in competition.

 

Stan makes beautiful parts. Only negative to the G2 is the use of an Officers mainspring. I am not a huge fan of that.

 

I have them on my Compacts. The rounded bottom just fits my hand better and allows for a more natural point of aim for me. They are quality parts. Nighthawk and Wilson also make rounded bottom magwells, and I have a Wilson black aluminum that i used for awhile, but you pay more for them, for the same basic shape and quality. Still for an all steel gun on which you want to cut some weight, they're a good choice too.

 

We're I can find one of them, and check every site and I have not lucky!!

 

The Gen 2 is a completely different animal than the SI or even the Gen 1. It adds no additional length or width to the gun.

 

I've seen the SA described as 90% of the functionality for 20% of the cost.

But I have the Chen on several pistols and it is the best magwell you can buy for a work or duty gun. It is easier to strip mags than with the SA, the geometry is slightly smoother in feeding, and it just looks awesome. Of course it costs a bunch and you have to reprofile your grips.

 

chencustom.com

They're out of some of their models but are overdue to restock so it shouldn't be long

 

The fit and finish on the SI magwell is exceptional. S&A's were never a drop-in part. The Chen SI will pretty much be drop-in with a beautiful fit in most modern Colt and Springfield frames.

 

I have wanted to try out one of Stan’s magwells forever. They look super clean on a nice build

 

I have the SI, super clean and fits like it came from factory on gun.