You can get Element valve keys for $10 USD.

So, in an effort to try and bump up the turnaround for a workable prototype, I visited the fabricators last night.

Good, and bad news.

They have been struggling with a way to cost-effectively machine a new mag housing the dimensions and specs I've been pushing them for. We are going to look into casting, but that may not be cost-effective either unless I'm going to order a thousand units or so (I don't have thousands of dollars lying around, unfortunately).

But after over 3 hours of brainstorming, mock-ups, illustrations, and me pushing to retain as many original magazine parts as possible - I think we have a solution we can all enjoy at the price that I want.

I've asked them to have a prototype ready as soon as possible - I'm not sure how many of you know, but I'm also working on many other parts as well, and they are taking immediate priority.

The final product will comply with the following specifications:

• It will look like the real steel extended magazine as much as possible while inserted into the pistol's magwell. I can't fabricate new feed lips to look like the loading ramp of the real steel mags - if you don't know why, I'm not going to be the one to explain it. Also, because this magazine extends out past the pistol's lower-frame, I am focusing on making the lower dimensions as close as possible to the r/s counterpart.
  
• Its finish will match that of Tokyo Marui's MEU magazine, and if possible, also be available in the dark Tokyo Marui's 1911A1 magazine finish. Wilson Combat offers two finishes for their product as well.
  
• The BB capacity will remain unchanged, and the OEM follower & spring will be compatible.
  
• The gas capacity will be increased approximately 18-22% (I need to measure the new reservoir for an exact number). I have the option of increasing this in future products, at the expense of changing the dimensions (overall length) of the magazine - which will no longer make it a replica of the r/s counterpart.
  
• A new base-plate is necessary to make it look like the r/s counterpart - which also means the magazine's lower-assembly & base-plate will not be compatible with aftermarket base-plates (like the one ILLusion posted above).
  
• A valve-key for the fill-valve may be included in the "upgrade kit", or sold separately (more likely to be sold separately - I've been toying with the idea of making a valve-key that is essentially a bit for a bit-swappable screwdriver - feel free to comment on that if you like).
  
• A new, extended mag screw (2.5mm ALLEN hex/head) will be included as well.

Alright - so now I've divulged as much as I can about the product. At this point, the next time you will hear from me on this will be when I have a functioning & practical prototype of the end-product.

If any of you have any further questions or suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.

I had missed that last post... well, considering the conclusion of your post is that the project is still going strong and that it is feasible, I consider this to be good news :)

Question: will it have Wilson Combat trades?

No, it will not.

The real mag does not, either - as far as every angle I've seen anyways.

I'd definitely be interested in these, if they're still being made by the time I'm AV'd. Looks like WA made this type of mag too, but either its discontinued or out of stock everywhere:
http://www.redwolfairsoft.com/redwol...l?prodID=21398

definitely interested in this mag. Hopefully you can release it soon =)

i'm interested as well. :P

Yep, checking that the mag itself doesn't, only the baseplate has some.

The extended-capacity magazines do not have trades on the plastic base-plate unless you swap the standard-capacity plate on the extended magazine.

Well Im interested too..tired of the "outofgas blues"

I'm excited and can't wait for this to come out.
What's the current R&D status?

I can't believe I just found this now. Interested.

interested as well

If this goes on, I'd be interested in one or two.

I'll have some of this.