Brass vs Aluminium 2011 Magazine Base Pads: Which Suits Your Division?
Cross-platform pillar guide
For the master comparison covering 1911, 2011, CZ Shadow 2 and Tanfoglio in one place, see: Magazine Base Pads for IPSC & USPSA: 1911, 2011, CZ Shadow 2 & Tanfoglio Compared (2026) — every Boss Components base pad SKU compared, with full IPSC and USPSA division compliance.
Brass or aluminium 2011 magazine base pads — the material you choose changes how your STI, Staccato, or Bul Armory handles in competition. One adds weight low on the gun for faster reloads and reduced muzzle flip. The other keeps things light for division compliance and speed. This head-to-head comparison breaks down weight, division legality, reload performance, durability, and cost so you can pick the right base pad for your IPSC or USPSA division.
Why Base Pad Material Matters on a 2011
The magazine base pad sits at the very bottom of your 2011 grip — the lowest point of the entire pistol. Any weight added here has an outsized effect on how the gun balances, how magazines seat during reloads, and how the gun tracks between shots. On a double-stack 2011 running 9mm or .38 Super, even a 30-gram difference per magazine changes the feel dramatically.
Brass base pads add meaningful mass below the grip, shifting the centre of gravity lower. This translates to magazines that drop free more consistently and a pistol that settles faster between splits. Aluminium base pads keep total magazine weight down, which matters in divisions with strict weight limits or when running five or six magazines on a belt.
Both Boss Components brass and aluminium 2011 base pads are CNC-machined from solid billet, fit Staccato, STI, and Bul Armory double-stack magazines in 9mm and .38 Super, and install without permanent modification. The only question is which material suits your division and shooting style.
Head-to-Head Specs
| Feature | Brass | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Solid brass billet | 6061-T6 aluminium billet |
| Approximate Weight | ~85g | ~32g |
| Price | $39.99 AUD | $34.99 AUD |
| Best For | IPSC Standard, USPSA Limited/Open | USPSA Carry Optics, weight-conscious |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose brass if: You shoot IPSC Standard, USPSA Limited, or USPSA Open. You want the fastest possible magazine drops. You value recoil management and want every gram working in your favour. Shop the 2011 Brass Double Stack Base Pad.
Choose aluminium if: You shoot USPSA Carry Optics or any division where total weight is tight. You prefer a lighter belt setup across long courses of fire. Shop the 2011 Aluminium Double Stack Base Pad.
For the complete cross-platform breakdown including 1911 and CZ Shadow 2 base pads, see our Magazine Base Pads for IPSC & USPSA: 1911, 2011, CZ Shadow 2 & Tanfoglio Compared (2026) pillar guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do brass base pads make a noticeable difference in reload speed?
Yes. The additional 53g per magazine means the empty magazine clears the magwell faster under gravity alone. Most competitors report 0.1 to 0.2 seconds faster magazine drops per reload, which compounds across a stage with multiple reloads.
Will brass base pads fit Staccato factory magazines?
Yes. Both the brass and aluminium Boss Components 2011 base pads fit STI, Staccato, and Bul Armory double-stack magazines in 9mm and .38 Super.
Ready to Upgrade Your 2011 Magazines?
Australian-made CNC base pads. Trusted by IPSC and USPSA competitors worldwide.
Browse All 2011 Accessories
