.22 conversion for 1911

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MJD

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My dad's absolute favorite pistol is his Remington 1911. He just enjoys the heck out of it and I'll give him credit, shoots it lights out.

For that reason, I've had the idea that a 22 conversion kit might be a good Christmas or birthday present. I have a few gazillion rounds of .22 to donate to him....we spent a lot of time shooting when I was a kid and I am happy to repay the favor.

As we are all aware, centerline ammo can get expensive, so this is just to give him an alternative to 45. Plus, .22 plinking is a good way to wile away an afternoon! This is for plinking and fun.

I've read up on Kimber, Marvel, etc....curious to hear any personal anecdotes!
 
Advantage arms makes a very good one IMO. Very reliable with recommended ammo, mags are inexpensive, slide locks back when empty.

Here is an intro video if interested.

 
My dad's absolute favorite pistol is his Remington 1911 ... idea that a 22 conversion kit might be a good Christmas or birthday present. I have a few gazillion rounds of .22 to donate to him
I too thought the same for my Sig 1911 but after reading reviews of various 22LR conversion kits for reliability and accuracy, I ended up buying GSG 1911 22LR for less than the cost of the conversion kit (Some conversion kits are not reliable, accuracy questionable and won't reliably work with all ammo)

German made GSG 1911 is sold as Sig 1911 22LR and has been reliable for me (keep it clean and lubed) with even cheap bulk ammo and plenty accurate (2" groups at 25 yards) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-chambered-in-22.870629/#post-11548167

Unlike other 22LR pistols, GSG 1911 has added weight to increase the "heft" of the pistol and same operations as 5" 1911 ... Good training aid for 1911 at 22LR cost of shooting and you can shoot both pistols at the same time that you can't do with a conversion kit.

For $269, hard to beat especially with threaded barrel for suppressor use - https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/213252

And up to 16 round magazine kits - https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/gsg-1911-22lr-s/132.htm

Factory metal magazines for around $25 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-chambered-in-22.870629/#post-11548294

Here's Hickok45's take on GSG 1911/Sig 1911 22LR

 
I would buy a Kimber. Make sure it’s the new style with the polymer mags and the large diameter recoil spring plug. The new version is superior to the early style which has a small diameter full length guide rod and comes with aluminum magazines. That early version was made for Kimber by Ceiner.

I’ve owned a number of .22/.45 conversions, Colt, Ceiner, Jarvis along with a couple of Colt Aces.
For me, the new style Kimbers have been the most accurate. I had both early and late styles and the later version is nicer.
The three Colt conversion units I owned were mostly reliable but accuracy was mediocre.
I has two Ceiner units which were OK but not as nice as the Kimbers. By the way, the Ceiner magazines will function in Kimber units.
I had some issues with the Jarvis unit, lost interest and sold it.
The pre-war Ace I had was a very good pistol. I regret selling it in a moment of weakness.
The 1980s vintage New Service model Ace I had was junk. It went back to Colt three times but they never were able to fix it properly.
I bought a Sig 1911 copy in .22LR that turned out to be total garbage. It shot three magazines of basketball sized groups before it stopped working. I didn’t bother trying to find the problem. I sent it to Sig for repair and sold it when it came back.

So that’s my experience with 1911 .22 conversions. My vote is to buy a Kimber unit. You can buy 16 rd magazine followers for the Kimber mags, which is another plus.
 
I too thought the same for my Sig 1911 but after reading reviews of various 22LR conversion kits for reliability and accuracy, I ended up buying GSG 1911 22LR for less than the cost of the conversion kit (Some conversion kits are not reliable, accuracy questionable and won't reliably work with all ammo)

German made GSG 1911 is sold as Sig 1911 22LR and has been reliable for me (keep it clean and lubed) with even cheap bulk ammo and plenty accurate (2" groups at 25 yards) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-chambered-in-22.870629/#post-11548167

Unlike other 22LR pistols, GSG 1911 has added weight to increase the "heft" of the pistol and same operations as 5" 1911 ... Good training aid for 1911 at 22LR cost of shooting and you can shoot both pistols at the same time that you can't do with a conversion kit.

For $269, hard to beat especially with threaded barrel for suppressor use - https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/213252

And up to 16 round magazine kits - https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/gsg-1911-22lr-s/132.htm

Factory metal magazines for around $25 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-chambered-in-22.870629/#post-11548294

Here's Hickok45's take on GSG 1911/Sig 1911 22LR



I went this route. The GSG guns are sold under multiple names. ATI, Sig, Colt, Walther etc.... They are not target pistols but they are accurate enough for plinking and they cost about $300 OTD. Mine has been very reliable with even the cheapest 22LR. With extra velocity it runs 100%. If you are looking for target accuracy get a Marvel https://www.shopfcwguns.com
 
I would buy a Kimber. Make sure it’s the new style with the polymer mags and the large diameter recoil spring plug. The new version is superior to the early style which has a small diameter full length guide rod and comes with aluminum magazines. That early version was made for Kimber by Ceiner.

I went Kimber....polymer mags, and etc. Runs like a son of a gun. Mostly Federal, some CCI. I think the instructions recommend copper flash bullets.

I would prefer the Marvel with the slide lock back, but did not go that route.
 
Tactical Solutions made a great .22 conversion, the 2211. I bought one some years back and have been very satisfied with it. They no longer make them but if you ever come across one used, it is worth a hard look.

2211-standard.jpg
 
Been a while but Marvel is what I would go with here. They used to be a little more, probably still are but, they were worth it to me. They just worked much better. They gave much better accuracy which for many made it that much more fun to shoot the 1911 on the cheap.
 
I've had a checkered history with a Kimber, but it works now. Put it on a Gold Cup frame; shot straight, but wouldn't run reliably. Sent it back to Kimber, and they blamed the Colt frame.
Finally figured out that the Kimber mags were dragging on the slide; filed the mag slots a little higher, and now the gun runs fine...better ammunition helps.
Moon
 
Lots of good suggestions here.
I've thought about getting him one of the GSG pistols as a potentially-less-fickle alternative.
I've also just thought about getting him a regular 22 pistol for kicks and giggles (he doesn't have one).....specifically a Ruger 22/45 due to the grip similarity, understanding not much else will be the same.
 
Back a decade or more ago I did some research and got the Marvel conversion unit.

There appears to be more available now. But the Marvel unit has worked very well and I don't tend to use HV ammo.
 
Lots of good suggestions here.
I've thought about getting him one of the GSG pistols as a potentially-less-fickle alternative.
I've also just thought about getting him a regular 22 pistol for kicks and giggles (he doesn't have one).....specifically a Ruger 22/45 due to the grip similarity, understanding not much else will be the same.
Now on that it's REAL hard to go wrong. Have a couple 22/45's. One from 25 years or so ago I bought when dating the Wife and needed another .22 to show her the joy of shooting. It's still fun. Also a MKIV which is a dream to clean. One or both of these comes with me weekly when I go to the range just for some cheap fun.
 
If he wants accuracy and top quality; Marvel. If he wants a nice collectible, a Colt conversion unit with the floating chamber would be an option. My Colt conversion is not very accurate but fun to shoot, yet a hassle to clean and getting the floating chamber unstuck.
1911-Ace.jpg
 
I have one of the Old steel slide Colt conversions too, it’s prettier than anything else I have played with and the pistol doesn’t change “feel” like they do with the aluminum slide conversions.

That said, I also have an advantage arms “Target” conversion, I bought used. It’s the version where the barrel is fixed (as in locked to the slide stop pin via a special wrench) and the lower portion of the “slide” is the part the only part that moves (like the TAC sol, marvel).

http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1911Target

This is a 10 shot group from it at 25 yards, using Aguila super extra.

FC1B3ABB-0EA0-4268-8097-046FB0FF7B7E.jpeg
 
I have used 22 conversions for 40 years; Colt, Kimber, GSG, and Nelson. By far, the Nelson is the best of the bunch. Accurate and reliable. Also the most expensive.
 
I bought a Ciener “Platinum Cup” conversion from Midway USA before they dropped Ciener. I like the aluminum 15 round magazines and the conversion works surprisingly well on my Gold Cup frame. The slide is aluminum so the gun feels a little different.

Later on I stumbled into a really good deal on a GSG-1911. It’s a lighter pistol and so feels a little better. I had to pony up $40 for an adaptor but it’s a good suppressor host.

I also have a Ruger 22/45 that I bought as a trainer. It probably gets more use than the conversion and the GSG combined.
 
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