1911 .22 Conversion kit

[Geronimo45]

Anybody know the best .22 conversion kit? I don't want match-grade accuracy, just plinking. The Kimber kit any good?
Got a full-sized single-stack GI 45 - so it ought to fit most models.

 

[atblis]

Marvel

defintely get the Marvel kit. WHy wouldn't you want match accuracy?

 

[Geronimo45]

Because I don't want to pay for it.

 

[atblis]

I think

Ciener is you other choice. I believe the Kimber kit is just CIener repackaged. COuld be wrong though.

 

[whatbrick]

I've got the Ciener conversion kit. It is accurate, but can be a pain to clean if you like to get to every nook and cranny.

Advantage Arms makes .22 kits for 1911's and Glocks.

 

[Geronimo45]

Two for the Ciener... how about reliability? Does it take most 22LR - like the stingers?

 

[whatbrick]

I haven't fed any Stingers through it, but I don't see why it wouldn't work. I usually shoot Remington "Golden bullet" brand .22lr and the only issue it's had has been it will occasionally fail-to-feed after the first 150-200 rounds. I don't let that get to me all that much since I just use it for plinking. Usually a gentle push on the back of the slide will feed the round when it happens.

I have found that the Ciener kit doesn't cycle standard velocity as well as the high velocity stuff.

Oh, the one I have also doesn't lock back on the last round. This is the only conversion kit I have experience with so I don't know if other manufacturers are the same.

Mine is a few years old so those kinks may have been worked out.

 

[Rangegod]

DON"T BUY THE MARVEL!

You will end up liking it so much that you will want to build it into a dedicated 22 pistol. AND THEN, there goes all that money you saved shooting 22lr instead of 45 ACP. (LOL)

JAC

 

[Zonamo]

I don't want match-grade accuracy, just plinking.

For plinking, the Ciener. He's still running a special on the matte black for $169.

Ciener Special page

I believe the Kimber kit is just CIener repackaged.

The Kimber and Wilson kits do come with much better sights and finish for the additional cost. But if I was willing to pay that much, I would have purchased the Marvel Unit instead.



Kimber Compact with Ciener Kit Installed:

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Service Ace is nice for plinking and training and holstering

Service Ace is nice for plinking and training and holstering. The Service Ace is far from the best for paper punching where the Marvel is the current supreme. Outside, wandering around I'd say Service Ace everytime. Inside gallery pistol or anything in a shooting gallery booth Marvel everytime. Consider the Kimber (or possibly others) in .17 for a nice alternative.

 

[Whirlwind06]

Are Service Ace's still available new?
Or is this something one would have to find used and paid $$$ because it is a "collectors" item?

 

[ClarkEMyers]

Service Ace is NOT available new but

Service Ace is NOT available new (that's Colt for you but they might or might not bring it back someday) but used prices are pretty close to Marvel depending on condition and local market.
- there are many out there from different years with different sights mostly for an easy guide to period of manufacture - the Elliason same as Gold Cup is a nice touch on the Service Ace with Accro.
-the conversion isn't a gun and the slide can be reblued or painted more easily than a frame - I suppose that's why the flatsided slide is often the only high polish on a 1911. Like most .22's I haven't seen any barrels worn enough to worry about - (I do have a Winchester 1890 .22 short rifle with a bad barrel but that was corrosion not wear).

- the biggest expense is extra magazines especially magazines that really do lock back the slide - something the Ace offers with a steel slide and conventional slidestop - some original magazines - maybe especially loose Colt magazines offered without the conversion on EBay? - have followers modified for use with other brand conversions and so no longer offer even the possibility of locking the slide and of course like most magazines and most 1911's some combinations will fail to lock back - most any slidestop will fit and function with the Service Ace except slidelock sometimes but the factory one is marked with a numeral 2.

I haven't seen any Service Ace conversions at true collectable prices but I suspect it would be easier to buy one and use it for ten years and get a good price later than it would be for a base model Ciener. There are some rare Ace and some prewar oddballs but even the rarest say factory nickel new in box from 20-30 years ago is going for special interest but not for collectible prices. My impression is that people are buying them for shooters with hopes of little or no depreciation - more like pinned and recessed S&W than true collectables.

 

[zoom6zoom]

Anybody seen a source for the Colt mags? I have a Pachmayr conversion kit that uses them. (originally paid about $150 for the kit, have seen them on auction sites recently for over $500!)

 

[JoeHatley]

I've been happy with this Ciener top end that I've had for around 14 years.



However if I were buying a unit today, it would be the Target model from www.advantagearms.com Sights and barrel are fixed like the Marvel unit, but the slide locks open on the last round.

Joe

 

[Whirlwind06]

Ciener makes a officer's model also. I'm thinking selling my Ruger 22/45 and getting that instead.

 

[Geronimo45]

Ok - so Ciener wins the day, most likely.

New question: How do you say 'Ciener'?

 

[porkysan]

After looking at ceiner's website.....they also offer blemished slides for $149.

May be an inexpensive way to pick up a decent .22 conversion.

 

[CDignition]

Yeah, but John Ceiner is such a ****** to deal with... I suggest going with something else

 

[jes]

Advantage Arms

I've just gotten my Advantage Arms kit. Seems to need some breaking in, but is working fairly well now.

 

[Frandy]

Ciener is you other choice. I believe the Kimber kit is just CIener repackaged.

The current Kimber conversion kits are their own, not Ciener. I think the Kimber model that was made by Ciener was called the Platinum. Not sure of that name.