1911 22 conversion kit

[Karate]

I am thinking of getting a 22lr conversion kit for my Commander length 1911...it is a S&W 1911SC...what is the best most reliable kit and will there be any issues with the scandium frame...

a Second choice would be a 22lr pistol that operates like my 1911

Thanks

 

[TennVOL]

Marvel Unit 2

 

[Gunner4h1r3]

as far as a .22 that is similar to a 1911, i would go for a ruger 22/45. operating controls are located in same areas as a 1911.

 

[Conqueror]

I don't like .22 conversion kits. The good ones cost twice what a decent dedicated .22 pistol costs ($400+), and they are often much much more finicky.

Ruger 22/45 is a great pistol with 1911-style controls and can be had for $250. Unless you're training for IPSC or shooting bullseye matches, I'd go with the dedicated .22.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I've got three 22 conversions, so I'm not against them, but like the above posters say, get a Ruger 22/45. I have two of them.

You will have two pistols instead of one for almost the same money.

 

[robctwo]

I was at the range yesterday shooting my SA Black Stainless loaded with the Ciener Platinum kit. Mine is a 5". They make a Commander size. I like the adjustable sights. It doesn't hold open on the last shot. They have 15 round mags for around $35 each. I got 5, I don't remember how many came with the kit, probably one.

I put 525 Federal high speed rounds through it. No problems. Hitting inside a 6" circle at 25 yards without any trouble. That's as good as my older eyes can see anymore.

I had changed out the innards on the SA with all Ed Brown parts, but wasn't shooting it much since I bought a Brown and a Baer. Now it gets a full workout every range trip. I've never shot the 22/45 so have no opinion on the trigger. Mine has a very nice 3.5lb 1911 trigger. Total cost for the 1911, upgrades and Ciener kit is probably a bit more than the Ruger. Total cost to me to get constant use from a gun which was just sitting in the safe is reasonable.

My daughter used it for a couple speed steel matches this summer. I'll probably give it a try for speed steel as well. That was the reason for the 5 mags. That and I like 5 mags.



I just love it when a girl turns out right.

 

[Conqueror]

Total cost for the 1911, upgrades and Ciener kit is probably a bit more than the Ruger.

I'll say... a black stainless loaded runs, what, $750 or so? With replacement parts and the Ciener I bet you have $1100+ into that gun. Compared to a $250 ruger, that's a buttload.

As to the stock ruger trigger, it's mediocre for a single-action. But a complete Volquartsen replacement pack is about $110 and drops it into the 2.5lb range and very crisp. A superbly accurate PacLite receiver/barrel assembly is another $220ish. All told you could have an excellent .22 for under $600.

Not trying to bash your decision, I'm sure your 1911/22 is great - just not a great value.

 

[Walkalong]

Looks like he is getting plenty of value here.

SS Loaded $750
Replacement Parts $100
Ciener $300

Range time with your daughter - Priceless.

 

[Technosavant]

as far as a .22 that is similar to a 1911, i would go for a ruger 22/45. operating controls are located in same areas as a 1911.

Yes, but it ends there. Weight balance is completely different. Trigger is completely different. Although the controls are in the same place, they actuate differently. Although the grip angle is the same, the grip size is thinner.

I bought a 22/45 thinking it would be almost as good as a .22LR top end for a 1911 (which my ramped barrel model wouldn't accommodate). It isn't. It isn't even close. To be fair, it is accurate and reliable, but if you want a rimfire clone of the 1911, the 22/45 is not that. I recommend trying before you buy on those (if at all possible, or at least fondle one real well). Some folks will love the 22/45, but for me, the missed opportunities with it (why, oh why, doesn't it take standard 1911 grip panels?) just overshadowed what it was to the point where I couldn't fully enjoy it.

I ended up replacing the Ruger with a used Sig Trailside- it doesn't make an attempt to duplicate the 1911 at all, but it is FAR more enjoyable to shoot, IMO.

Just because the marketing materials say the 22/45 is similar to the 1911 doesn't make it so. With a little more work on the frame, Ruger could have had a world class .22 pistol.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

I use a Kimber conversion for my full size Kimber .45 and I'm sure it'll fit most other full size 1911s...... I don't know if it would work, or if Kimber makes one, to fit a Commander. Even though it ran me nearly $300 I'm pretty happy with it. My wife likes it too. I just wish the slide would remain open when the mag was empty.

 

[mljdeckard]

I love my Ciener mounted on my Kimber, I just want to get some 15 rd mags for it, I wish they weren't $45 each. My experience wiht all .22 kits is: ginv them a few hundred rounds to break in, use hot ammo, spray them out with some aerosol cleaner every 200 rds or so.

A ways down on the wish list is an extra barrel tapped for a suppressor.

 

[1911Tuner]

The Advantage Arms setup that I've been testing is the nuts. The guide rod is also a truss rod that locks the top-end down tight on the frame, and it even locks the slide back on the last round. Accurate little piece of plunder, too.

 

[51Cards]

I have a Kimber conversion. Works great on my SA GI Stainless (actually, better than the "real" slide ...), and on my Defender. On the Defender the whole thing feels like it weights about as much as a Kel-Tec.

I like it for a bunch of reasons. Obviously, it has the same "hand feel" as whatever frame you're using. It's cheap to shoot. It fits nicely in a case with my Mk III and a 1911-du-jour. It means never having to run out of some sort of ammo. (Same reasoning as a 9mm Bar-Sto barrel for a .40 Sig., among others.)

I'm not crazy about the sights, but my eyes aren't as good with bullseye sights as they used to be.

Mine shoots Standard Velocity very well, once it's "warmed up." Forget Subsonic. (High Velocity preferred.)

 

[robctwo]

Yes, $1,100 is a good ball park on the cost. But, I already owned the upgraded 1911 and wasn't shooting it. I assume anyone asking about a conversion for any gun already has the gun, and is looking to add to that gun. I would not go out and buy a SA Stainless to upgrade trigger, sear, disconnector, hammer and mainspring housing to set up for a conversion. I'd get a milspec.

I'd also look at that Advantage Arms. Do those come with the 15 round mags?

 

[1911Tuner]

I'd also look at that Advantage Arms. Do those come with the 15 round mags?

Nope. 10 rounds. Don't know if there are any extended capacity magazines available...or if there will be. It's a neat piece of engineering. I'll see about getting a picture up sometime tonight or tomorrow...but probably tomorrow.

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

The very best set up; SA TGO2 and Marvel #1:

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

I had the Advantage Arms unit, it was not even close to the quality of the Marvel #1.

 

[robctwo]

Primersinmyshoe, you have impeccable taste. Seems like you might have a Brown Exec Target and a Baer PII as well? Does the Marvel have the 15 round mags as well?

 

[Primersinmyshoe]

Primersinmyshoe, you have impeccable taste. Seems like you might have a Brown Exec Target and a Baer PII as well? Does the Marvel have the 15 round mags as well?

I have two Baer PII's...

I didn't know that Marvel offered a 15 round mag. The 10 round mags suit my needs. I usually load only 5 in the mag at a time anyway (well, except for bullseye matches).

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

I have the Ciener conversion kit for my 1991A1. It works very well. It does indeed simulate the handling and trigger control needed in extended drills, at a fraction of the cost. It is what I will teach my Lady on after CO 2 and the 1022.