1911 / .22 Conversions

[BBsteel]

What 1911 manufacturers offer a .22 conversion kit if any??

I think this would be a great option for me to have while working out kinks on my shooting. I have a horrible flinch right now and think I need to buy a .22 to help solve the problem. While I was thinking that I also want a SA A1 Loaded so why not see if there is a .22 conversion kit. Any thing out there?

 

[jr_roosa]

There are a few, Marvel and Kimber make ones that just drop in. I haven't used them, but I have another suggestion you might want to consider.

You could get a Buck Mark Camper for about the same price (about $300) as a conversion kit and then you have 2 guns. The grip on the Camper is similar to the 1911, but the balance is a bit different...maybe not enough to matter.

I'd suggest at least checking one out at the local shop or renting one at the range before you make your decision.

Happy shopping.

-J.

 

[steelyblue]

Ciener, Marvel, Kimber, Wilson, Advantage Arms. These off the top of my head are some companies that make the 22lr conversion. Here are some pics of my Ciener kit on a Charles Daly frame:

 

[PirateRadio]

Hey steelyblue,

How well does your Ciener work? I've been thinking about getting something like that for my SA 1911.

 

[BBsteel]

I'll probably just go with the stand alone .22. I can find a used buckmark for under $250.

 

[wditto]

the Cieners are only 199 and work VERY well

 

[steelyblue]

PirateRadio, I have had the ciener for a couple of months now and shoot bulk ammo by the truckload(not literally). It functions perfectly after thousands of rounds. Some of the guys at the range have Kimber kits that they paid more for, that they had to file to fit. They have malfunctions with minimags, while I don't have any with bulk federal ammo. I just shot 250 rounds today and I'm punching the middle out of the target at 15 yrds. Best, cost effective way to spend my money and practice my 1911. I paid $250 for mine at midway usa. I can really tell the difference now when I shoot my 45.

 

[Jim PHL]

PirateRadio; keep in mind that SA specifically warns against using any conversion units on their 1911's.

Any SA shooters using one with no issues?

(If so, I'd like to get one for mine!)

 

[steelyblue]

Jim PHL, I haven't heard that, do you know why that is?

 

[WinchesterAA]

My Ciener kit works flawlessly.

I highly recommend the Ciener, shooting .22LR out of an otherwise complete 1911 is the best way to practice.

 

[jocko]

ceiner

I would never buy another ceiner, took me 6 months to get my 22 conversion for my G19. tried to call them, they would never answer, wrote them numerous times, no answer, hired an attorney in florida to write to them, no answer, 6 months later after turning it over the postal authorties for possable mail fraud, it suddenly arrived. It works ok but is sure not quality. I should have bought the advantage brand.

 

[jfh]

I bought one of the first Ceiner conversions--had to even install my own adjustable sights; they didn't make 'em that way then.

It's been mounted on a SA GI spec / NM frame that I built up fifteen years ago.

It works fine, save for being ammo-sensitive for low velocity rounds.

Jim H.

 

[Furncliff]

Are the 1911 - .22 conversions as easy to swap back and forth as the CZ 75 - .22 conversion?

 

[Dilbert]

Wilson Combat

I use a Wilson Combat .22 conversion on top of a SA (TRP frame) and have never had any issues. I would rather use the conversion than a purpose built 22 for practice/training since I'm using all my carry leather - I think that helps with muscle memory.

 

[littlelefty]

Page 60 of my SA Loaded instruction manual says "the firing pin on some commercial .22 conversion kits protrudes back too far causing the hammer to hit the firing pin when the hammer is in the safety stop position. When this occurs the gun could fire and is a potentially dangerous situation.....For your safety and the safety of others, these .22 conversion kits should not be used on any Springfield 1911 model pistol."

Don't know what brand conversion kits do that. I have a used Ceiner that works great. Yes, I could have bought another gun in .22 for the same $ but I opted for the kit to keep the 1911 fit, feel, trigger. You do lose the heft because the kit is aluminum; much lighter than the .45 barrel/slide. But with two 15 round magazine it is great fun.

And yes, easy to change out with the standard 1911 guide rod in place. Only a little less easy with FLGR. Really difficult with FLGR when stupid alan wrench is at home

 

[steelyblue]

Furncliff, it takes seconds to swap slides. I use mine as a dedicated 22lr 1911, however. I want to save wear and tare on my 45.

 

[51Cards]

I have a Kimber that works fine on a SA GI Stainless.

So far, my favorite combo with it is on a Colt Defender frame. The whole thing is unbelievably light, and doesn't seem to have any "too light" bad habits.

After fooling with the Kimber for a year or so, I think if I do anything further it would be to get a second mainspring housing for the GI and take the mainspring down a few pounds. The thing really doesn't like a lot of standard velocity stuff, and slooooow stuff won't cycle reliably. That's my only complaint.

 

[Zach S]

I've got a Ceiner upper with fixed sights on a dedicated 1911 frame. It shoots high, but its put the fun back into rimfire. I keep meaning to file the rear sight down to bring the POI down, but my good file is in my mother's garage, laying on my project car.

Mine isnt the most reliable, but I'm okay with that since it only defends against attack cans, bottles, and clays. Not to mention I can practice clearing actual malfunctions that never happen with the rest of my 1911s. I've got several boxes of remington GBs that run well in it, and federal that doesnt do so well.

The grip on the Camper is similar to the 1911, but the balance is a bit different...maybe not enough to matter.

Balance is different with a conversion on a 1911 anyway, due to the aluminum slide.

I would never buy another ceiner, took me 6 months to get my 22 conversion for my G19. tried to call them, they would never answer, wrote them numerous times, no answer, hired an attorney in florida to write to them, no answer, 6 months later after turning it over the postal authorties for possable mail fraud, it suddenly arrived. It works ok but is sure not quality. I should have bought the advantage brand.

Never buy from JAC. His costomer service, which ranges from non-existant to "**** off," is legendary. The only reason I didnt get the AA kit for my 1911 is because I couldnt find one. I hate the fact I put some gas in his Ferraris. Then a week later I got another one for my AR because it was available, and I didnt want to wait on Oly to make thiers or Spike's to come out with thier better Ciener.

And yes, easy to change out with the standard 1911 guide rod in place. Only a little less easy with FLGR. Really difficult with FLGR when stupid alan wrench is at home

It would actually be easier to swap to a rimfire upper with a FLGR. Just pop the slide stop out and remove the whole slide assembly as one part. The FLGR, wether its a one or two piece will keep the spring from flying out. The only advantage to a FLGR IMO.