1911 Conversion

[Fat Boy]

I have a Springfield 1911 - I also have an EAA .22 conversion kit for 1911 guns. I did not acquire these items together, but would like to shoot .22's out of the 1911 as they are much less expensive than .45acp ammunition. I would like to find out from an expert, before trying to fit the conversion kit on the gun and scratching the finish, or otherwise damaging the gun.

Also, is there such a thing as a generic conversion kit magazine, or do I need to have the specific magazines from EAA?

Thanks!

 

[Drail]

I don't think using the conversion kit would damage the gun. It's usually a matter of the level of power that the .22 ammo generates (or not) that will determine if it will work or not. Most of the conversions I have worked on require a high power .22 round. Target velocity rounds will usually not blow the slide back far enough to eject and chamber the next round. You will want to use a magazine designed by the maker of the conversion. You may have to remove the extractor (if it is an extended type.) You also need to have the mainspring driving the hammer balanced with the recoil spring driving the slide. If the mainspring is heavier than factory weight it will retard the slide movement. If it is too light ignition problems will show up. 22 ammo requires a fairly healthy whack for reliable ignition. I have an old Ciener that drove me crazy until I got the springs balanced out. It runs 100% now.

 

[Jason_G]

You may have to remove the extractor (if it is an extended type.)

You mean the ejector?

Jason

 

[mljdeckard]

I use a Ciener conversion kit on a Kimber frame, and yes, it works much better with hotter ammo. I am seriously considering getting a dedicated frame for it with a lighter mainspring to make cycling normal ammo easier.

I say go ahead and put it on, if something stops it from going on don't force it. I'm not familiar with the EAA units, but as long as it locks, feeds and ejects, I can't see how it will hurt the frame.