1911 guy
Member
I've been thinking of getting one, is there any real drawback? Are there brands that are clearly better or worse than others? I know of Cenier, Marvel and Kimber, are there more options? Thanks.
.22 RF conversions for 1911.
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Walt Sherrill
Member
The MARVEL conversion, by all accounts, is the best you can get, with Bullseye-level accuracy. Apparently, some shooters use them in competition. Very, very accurate. (Around $300, I think.)
That's about $100 more than the Ciener conversions. (Some of the other "name" gunmakers offer conversions, but many of them are rebranded Cieners.) The Cieners seem to be pretty good, but not nearly as accurate.
That's about $100 more than the Ciener conversions. (Some of the other "name" gunmakers offer conversions, but many of them are rebranded Cieners.) The Cieners seem to be pretty good, but not nearly as accurate.
I looked into this about two years ago, and the Marvel 1 was king of the heap. At the time, Ciener was making the Kimber units, so you would pay extra for the Kimber roll mark.
I bought a Ciener Platinum for $200. I couldn't afford the extra $200+ for the Marvel. The Ciener is finicky, but still fun.
I bought a Ciener Platinum for $200. I couldn't afford the extra $200+ for the Marvel. The Ciener is finicky, but still fun.
Highland Ranger
Member
I have the Kimber on a Gold Match frame - tack driver.
(Lots of threads here and on http://www.rimfirecentral.com )
(Lots of threads here and on http://www.rimfirecentral.com )
huntershooter
Member
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- Dec 4, 2005
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I like my Marvel well enough I built up a dedicated frame for it.
I've had this Ciener top end on a dedicated alloy frame for several years.
Good shooter, but it likes to be kept clean.
You may want to check out www.advantagearms.com ,their unit locks back the slide.
Joe
Good shooter, but it likes to be kept clean.
You may want to check out www.advantagearms.com ,their unit locks back the slide.
Joe
Starter52
Member
I bought a Ciener for my Series 70 Gold Cup eight years ago. It is plenty accurate enough and totally reliable.
The Ciener is a plinker. The Marvel is highly accurate the aluminum slide does not allow for slide to stay open after firing last round. Rhe Jarvis is a novel all steel unit designed for HV ammo, quite accurate, fixed sight but dead center on target, and slide opens after firing last round.
Hope this help.
Tony
Hope this help.
Tony
Warning about Ciener
BEFORE you consider buying a Ciener product, please check the Better Business Bureau's file on them.
http://www.orlando.bbb.org/newsearch2.asp?ComID=07330033000568
They have an unacceptable rating with the BBB and refuse to deal with the BBB any more! Search online and you can also find multitudes of people that had nightmares trying to deal with Ciener. I wish I had done some research and wasn't so hasty in my purchase.
If you still decide to buy a Ciener conversion, you'd better pray you never have a problem with it. They DO NOT answer their telephone or return the messages you leave them! You will NEVER successfully reach a company representative. There is NO customer service at all. Please check around online for other people's experiences with the company BEFORE you consider buying anything from them.
Below is my experience with Ciener.
I purchased a "Kimber Closeout" from Ciener (http://www.22lrconversions.com/close-outs.htm). The attached link clearly says that the components are new. Mine do not appear to be so. There is significant fouling on the underside of the slide as well as in the firing pin area. It also has dents/nicks on it, as well as coming in a case that has "DEFECTIVE" written across the front of it. As long as it works, I can let that slide for the price. The kit comes without sights, so I included money and a note to buy adjustable sights for it. They sent me sights that could not work! The slide was dove tail cut. The sight was flat bottom! So I returned the sight by postal mail. I'll update you all with how that goes. I had called then no less than seven times over a period of three weeks. NEVER ONCE did a human answer the phone! NEVER ONCE was my call returned. All I had was a simple question, "Could you tell me the dimensions/angle of the dove tail and do you sell adjustable sights for it?"
My recommendation is NOT TO BUY FROM THIS COMPANY! Their product may be good (I don't know because I can't get the sights I need!), but they have ABSOLUTELY NO CUSTOMER SERVICE! They are the firearm version of a vending machine. If you ever have a problem, you'd better be able to fix it yourself or you can throw out your conversion and buy one from a reputable company.
BEFORE you consider buying a Ciener product, please check the Better Business Bureau's file on them.
http://www.orlando.bbb.org/newsearch2.asp?ComID=07330033000568
They have an unacceptable rating with the BBB and refuse to deal with the BBB any more! Search online and you can also find multitudes of people that had nightmares trying to deal with Ciener. I wish I had done some research and wasn't so hasty in my purchase.
If you still decide to buy a Ciener conversion, you'd better pray you never have a problem with it. They DO NOT answer their telephone or return the messages you leave them! You will NEVER successfully reach a company representative. There is NO customer service at all. Please check around online for other people's experiences with the company BEFORE you consider buying anything from them.
Below is my experience with Ciener.
I purchased a "Kimber Closeout" from Ciener (http://www.22lrconversions.com/close-outs.htm). The attached link clearly says that the components are new. Mine do not appear to be so. There is significant fouling on the underside of the slide as well as in the firing pin area. It also has dents/nicks on it, as well as coming in a case that has "DEFECTIVE" written across the front of it. As long as it works, I can let that slide for the price. The kit comes without sights, so I included money and a note to buy adjustable sights for it. They sent me sights that could not work! The slide was dove tail cut. The sight was flat bottom! So I returned the sight by postal mail. I'll update you all with how that goes. I had called then no less than seven times over a period of three weeks. NEVER ONCE did a human answer the phone! NEVER ONCE was my call returned. All I had was a simple question, "Could you tell me the dimensions/angle of the dove tail and do you sell adjustable sights for it?"
My recommendation is NOT TO BUY FROM THIS COMPANY! Their product may be good (I don't know because I can't get the sights I need!), but they have ABSOLUTELY NO CUSTOMER SERVICE! They are the firearm version of a vending machine. If you ever have a problem, you'd better be able to fix it yourself or you can throw out your conversion and buy one from a reputable company.
bumm
Member
I've got a Marvel type 2 and I'm very happy with it. It's not guaranteed to be as accurate as the type 1, but I've been very pleased with mine.
Marty
Marty
Black Majik
Member
I always rave about the Marvel units, so here it is for this thread.
GET A MARVEL!
GET A MARVEL!
OP
OP
1911 guy
Member
Thanks for the replies.
I'm not as concerned about target accuracy as I am reliability, this is going to go on a carry gun for practice when I have to use my "homemade" range. I don't feel comforatble slinging .45's at the backstop.
I'm not as concerned about target accuracy as I am reliability, this is going to go on a carry gun for practice when I have to use my "homemade" range. I don't feel comforatble slinging .45's at the backstop.
Zach S
Member
I'm planning on an Advantage Arms conversion, primarily since they lock the slide.
1911WB
Member
.22 conversion units
I've had 2 Colt units, a Ciener, and two Kimbers (a .22 and a .17 Mach2). All have functioned pretty well; all have been more or less finiky about ammo choices; and all have been reasonably accurate. I like the Kimbers best because they have barrel bushings and take down the closest to a "real" 1911. But the Kimbers are real ammo sensitive- the .22 likes CCI Minimag best in terms of functionality; the .17 does well on hornady and CCI, terrible on Rem. and so-so on Federal. All of these units need fairly frequent lubing- the Ciener least often and the Kimbers most often (at least every 100 rounds).
I've had 2 Colt units, a Ciener, and two Kimbers (a .22 and a .17 Mach2). All have functioned pretty well; all have been more or less finiky about ammo choices; and all have been reasonably accurate. I like the Kimbers best because they have barrel bushings and take down the closest to a "real" 1911. But the Kimbers are real ammo sensitive- the .22 likes CCI Minimag best in terms of functionality; the .17 does well on hornady and CCI, terrible on Rem. and so-so on Federal. All of these units need fairly frequent lubing- the Ciener least often and the Kimbers most often (at least every 100 rounds).
What's up with Jarvis? I'm still waiting for an answer.
I saw the post here about Jarvis uppers in .22LR. I went to their website, and I'll tell you, they look AWESOME! I want to purchase one, but I can't get an e-mail back from them, and I can't even get an e-mail into them. I have signed up for their website, sent the original e-mail, was redirected to a 2nd e-mail. I sent to the 2nd e-mail and was auto-advised, that they would accept or reject e-mails individually and as soon as could be. This was like 2 weeks ago. Seems like they would have received the e-mail by now. Seriously, have they gone out of business, because I do not want to give my CC# to any company on the brink of closing. Any info. will be appreciated.
Doc2005
I saw the post here about Jarvis uppers in .22LR. I went to their website, and I'll tell you, they look AWESOME! I want to purchase one, but I can't get an e-mail back from them, and I can't even get an e-mail into them. I have signed up for their website, sent the original e-mail, was redirected to a 2nd e-mail. I sent to the 2nd e-mail and was auto-advised, that they would accept or reject e-mails individually and as soon as could be. This was like 2 weeks ago. Seems like they would have received the e-mail by now. Seriously, have they gone out of business, because I do not want to give my CC# to any company on the brink of closing. Any info. will be appreciated.
Doc2005
Aguila Blanca
Member
Someone mentioned that the Kimber units used to be rebadged Cieners, and that was my understanding as well. Is it correct that the conversions Kimber is selling now (since they came out with their .22 caliber 1911 pistol) are made directly by Kimber, and not be Ciener?
And on a related note -- has anyone tried the Kimber .22 1911?
And on a related note -- has anyone tried the Kimber .22 1911?
Highland Ranger
Member
over a year ago they began making the conversion units themselves . .
Kimber .22LR 1911 & Kimber Conversion
I own the Kimber .22LR upper for my 1911s, and I have rented the all- aluminum Kimber .22LR 1911.
Both are excellent. The Kimber upper gives me awesome accuracy on all of my 1911s, but I do not like the light weight. I actually prefer heavy pistols simply for stability. For my part, I simply will never buy an aluminum-framed firearm of any kind. I know that they may well last, "...20,000 rounds with no meaningful wear..." but no aluminum will ever last as-long-as steel, and especially when steel can be hard-chromed for a surface hardness of +70 Rockwell.
Other than Jarvis, who else makes an all-steel, .22LR upper conversion?
Any info will be appreciated,
Doc2005
I own the Kimber .22LR upper for my 1911s, and I have rented the all- aluminum Kimber .22LR 1911.
Both are excellent. The Kimber upper gives me awesome accuracy on all of my 1911s, but I do not like the light weight. I actually prefer heavy pistols simply for stability. For my part, I simply will never buy an aluminum-framed firearm of any kind. I know that they may well last, "...20,000 rounds with no meaningful wear..." but no aluminum will ever last as-long-as steel, and especially when steel can be hard-chromed for a surface hardness of +70 Rockwell.
Other than Jarvis, who else makes an all-steel, .22LR upper conversion?
Any info will be appreciated,
Doc2005
Internal Firing Pin Block? Works with "Series 70" 1911s?
I was reading the Advantage Arms website regarding their .22LR conversion. In the section where they contrast their virtues against an other company, they describe an "internal firing pin block". That is fine for my Glock 17. However, all but 1 one my 1911s are series 70 Colt, or Series 1 Kimber. Am I reading this correctly?
Doc2005
I was reading the Advantage Arms website regarding their .22LR conversion. In the section where they contrast their virtues against an other company, they describe an "internal firing pin block". That is fine for my Glock 17. However, all but 1 one my 1911s are series 70 Colt, or Series 1 Kimber. Am I reading this correctly?
Doc2005
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