22s: GSG 1911 vs Ruger Mk IV, S&W, etc.

[Mosin77]

Lately I’ve been thinking that I need (you know, “need”) a semi-automatic .22lr pistol for shooting with my family. Currently my only 22 handgun is an old Hi Standard revolver, which is a great firearm in its own right, but my wife doesn’t like the DA, and finds the SA too light for comfort, so.... what to do?

This isn’t going to be in any way shape or form a competition gun, but it’d be nice if it wasn’t horribly inaccurate, and had little felt recoil.

I sorta weighed the options and decided on the S&W Victory based only on online reviews, but then I shot a Ruger Mark IV with a Leupold scope and it was a lot of fun. Then I remembered that these 1911s in .22 exist, and the price is very reasonable. On paper it sounds great -similar to my .45, cant be much recoil from a 1911-size gun, good 1911 SA trigger, etc. So, educate me. There’s gotta be a reason people buy dedicated .22 semi-autos instead of these 22cal 1911s, right?

 

[Howland937]

I've been weighing it out, considering a 1911-22. My cousin bought the GSG with fake suppressor. Did a little work on the trigger but it's still a kinda mushy. Fake suppressor makes it feel really weird, but it's reasonably accurate for a $250 gun. I've heard they also make the Sig version whereas the newer Colt is made by Walther. That's the one I've been eyeballing. I've owned Ruger, Browning, Sig Mosquito and a handful of the P22's as far as semi-autos. Most were fairly accurate but the Rugers and Browning's were the only ones that didn't fight reliability issues.

 

[LiveLife]

Then I remembered that these 1911s in .22 exist, and the price is very reasonable. On paper it sounds great -similar to my .45, cant be much recoil from a 1911-size gun, good 1911 SA trigger, etc. So, educate me.

German made GSG 1911 is sold as Sig 1911 22LR and has been reliable for me (keep it clean and lubed) with even cheap bulk ammo and plenty accurate (2" groups at 25 yards) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-chambered-in-22.870629/#post-11548167

Unlike other 22LR pistols, GSG 1911 has added weight to increase the "heft" of the pistol and same operations as 5" 1911 ... Good training aid for 1911 at 22LR cost of shooting.

For $269, hard to beat especially with threaded barrel for suppressor use - https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/213252

And up to 16 round magazine kits - https://www.taylor-tactical-supply.com/gsg-1911-22lr-s/132.htm

Factory metal magazines for around $17 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/1911-chambered-in-22.870629/#post-11548294

Here's Hickok45's take on GSG 1911/Sig 1911 22LR

 

[Alex Clayton]

Lately I’ve been thinking that I need (you know, “need”) a semi-automatic .22lr pistol for shooting with my family. Currently my only 22 handgun is an old Hi Standard revolver, which is a great firearm in its own right, but my wife doesn’t like the DA, and finds the SA too light for comfort, so.... what to do?

This isn’t going to be in any way shape or form a competition gun, but it’d be nice if it wasn’t horribly inaccurate, and had little felt recoil.

I sorta weighed the options and decided on the S&W Victory based only on online reviews, but then I shot a Ruger Mark IV with a Leupold scope and it was a lot of fun. Then I remembered that these 1911s in .22 exist, and the price is very reasonable. On paper it sounds great -similar to my .45, cant be much recoil from a 1911-size gun, good 1911 SA trigger, etc. So, educate me. There’s gotta be a reason people buy dedicated .22 semi-autos instead of these 22cal 1911s, right?

Any of the big names will work fine for fun and cheap range time. Also great for teaching new shooters. My favorite has always been Ruger. One big advantage to them in after market. If later you decide you want things like a better trigger it's simple. The MKIV design was an idea I hope someone got wealthy over. It makes cleaning a FAR more simple job. The Ruger is also offered in quite an array of models to fit what you want.

 

[Trashyshoots]

Any of the big names will work fine for fun and cheap range time. Also great for teaching new shooters. My favorite has always been Ruger. One big advantage to them in after market. If later you decide you want things like a better trigger it's simple. The MKIV design was an idea I hope someone got wealthy over. It makes cleaning a FAR more simple job. The Ruger is also offered in quite an array of models to fit what you want.

Going to have to second this. My mk4 was a solid little pistol

 

[sparkyv]

I had always wanted a MKIV, but was disappointed when I got my Hunter because my S&W Victory was so much better OOB. The MKIV, even stuffed full with Volquartsen / Tandemkross goodies is more disappointing than the Victory which has only a few upgrades. A scope can be mounted on the Victory as well, and there are numerous aftermarket upgrades available. I can't comment on the 1911-22.

 

[CraigC]

IMHO, these are different guns for different purposes. Any fixed barrel auto like the Ruger MK-series, Browning Buckmark, S&W Victory or the like is going to be significantly more accurate. This makes them a better choice for general purpose work, small game hunting or target use. Other guns like the various 1911's, Beretta 92's, Taurus TX22, Ruger SR22, etc., etc., are more like a service auto/trainer. By and large, they are great for defensive training and okay as a lightweight trail gun but not a great choice for field work. With some obvious exceptions like the Bob Marvel conversions.

 

[rabid wombat]

If it is predominantly for your wife, please consider letting her pick it out....

As said above...all good points. One not mentioned, since you have a 1911 - consider a conversion kit. I have a Kimber. The downside to the Kimber, no hold open n the last shot. Other than that, works fine for me.

https://store.kimberamerica.com/handguns/1911/rimfire-conversion-kits

 

[LiveLife]

since you have a 1911 - consider a conversion kit. I have a Kimber. The downside to the Kimber, no hold open n the last shot.

GSG 1911 has hold open with last round and priced lower than Kimber conversion kit at $269 - https://www.sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore.com/products2.cfm/ID/213252

And having 2 guns will allow you and wife to shoot at the same time.

 

[DDDWho]

My .22 handgun current inventory. A Ruger Mark IV Competition. Just getting familiar with it. So far so good.



A Rossi revolver I've had for a while. Have it sighted in perfectly. If she does not like the High Standard she won't like this one.



Finally a Ruger Mark III 22/45 with Bushnell TRS25 Red Dot. I pick this one up when I want to hit what I'm looking at. I killed a ground hog at 35 yards with it.

 

[Dudemeister]

My son has a GSG 1911/22, and it's OK. The gun finish is not that attractive, especially after some use. It's not aluminum or steel, it's made of Zamac, which is not all that horrible in some guns, but this one, at least my son's, after some use the finish starts to wear or chip, showing the bare metal underneath. Accuracy at 10-15 yards is OK, but not so much at 25 yards.

I see a lot of arguments about how using a 1911 in 22 is good training for the full size gun, and while that may be fine learning the ergonomics and handling, it's not a suitable shooting substitute for the real firearm, especially if you get too used to the little to no recoil, then you shoot the first .45 while your muscle memory had become accustomed to the .22.

I think that purpose made 22 are the way to go. They are generally better made, and much more accurate. Get a Buckmark or a Ruger Mark or a SW, or get a revolver in 22. You'll be much happier in the long run

 

[LiveLife]

My son has a GSG 1911/22, and it's OK. The gun finish is not that attractive, especially after some use. It's not aluminum or steel, it's made of Zamac, which is not all that horrible in some guns, but this one, at least my son's, after some use the finish starts to wear or chip, showing the bare metal underneath. Accuracy at 10-15 yards is OK, but not so much at 25 yards.

Could you post some pictures of "not that attractive finish"?

And how old is your GSG 1911? (Many wrote off Remington Thunderbolt like me due to duds/misfires but the new batch of Thunderbolts I bought the past 1 year has yet to produce a single misfire in all of my 22LR rifles, ARs with CMMG conversion bolts and GSG 1911 thousands of rounds after thousands ... So what used to be may not be now if there were changes/improvements).

I think there was some initial import complaints about GSG 1911 quality control, reliability and accuracy issues that I read about but I noticed that in recent years, those improved with many forums reporting positive reviews to the point I ordered mine last year and recommended to others to buy and shooting their new GSG 1911s, experience is the same as mine.

For me and friends who bought them, finish remains in very good condition, reliable with various "cheap" bulk ammo and accuracy is better than most other 22LR pistols they have. At 10-15 yards, it will poke a single jagged hole with average bulk ammo and I get 2" groups with mine at 25 yards.

Who knows, when Sig decided to relabel GSG 1911 as their 22LR 1911, maybe things changed/improved? Below are my typical groups with cheapest CPHP ammo you can buy and it's not even the most accurate bulk 22LR (And I am continuing 16,000+ round 25+ brand/weight 22LR ammo comparison with 2 new rifles so I can attest to ammo accuracy) - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...15-20-500-shipped.853059/page-3#post-11534906

And here's my Sig 1911 45ACP on top with more than 10,000 rounds (Yes, the Nitron finish held up very well) and GSG 1911 22LR on the bottom after several thousand rounds (Yes, the factory finish is also hoding up very well). And I am fairly rough with my pistols.

Here's closer shot of GSG 1911 22LR after several thousand rounds

And Sig 1911 45ACP with Nitron finish that's held up very well (Note the wear on finish on barrel bushing)