Advantage Arms 1911 .22 LR conversion kit (overview/pics/video)

[1KPerDay]

Finally got my Advantage Arms 1911 conversion kit up and running, after a year of procrastination.





It wouldn't cycle even mini-mags with the stock mainspring so I installed the 18 lb spring that comes with the kit, and it runs great with Remington Golden Bullet (which I generally despise, but works great in this and my M11/22 subgun) and a couple others. Lots of malfunctions with Winchester and Federal.

Fun as heck to shoot! The AA kit has some advantages over other designs using aluminum slides, as it has a hardened steel insert that allows the slide stop to function. Adjustable sights, nicely finished, good magazines for about $20 per.

I recommend it! They also make them for Glocks of various sizes.

www.advantagearms.com


Video for those interested

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scT5lmSzcDk

 

[1KPerDay]

Update: I have had zero malfs with CCI Mini-Mags, Remington GB (vintage and new), and Federal HV match. I continue to have problems with Winchester Super-X and Bushman. (I only shot more of those to test the group size; I won't try it any more.)

I shot all my available ammo for groups this morning and the Mini-mags were second best (about 1 inch at 30 feet, rested) but the new Remington GBs were the clear winner. One hole groups, maybe .5 to .75". I was shocked. I didn't know there was so much variation in .22 ammo; I haven't shot .22s a LOT for groups; mostly plinking stuff. Some of the other stuff was like 2-3 inches at 10 yards!

I have not had good luck with RGB in the past in other pistols, and after watching several case failures during matches in others' guns I've avoided it like the plague. But I haven't had a single issue with this batch... mabye I got a good box.

 

[1KPerDay]

Directions on how to detail strip the slide in case someone browses this up in the future:

You will need a 3/32 punch and a #10 Torx driver and a small hammer.

Here are the steps to remove the firing pin.

1. Using your 3/32 punch and hammer, push out the roll pin that holds the
extractor in place. Push from the top so that the pin comes out the bottom.

2. Remove the extractor and extractor spring.

3. Using your #10 Torx driver remove the 6-32 Torx screw that holds the
bolt in place. The bolt is the steel insert that houses the firing pin.
This screw was installed using Red LocTite #262 and may be difficult to
remove so be careful not to round out the Torx socket.

4. Remove the bolt. The bolt is a tight fit. You may need to tap the
bottom of the slide against a solid table top you jar it free.

5. One you have the bolt out of the slide you will see a 3/32 pin that
keeps the firing pin from coming out. Push the 3/32 pin out of the bolt to
remove the firing pin. This 3/32 pin is a loose fit.

6. There is a spring that goes over the small end of the firing pin, it may
remain inside the bolt. Remove this spring for cleaning.

Reassemble in the opposite order being sure that the bolt is pressed all the
way in up tight against the slide. NOTE: Install the extractor roll pin
from the bottom.

Regards,

Advantage Arms

 

[jogar80]

Nice, been contemplating one of those kits for a while now. Thanks for the review and updates!

 

[TonyT]

You should also considewr the Tactical Solutions kit - it's all steel which eliminates the problem of the steel insert falling out. It also adds a bit more weight which is helpfull and functions with a wider choice of ammunition.

 

[1KPerDay]

For those interested, I made a video of the detail strip/disassembly process.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpLokpmK8tk

 

[bigfatdave]

Any idea if the kit would fit on an Officer frame?

 

[1KPerDay]

Dunno, but I imagine so. The kit contains its own ejector, feed ramp, and extractor (of course). It fits on full sized 1911 frames. The dust cover just overlaps a bit at the front. On the officer it would have a gap there. Like this commander frame and full size conversion unit.

You can email them and ask. http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AASOS&Category_Code=FAQ

Obviously the mags would stick out as well.

 

[bigfatdave]

it would be OK if it was "cosmetically challenged" ... I just want a trainer for the gun I actually carry rather than something oversized.