Well I just got one of these kits after being on the fence about it quite a while. I used to think that since they were almost as expensive as a Ruger MKII or other decent .22lr pistol, they were a waste of time. I have changed my mind now that I have shot mine.
I got it used from a fellow member of THR and it came with an extra mag. These mags run about $40 and if any .22lr mag is worth $40 these come close. The mags are heavy all steel and fit well in the gun. They are only 10rd mags but maybe with the AWB over, there will be some 15rd mags soon. I paid $130 shipped for the kit plus an extra Robar nickel mag. For that price, I figured it was worth a shot.
It was used and came dirty but I loaded 10 and shot them in my garage first. I had no jams and I got a nice small 1/2" group at 10M. I know it is 10M because that is what I shoot my pellet guns at. It was working so I decided it was worth a special trip to the range to try it out. I shot 200 rounds of RemThunderbolts through it with no jams in the first 150 but then it started to get dirty and I had a few jams near the end. Maybe 2-3 jams but I could tell it was getting dirty because the slide was closing slowly. It was very accurate, not as accurate as my Ruger MKII 5.5" Bull bbl but accurate enought to hit shotgun shells at 20-30 ft and clays at 45-50 ft. This makes a nice trainer for my Beretta 92fs. I can used the DA or SA trigger to learn the transition and not waste more expensive 9mm ammo. There is no decocker which would make it nicer. The slide does not hold open on the last shot either but it will hold open if you press it up with your thumb. I locked the slide back and put in a mag and dropped the slide release and it fed the round.
All in all, I am glad I bought it. As a trainer it is great but it is also more fun than a Ruger MKII because I get to shoot my Beretta. I have heard mixed reports about these kits but mine is great and I would pay the full price for one now that I know they work and are accurate. This thing needs cleaning but I think once I clean it up, it will work 100% until the next time it needs cleaning. My guess is it needs a good cleaning every 500 rounds or so. It problably can go more but I don't know because I started out with a dirty and dry gun.
My advice to anyone thinking about getting one of these kits is do it. They are a ton of fun and that is what shooting is all about. Well worth the money and I am a cheapskate. I also hear that Ciener will make it right for you if yours has problems. The biggest downside is the mags only hold 10rds and they are expensive. I don't think the mags are over priced, just expensive. It would be cool to have 4-5 of these mags and do some real shooting. Even better, make a 30rd rotary type mag like the 10/22 and have it fit flush. It looks like there is enough room to do it but I am not an engineer.
I got it used from a fellow member of THR and it came with an extra mag. These mags run about $40 and if any .22lr mag is worth $40 these come close. The mags are heavy all steel and fit well in the gun. They are only 10rd mags but maybe with the AWB over, there will be some 15rd mags soon. I paid $130 shipped for the kit plus an extra Robar nickel mag. For that price, I figured it was worth a shot.
It was used and came dirty but I loaded 10 and shot them in my garage first. I had no jams and I got a nice small 1/2" group at 10M. I know it is 10M because that is what I shoot my pellet guns at. It was working so I decided it was worth a special trip to the range to try it out. I shot 200 rounds of RemThunderbolts through it with no jams in the first 150 but then it started to get dirty and I had a few jams near the end. Maybe 2-3 jams but I could tell it was getting dirty because the slide was closing slowly. It was very accurate, not as accurate as my Ruger MKII 5.5" Bull bbl but accurate enought to hit shotgun shells at 20-30 ft and clays at 45-50 ft. This makes a nice trainer for my Beretta 92fs. I can used the DA or SA trigger to learn the transition and not waste more expensive 9mm ammo. There is no decocker which would make it nicer. The slide does not hold open on the last shot either but it will hold open if you press it up with your thumb. I locked the slide back and put in a mag and dropped the slide release and it fed the round.
All in all, I am glad I bought it. As a trainer it is great but it is also more fun than a Ruger MKII because I get to shoot my Beretta. I have heard mixed reports about these kits but mine is great and I would pay the full price for one now that I know they work and are accurate. This thing needs cleaning but I think once I clean it up, it will work 100% until the next time it needs cleaning. My guess is it needs a good cleaning every 500 rounds or so. It problably can go more but I don't know because I started out with a dirty and dry gun.
My advice to anyone thinking about getting one of these kits is do it. They are a ton of fun and that is what shooting is all about. Well worth the money and I am a cheapskate. I also hear that Ciener will make it right for you if yours has problems. The biggest downside is the mags only hold 10rds and they are expensive. I don't think the mags are over priced, just expensive. It would be cool to have 4-5 of these mags and do some real shooting. Even better, make a 30rd rotary type mag like the 10/22 and have it fit flush. It looks like there is enough room to do it but I am not an engineer.
