Another something I don't need but just started wanting today. A Kimber .22 Target pistol in 1911 style. Does anyone have one of these or are you familiar with them? I looked at one today, all aluminum and looks to be well made. What do you figure one in like new condition would be worth?
Kimber 1911 style .22
- Thread starter blkbrd666
- Start date
- Status
I love the idea of a dedicated .22 in the 1911 format but after looking at/researching/handling the rimfire target guns made by Kimber I have decided against buying one because of durability concerns, feeding/reliability issues, mixed results with accuracy and cost. My plans now are to purchase Caspian frame and a Marvel slide.
BozemanMT
Member
I have two (ok, I have one, the wife has one)
Mine was used, the low end model (about $500), hers is the "custom shop model (about $1000)
Hers runs like a top
Mine can get tired and FTF occasionally, although I think it was the recoil spring which I've replaced but not shot again.
It's more accurate than I am (hers is much more so).
Better, it's the exact same manual of arms as my 1911's.
I can practice draw and shoot, timed events, etc for pennies a shot.
the magazines are expensive.
If you carry a 1911, you can't get better practice for less money.
MHO
Mine was used, the low end model (about $500), hers is the "custom shop model (about $1000)
Hers runs like a top
Mine can get tired and FTF occasionally, although I think it was the recoil spring which I've replaced but not shot again.
It's more accurate than I am (hers is much more so).
Better, it's the exact same manual of arms as my 1911's.
I can practice draw and shoot, timed events, etc for pennies a shot.
the magazines are expensive.
If you carry a 1911, you can't get better practice for less money.
MHO
There is a used one in a local shop for about $500.00. It's the all silver finished one...I "think" it's the lower or middle range one...the "Target" model. I don't know if that's a decent price or not as I cannot find a new one for sale anywhere. I did find a suggested retail of almost $800.00 for the same on online. I'm torn between either this thing and a 9mm carbine of some sort...that's an even harder decision because there are several models available. I don't have a semi-auto version of a .22 pistol with a long barrel, they're all small frames that I bought more to fill a hole in a collection. I guess I could test fire the Kimber at the shop since it's a used one...a great grouping would probably make the sale...that's happened to me before.
Feud
Member
Would a .22 even have enough power for a 1911 Government size slide to work properly?
Yes, the slide and frame are an alloy like a Beretta 92 frame. I took the one at the gunshop apart this afternoon and it's built very well...still having a problem with $500.00 though. I was kinda wanting to shoot today and might have actually bought the thing except the gunshop called and said I could pick up my Px4...bringing home two pistols would have been a dopamine overload. Anyway, I shot 100 rounds through the Px4 and left the Kimber behind again. For some reason, when they called in on my Px4 purchase, it got put on hold Friday...never had that happen before. Anyway, have it home now, so I have something to feel good about this week.
AZHighCountry
Member
I don't have a Kimber 22 but did pick up a Stainless Target II 45 that came with the 22 conversion. Took it out and it immediatly became my favorite toy. Very accurate and smooth as silk. I don't know if I would spend the money for a 22 since I don't don't shoot competition but I wouldn't give up my conversion unit.
LawofThirds
Member
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2008
- Messages
- 474
Out of curiosity, does anyone just buy the .22 slide from Kimber and then swap it out with their carry gun's slide? Or is dedicated frames the norm?
thatsteveguy
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2006
- Messages
- 9
A couple of years ago I purchased a used Custom Shop (Rimfire Super) version. I've never had a problem and like others have said it shoots better than me. In fact, I liked it so much I put a S&A flat magwell on it to increase the weight a bit and it's now at my gunsmiths so he can customize the front sight to a fiber optic. Needless to say, I wouldn't have spent the money if I didn't like the pistol so much!
AZHighCountry
Member
I did some checking around after I got mine in the package deal. From what I found it should work on any quality full size 1911 made to standard specs.
robctwo
Member
My shooting buddy bought the Kimber .22 and swaps it out on his .45. I bought the Ciener kit for my SA. My guess is that the majority of folks buy the kit to run on a .45 that they already own.
Phil DeGraves
Member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2006
- Messages
- 1,531
"From what I found it should work on any quality full size 1911 made to standard specs."
Depending on the year of manufacture of the conversion kit and the gun it's going on, the thumb safety might not work. Kimber will send you new thumb safeties (free) but it will need to be installed by a smith.
Depending on the year of manufacture of the conversion kit and the gun it's going on, the thumb safety might not work. Kimber will send you new thumb safeties (free) but it will need to be installed by a smith.
Ghost Tracker
Member
I have had less-than-ideal performance from a Ciener, nice mid-grade results from a dedicated Kimber (in .17 Mach 2)...and remarkable results from a Marvel upper on a dedicated .22 Caspian lower. You get what you pay for. DAGNABIT!
jfh
Member.
I have a SA 1911NM frame .45ACP I built up in the early nineties, and I also have one of the early Ciener .22LR top ends for it. This package needs more ammo testing, and it really does need high velocity ammo as well. I'll sort it out more when warm weather finally arrives here. The Ciener was the first of the "new" .22LR conversions, and mine is not particularly oriented to match accuracy. It came with fixed sights, and I added an cheap aftermarket adjustable rear sight. It shoots well enough to enjoy shooting it, particularly as a "range gun" for cheap practice.
From what I can tell, the Kimber .22LR switch-top is a decent package--I looked at one, as well as a new Target / complete, and there's no reason it shouldn't shoot well. With at least three manufacturers out there now, the competition has improved both the features and the quality, I suspect.
My favorite .22LR switchtop is a variant--it's the EAA Witness large frame and the EAA .22LR conversion kit.
For those of us who like 1911s--and they are my favorite semiauto design--the CZ-75 "update" to this design is a worthy expansion of the 1911 ergonomics and 'modern' features. The Tanfoglio / EAA version of this design is not only a good value but lends itself to the .22LR conversion.
I bought a EAA Elite Match 10mm back in January, and was very pleased with it. Then, the .22LR conversion kit arrived in February; I'd forgotten I put one on back order. The conversion fit well and works fine, but I have yet to sort out its favorite ammo.
When my .22LR conversion arrived, I was pleased with the fit to my Elite Match (and with the fit on my older .45ACP Witness frame), and the only real negative is the poorly-finished internal machining. However, it shot just fine--and it seems to prefer FC standard-velocity match; no FTFs/FTEs.
The standard EAA Witness sells for about $400.00 these days, and the Elite Match series has a "match" barrel but still no bushing (in any caliber) and sells for about $500.00. The Elite Stock does have a fitted match barrel and a bushing and runs about $700.00, I think--and the .22LR conversion is about $200.00.
Depending on one's interest in accuracy no matter the centerfire caliber, one could have a match-accurate package for perhaps $1000.00 total, including extra magazines.
If you're interested in looking over the EAA Elite Match, you can read my mini-review here. The review includes a comparison with my Kimber ST II 10mm, and some add-on comments about the .22LR conversion late in the posts. I'll be updating the accuracy info shortly.
Jim H.
From what I can tell, the Kimber .22LR switch-top is a decent package--I looked at one, as well as a new Target / complete, and there's no reason it shouldn't shoot well. With at least three manufacturers out there now, the competition has improved both the features and the quality, I suspect.
My favorite .22LR switchtop is a variant--it's the EAA Witness large frame and the EAA .22LR conversion kit.
For those of us who like 1911s--and they are my favorite semiauto design--the CZ-75 "update" to this design is a worthy expansion of the 1911 ergonomics and 'modern' features. The Tanfoglio / EAA version of this design is not only a good value but lends itself to the .22LR conversion.
I bought a EAA Elite Match 10mm back in January, and was very pleased with it. Then, the .22LR conversion kit arrived in February; I'd forgotten I put one on back order. The conversion fit well and works fine, but I have yet to sort out its favorite ammo.
When my .22LR conversion arrived, I was pleased with the fit to my Elite Match (and with the fit on my older .45ACP Witness frame), and the only real negative is the poorly-finished internal machining. However, it shot just fine--and it seems to prefer FC standard-velocity match; no FTFs/FTEs.
The standard EAA Witness sells for about $400.00 these days, and the Elite Match series has a "match" barrel but still no bushing (in any caliber) and sells for about $500.00. The Elite Stock does have a fitted match barrel and a bushing and runs about $700.00, I think--and the .22LR conversion is about $200.00.
Depending on one's interest in accuracy no matter the centerfire caliber, one could have a match-accurate package for perhaps $1000.00 total, including extra magazines.
If you're interested in looking over the EAA Elite Match, you can read my mini-review here. The review includes a comparison with my Kimber ST II 10mm, and some add-on comments about the .22LR conversion late in the posts. I'll be updating the accuracy info shortly.
Jim H.
76shuvlinoff
Member
conversion
This Sunday I went through 300+ rounds with a Kimber .22 conversion on my full size Raptor. Great practice and a bolt-load of fun. My wife (doesn't shoot) wandered over and I got her to run 50 rds though it. By the time she was done she was grinning not flinching and I do believe I have a new shooting buddy. For $300 it was money well spent.
So far mine shoots CCI Stingers and Minimags flawlessly.
Chokes and pukes on Blazer
This Sunday I went through 300+ rounds with a Kimber .22 conversion on my full size Raptor. Great practice and a bolt-load of fun. My wife (doesn't shoot) wandered over and I got her to run 50 rds though it. By the time she was done she was grinning not flinching and I do believe I have a new shooting buddy. For $300 it was money well spent.
So far mine shoots CCI Stingers and Minimags flawlessly.
Chokes and pukes on Blazer
- Status
