Questions about 1911 Ciener 22 mags

[buenhec]

I really like shooting my 22 Ciener conversion on my 1911. Its lots of fun, really reliable (after 600 rounds) ,cheap to shoot and hold 15 rounds.

I need these mags to drop free when released as I will be using this gun for fun runs at the local matches. The mags will not drop free and have to be helped. All other mags drop without a problem. Any advice? Also what bumper pads can I use? I dont really know if these mags disassemble from the top or bottom.

Thanks in advance.

 

[mainmech48]

The factory magazines for my own Ciener 1911 conversion unit only hold 10 rds. and drop free just as .45 mags do from the same frame.

If yours are for a single-stack 1911 and you can get 15 rds in them, they aren't Ciener factory mags and/or something is very wrong.

As for the bumper pads, I don't know whether any of the various units made for standard CF mags would work or not. I suspect that many could be modified to do so. The base plates on mine are easily removable by depressing the little "catch" button visible on it and sliding them off to the rear.

 

[35Rem]

If yours are for a single-stack 1911 and you can get 15 rds in them, they aren't Ciener factory mags and/or something is very wrong.

I happen to know that Ceiner does make 15 round mags for the 1911. So, nothing wrong there.
They didn't make them when I had mine. Wish they did, though.

Might try adding weight to the bottom of the mag to help it drop?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I got one of the first Ciener M1911 conversion kits and it came with a 15 round mag. Ciener went to 10 round mags with the infamous "Assault Weapons Ban." Glad to hear that he's back to full capacity mags.

You can crazy glue bumper pads on your mags -- I cut pads out of a cheap backpacker's closed cell sleeping pad.

To get the mags to drop free, you need to know why they aren't dropping free. Offhand, I can think of three common reasons:

1. The mags are too tight -- check them for marks where they rup against the mag well and lightly sand those marks until the mags drop free.

2. The mag release is improperly adjusted.

3. Part of the grips are intruding into the magazine well -- this is quite common with wrap-around grips.

 

[rcmodel]

Also check and see if any of the grip screws are protruding into the mag well.

If any of them are, file off enough threads so they aren't.

rcmodel

 

[mljdeckard]

Ciener makes not only 15 rd mags, they sell a new follower to make your old 10 rounder a 15 rounder. (On the list.)

How new is it? I've had a couple of .22 kits, and both of them required some break-in to get over stiff operation. I just put my Ciener on my dad's new GI 1911, and it wouldn't go back to battery at first.

Now, this suggestion might be out of my level of expertise, but would it be feasible to get another mag release that either drops easier, or could be fitted to drop easier? If you're using a gun you're serious about competing with, would it be worth it to mark the magazine with chalk, see in the markings exactly where it's hanging up, and lap it, or best yet, build a dedicated frame for it? I know that kind of defeats the whole idea of a conversion kit to begin with, but if you get the Brownell's 1911 catalog (free from brownells.com) you might see that it's a worthwhile project. (I'm about to do it.)

 

[mainmech48]

Sorry, my bad. I wasn't aware that Ciener 1911 conversions ever came with anything other than 10-rd mags. I honestly can't recall ever seeing seen one of any make that did. I bought mine with three extra mags 10 or 12 yrs back, and since they've all worked just fine and haven't needed any parts replaced I guess I just never had a reason to look to see if there was anything else.

If the conversion to 15 rds only requires a new follower and spring I may try it. From their website info the cost to have them do it for me on my 4 would be $70 all told or about twice the cost for those parts alone plus their standard $10 shipping.

As I've used it mostly to be able to maximize my trigger time with the 1911 platform practising my fundamentals and basic SD drills at the lowest possible cost, I haven't used the full 10 rd. capacity I've had much at all. In the interests of continuity of training I've stuck to 8 rds. for the most part.

With the present cost for generic ball ammo and reloading components making it tough to afford to do much plinking or casual shooting with .45's at all anymore, that may be due for a change.

I had to lap the slide on mine in slightly with 800 grit compound before it would fit completely onto my original frame and run reliably. It'll now slip right on any of my frames but there are some marked differences in POI vs POA and group sizes between them. If I had a do-over I'd spring for an adjustable sight version.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

For people looking for a .22 conversion kit for practice, let me point out the Ciener does not lock the slide back. For practice, I use my M1927 Argentine with the Colt Service Ace conversion kit.