Kimber Rimfire Target Conversion Kit with GSG Magazines - mini review

thegrandpoohbah

thegrandpoohbah

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Got it this week and was able to get to the range today. I have it mounted to a Ruger SR1911. The slide to frame fit is tight. I had to rack it by hand a few hundred times to smooth it out and wear off some of the black paint in order for the slide to rack smoothly. A bit of sandpaper may still be needed to clean it up some more. I got 3 GSG magazines with it in order to have the slide hold open on last shot. The GSG mags have a lot of slop but seemed to function just fine. Not sure I like the stock magazine though, it feels awfully cheap for how pricey this kit was. I ran 200+ rounds of 22LR through it today. It ran better than I expected. I had 1 FTF with Federal 525 bulk (36 gr copper wash, 1260 fps) in about 200 rounds. I tried some American Eagle High Velocity (40 gr LRN, 1240 fps) but it did not have enough oomph to cycle the slide and resulted in FTE's on every shot. Too bad I am running low on the Federal. Accuracy was fine, not great but I think that is more me than the gun. It shot about as well as the SR1911 does normally. Bottom line, I was able to go to the range and shoot 200 rounds for $12 rather than $120. Two more range days and this thing will have paid for itself. I think I will definitely look at the Kadet conversion for my CZ once I am able to source some more 22LR.

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thegrandpoohbah said:
Not sure I like the stock magazine though, it feels awfully cheap for how pricey this kit was.
Click to expand...

Criticisms of Kimber magazines aren't usually what you hear.

That said, thanks for your review. I've been mulling over buying the Kimber conversion kit for the cost savings that you noted a the end of your review. I think I might just pull the trigger (sigh, that was accidental) on it.

Incidentally, where did you buy the conversion kit? None of the CGN sponsor businesses seem to carry it -- outside of one place that had Kimber .22LR mags for the conversion.
 
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Interesting to hear the GSG 1911 .22 lr mags work with the Kimber 1911 .22lr conversion unit.

I did my own test before with GSG 1911 .22 lr mags in a Colt .22 lr conversion unit & also found they worked flawlessly.

Here are GSG 1911
and Colt .22lr conversion
mags:​


Top view:
DSCN0318.jpg


Profile view:
DSCN0313.jpg


Note the Colt .22lr mag follower is dished & sits forward at the front top of mag body compared to the GSG 1911 .22lr mag follower, which is flat on top.

How a GSG .22lr mag sits in a GSG 1911 pistol:

DSCN0323.jpg


I tried the GSG 1911 .22lr magazine in my 1911A1 frame that I use with my Colt .22lr conversion unit. The frame is a Springfield Armoury parkerized GI 1911A1 frame that I completed with my own parts. The slide stop is a Colt #2 which is correct for use with the Colt .22lr conversion unit. I noted that with the GSG .22lr mag inserted empty, when the slide is drawn back, the slide locks back on the Colt slide stop [as it is supposed to]. The magazine fits well & drops free when the mag button is depressed [as it does with a Colt mag].

With GSG 1911 .22lr mag in SA 1911A1 frame [with Colt .22lr conversion unit top-end]:

DSCN0311.jpg


With Colt .22lr conversion unit mag in SA 1911A1 frame [with Colt .22lr conversion unit top-end]:

DSCN0309.jpg


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NAA.​
 
plinker 777 said:
? Why not leave the Ruger as is and buy a GSG 1911? On range day I practice technique and shooting cadence with the .22, and once comfortable, I pick up the .45.
Click to expand...

It was cheaper and takes me less than a minute to swap the conversion on or off. My SR1911 has a way nicer trigger feel than the pair of GSG 1911s that I handled. Also I don't need to buy another set of grips to have everything feel and handle the same.
 
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