least expensive pistol that swaps calibers?

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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my buddy just got his PAL/RPAL and wants to buy a pistol that can swap rimfire for centerfire, or visa versa.

he knows about the Sig P226 and I told him about the CZ options with the Kadet kits.

what else is out there as he's trying to be frugal before he goes all in...which is likely has after he's dipped his toes into something, he goes full boar (like buys a $2000 bike to check out cycling...then buys a $10K bike when he decides he likes it).
 
...So you're looking for the least expensive thing for your buddy that is willing to spend an exorbitant amount of money on something? Lol.

I've heard great things about the CZ conversion kits. But they're not cheap. More often than not you're better off buying a dedicated rimfire pistol, like KliiR99 said. The conversions are either expensive as balls, or they're nothing but reliability problems.
 
+1 on getting a dedicated rimfire pistol. Alternatively the cost of a rimfire conversion/dedicated rimfire pistol is probably better spent on ammo for practice.

I realize that now with my 1911s. Bought a GSG 1911-.22lr for some cheap practice and now I feel I would have been better off just buying $450 of .45acp and hit the range.
 
yeah, that's what I've advised him to do as well, but you know...beginners want what they want. ;)

none the less...aside from the P226, the CZ Kadet kits and the convertibles for Glock, anything other platform out there that allows you to swap the pistol caliber with one of them being .22LR?
 
Inclined to agree wit dedicated pistols...22’s can be finakey...cz’s 22 caliber exchange is very good..have a bud running one on his shadow....but as stated ...pricey....have had several .40/9mm caliber kits that were great value..
 
It sounds as if he wants a center pistol first and then find a .22 conversion that fits it.
If so he should decide which pistol(s) he wants and see if a .22 conversion is available.
 
KleeR99 said:
Why swap calibers?

For the money they want for conversion kits you may as well buy a separate pistol.
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I can't speak for others, but for $400 bucks I got a complete 226 slide in .40 with a .357 SIG barrel. There's no galaxy in which I could have bought another SIG for that.
 
Grab a Glock G22 from one of the sponsoring dealers and then scoop up a 9mm conversion. Probably less than $1,000.00 all in, then grab one of the Complete .22 top ends, 3 calibers one platform for $1,500.00
 
It will not be cheap. I have a CZ 85C and an SP01 Shawdoline. I purchased an Antreg Zenith 22s kit and it fits both pistols. The only drawback, you have to use the factory mainspring, otherwise, it will not consistently fire in SA. Also, minor fitting is required. I heard, this is also the case with the CZ Kadet kit. The Antreg Zenith 22s is slightly cheaper than the Kadet Kit, and is all-steel. Magazine is polymer against the Kadet Kit which used to be steel though I saw some polymer mags from CZ and I am not sure what comes with the Kadet 2 kits. Glock and 1911s has 3rd party conversion kits but I am not aware of the material used and quality. GSG 1911 has a conversion kit, but for about $ 100 ++ more, you can get a complete pistol. BUt the GSG 1911 will not last as most of complete rimfire pistols. Slide wear is a common issue because of the material used in the slide against a harder frame. If you can find some used Ruger Mk 1-3 or Browning Buckmark series, they are damn reliable. Might not be as cheap as you would wanted, but it will last longer than the GSG 1911. Just beware of the complete field stripping/cleaning for both brands. SIG also has the caliber Exchange series. You can buy a rimfire and buy the centrefire conversion later. Again, not cheap, but drop-in with very minor fitting required. Good luck!
 
JungerJager said:
Grab a Glock G22 from one of the sponsoring dealers and then scoop up a 9mm conversion. Probably less than $1,000.00 all in, then grab one of the Complete .22 top ends, 3 calibers one platform for $1,500.00
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Heh, that's also something I'd do if I could get my time machine working. Went with a Glock 17 as my first pistol and trying to find all the parts (ie a complete Glock 22 slide assembly) so that I can fire .40 and .357 sig is a lot harder than it should be.
 
Scotty454 said:
...So you're looking for the least expensive thing for your buddy that is willing to spend an exorbitant amount of money on something? Lol.

I've heard great things about the CZ conversion kits. But they're not cheap. More often than not you're better off buying a dedicated rimfire pistol, like KliiR99 said. The conversions are either expensive as balls, or they're nothing but reliability problems.
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This is certainly NOT true of the CZ .22 Kit. The CZ kit only requires 1/3rd of the slide to move to operate. I have had one for years and have yet to have any jamming issues with it. That said, if money is a concern buying a dedicated .22LR like a Browning or Ruger is a less expensive way to go and you get the benefit of having yo pistols for two different applications.

Take Care

Bob
 
I definitely agree with you Guru Bob. With the proper adjustment/s, my 3rd party CZ compatible conversion is a charm. I was surprised to see it run better with 40 gr SV rounds. I have seen an OE Kadet Kit with very minor issues related to the ammo.

Canuck44 said:
This is certainly NOT true of the CZ .22 Kit. The CZ kit only requires 1/3rd of the slide to move to operate. I have had one for years and have yet to have any jamming issues with it. That said, if money is a concern buying a dedicated .22LR like a Browning or Ruger is a less expensive way to go and you get the benefit of having yo pistols for two different applications.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...
 
Mine runs like a Swiss clock. Not sure it does much for practicing for center fire shooting. If you are not careful you can develop some pretty bad habits often hidden by the absence of recoil with the .22. Good way to practice trigger and grip technique though. Garu??? Christ I must be getting old. :>)

Take Care

Bob
 
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