Colt .22 Conversion kit

Meanea

Meanea

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I would like to get some info on a .22 Conversion Kit. From what a saw it was made for the 1911 Colt were the 1911 could be made to fire a .22. What was the purpose of this kit?
Have anybody got more info or first hand experience with this kit.
What would and original Colt kit co$t and were would I find 1?
Thanks
Meanea
 
The Colt .22 Conversion Units were made for many years. The general purpose was to allow econo practice with .22's on the .45 frame. The Colt .22 unit uses a "floating chamber" that is supposed to amplify the recoil of the .22 to mimic that of the .45 ACP. Availability is hit & miss. The units come up on the EE from time to time. I'd expect to pay ~ $550 for one now in excellent condition with a proper factory Colt .22 magazine and the correct #2 slide stop that is supposed to accompany the unit.

I've had a few Colt .22 Conversion Units over the years. A complete conversion unit will come with a #2 slide stop to replace the .45 slide stop when the unit goes on the frame assembly. The .45 slide stop will work with the unit but will eventually start to burr the cut in the slide that it's supposed to lock into when the magazine is empty.

Currently, I still have a Colt .22 Conversion Unit. And it's a "keeper". It has a semi-permanent home on a 1942 mfg Colt USGI frame:

2005-10-27_084949_Colt22Conv.jpg
 
I have had my Colt conversion kit for over twenty years. When I was poor it was really nice to be able to get out and shoot the old 1911A1 without breaking the budget. The "floating chamber" can be problematical. Mine is sensitive to the ammunition I use (find a brand that works and stick to it) and most be thoroughly cleaned and well lubricated. But if I do my part it is completely reliable and vermin fear me.
 
If you are looking for a conversion kit stay away from the ones produced by Ceiner. They have no customer service and are almost impossible to contact. The answering machine is all you can reach, there is no email address to send a message to and the anwering machine says not to leave a phone number as the call will not be returned. That is my experience. Oh, yeah Mr. Ceiner is extremely rude to customers if you can track him down. He actually picked up the phone one time when I call, he picked it up by mistake I believe. Try one of the kits from Marvel. www.marvelprod.com
 
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to Bud45223
Thanks for the heads up on the Ceiner unit.
I am going to Knob Creek Kentucky in 2 weeks & was thinking of buying one of these down there. With the $ at par it would be a good deal.
But if they won't stand behind their product, I can buy another make.
Thanks.
 
I have a colt unit somewhere... Should look for it I guess... (probably with my collection of spare slides) It was on my first 1911 an NM I bought from Ontario Mercenary supplies (err sporting goods)..

Once I found out what It was I figure I did OK... paid 599 for the setup I think.. plus $25 for the transfer....
 
Kimber makes a decent kit. Haven't had any trouble with mine so far other that not liking unplated ammo.
 
I just read a review on the Kimber unit.
According to the article, at first they were made by Ceiner for Kimber , then Kimber designed & make their own unit.
 
I've heard that, but I don't know. It looks a lot like the Ciener pictures on the website.

Haven't had any trouble with it, either way. Oh, it doesn't like to be mounted on my 9mm 1911 for some reason (to tight to feed), but on the .45 its fine.
 
I heard the same thing as what Colinjw stated. Ceiner use to make Kimber's 22 conversion kits. Now Kimber makes their own.
 
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