.22lr conversions for 1911's vs. stock .22lr 1911's

seth

seth

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I've read a great deal about conversion kits for 1911's.

I love the 1911 platform but on a budget as a new shooter, I'd rather buy 500rd bricks of .22lr for HALF the price of a box of 50 .45ACP's

Conversion kits are wicked expensive PLUS I need to buy the platform gun so that idea's kinda out.

Are there such things as 1911 models in .22lr that come that way stock from the factory?

If so, where could I pick one up?

Thanks

Sorry about the stupid question.

Seth
 
Kimber makes one.
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I think I saw a used one at www.shooterschoice.com
 
if you can find one, it's called the colt ace- there were some imported from south america a while back, but they're mucho dollars- more than the big brother version- and it uses the exact same parts- if you MUST have a 22 on a 45 frame, probably the conversion kit on a norinco frame( get gunnar to trick it out first) is probably the way to go, other than that, the ruger 22/45 is an option- actually i've been doing both 22 and standard 45( mine's a 1911) and i haven't found that grip angle(17 degrees btw) makes that much of a difference- my 22 is a norinco copy of the colt woodsman
 
I just really love the weight ballance and feel of a 1911, looks slick and fits really well in my hand...

I'd LOVE to buy a Norc Commander but the 40 cent trigger pulls make my wallet cry.

Those Kimbers are nice, price tag?
 
If you are concerned with the cost of the 45 Ammunition compared to the .22lr, then you will double over with the difference between a Kimber and a Ruger.
If you like to shoot .22, get a dedicated .22 like the Ruger. You will waste your money with a conversion. (mho)
 
The problem with modern conversion kits

The problem with the Kimber Rimfire dedicated .22, or any modern conversion kit like Ciener, Marvel, etc, is that the slides are aluminum. If you go to the trouble and expense of putting an expensive kit on a .45 1911 frame, you want the same weight and feel as your regular .45.

I recently bought an original mint Colt Ace .22 conversion kit made in the '50s in good old-fashioned steel ( with the floating chamber to simulate recoil )and put it on a new Norinco 1911 A-1 I recently purchased.

Let me tell you that the Norinco fitted with Ace slide looks, weighs, and feels awesome. Another thing, it fires like a charm. I heard all the talk about how a conversion kit never works as well as a dedicated .22, but whoever believes that never tried an ACE.

My humble advice is to avoid the aluminum clone wannabes, especially the Kimber Rimfire which is a grossly over-priced aluminum frame and slide. Who in their right mind would spend $1000-$1100 for a fly-weight 1911 ( about 18 ounces! ) that couldn't possibly mimic the weight and feel of your regular 1911 for IPSC training purposes?

By the way, I got my Colt Ace for $250 + $8 shipping from a Gunnutz member, and my Norinco for $325 plus GST only and $25 shipping. Two awesome guns for $600, and a .22 that anyone would be proud to show off at the range.

Just my humble opinion

Gene
 
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The other issue with the 22LR top end conversions for a stock 1911 is that you
have to use a lighter hammer spring..
The lower mass of the conversion isn't sufficient to #### the stock hammer...
in effect you get a single shot unit!
My advise is.. train with what you're going to use...If someone wants to gain
expertise with the 1911 platform, don't expect that it will come by training with a unit that either weighs less( Kimber or similar dedicated 22LR) or has LESS recoil (Ace slide).
The Kimber 22's are great guns... accurate and fun to shoot, but they don't have the 'feel' of a centrefire 1911.
My first gun was a CZ85 Combat with the Kadet 22LR top end...works great and truly gives you TWO guns in one!
If someone wants to go with a 22 for economy, I would suggest a Ruger or similar..inexpensive, accurate, reliable.
Just my $0.02 worth....
 
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Anyone tried the Advantage Arms 1911 kit?

w ww.advantagearms.com/1911conversion_kit.html

I bought the Glock kit and really like it. Wondered if the 1911 kit was of the same quality?
 
Conversions

foxbat said:
The other issue with the 22LR top end conversions for a stock 1911 is that you
have to use a lighter hammer spring..
The lower mass of the conversion isn't sufficient to #### the stock hammer...
in effect you get a single shot unit!
My advise is.. train with what you're going to use...If someone wants to gain
expertise with the 1911 platform, don't expect that it will come by training with a unit that either weighs less( Kimber or similar dedicated 22LR) or has LESS recoil (Ace slide).
The Kimber 22's are great guns... accurate and fun to shoot, but they don't have the 'feel' of a centrefire 1911.
My first gun was a CZ85 Combat with the Kadet 22LR top end...works great and truly gives you TWO guns in one!
If someone wants to go with a 22 for economy, I would suggest a Ruger or similar..inexpensive, accurate, reliable.
Just my $0.02 worth....
Click to expand...

Hi, a couple of interesting statements that I thought I should comment on. I have a Kimber Tactical Custom II that I allow my daughter to use with a Kimber .22 conversion. I have never had any problems with the conversion cocking the hammer or having to change the springs. I have just removed the .45 slide and replaced it with the .22 slide. No problems at all. The other convient thing about rimfire conversions, is that you do not have to go through any CFC hassles as the slide is not a firearm.

Just my .02c
 
beltfed said:
If you are concerned with the cost of the 45 Ammunition compared to the .22lr, then you will double over with the difference between a Kimber and a Ruger.
If you like to shoot .22, get a dedicated .22 like the Ruger. You will waste your money with a conversion. (mho)
Click to expand...

I could not agree more. I think you would be better off with a good quality .22 gun. Of all my .22s I like the High Standard the best. Great trigger and I like the feel of the gun in my hand. After that then my S&W model 41 then my bull barrel Rugers. I have others but they are more interesting guns but nothing I would recomend. Before you buy something try it and try other guns first. Most shooters will let you shoot thier guns if you explain you are looking for a new gun and would like to try it first.
 
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beltfed said:
If you like to shoot .22, get a dedicated .22 like the Ruger. You will waste your money with a conversion. (mho)
Click to expand...

I don't necessarily disagree with getting a dedicated .22 like the Ruger since I have both a MkII 5.5" bull barrel and a 22/45 MkII 4.5" slab side barrel Rugers.

That said... I don't feel I "wasted" my money on a conversion either... picked up a Colt .22 Conversion Unit several years back. This is the one with the 'floating chamber' that amplifies the recoil of the .22 ctg to simulate the recoil of the .45ACP. Well, in theory, but not quite... Anyway, this unit is a tack driver! Got it set up on a WWII vintage Colt USGI frame. It could seriously give my Rugers a run for their money.

Not bad looking either... :cool:

2005-10-27_084949_Colt22Conv.jpg
 
I have to agree with NAA. I picked up this Colt Conversion slide a couple years back as well, and I have never looked back. I took it to a gunsmith and had a new bushing machined to an awesome tight fit. Works beautiful, and it is guaranteed to draw at a minimum, 2-3 "can I try it please" at the range.

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Last Xmas I purchased a Kimber .22 conversion kit for my Series 70 Colt Government Model in .45. Excellent piece of kit, and no spring changes were required! I highly recommend it for those days that you want to practice, but just don't have the time to reload. I'm very happy with my purchase.

This weekend, I'm shooting a 3 gun match in Lethbridge that is both centerfire and rimfire, your choice. I'm shooting the pistol portions in both centerfire and rimfire with the same handgun. That way I don't have to change belt, holsters or mag pouches...... just the slide on my Colt.


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1911 clone in 22 cal

If possible, by that I mean if you are 12-6 you can get a Llama large frame 22. Llama liked the 1911, it produced a lookalike in a few different calabers, I think 9mm, 380 and the 22. I don't know why they call it a large frame, thats all I think I know....Hope this helps:rolleyes:
 
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