Well it's just not available with upgrades. So you could spend equally to upgrade or just buy an extreme.
The .22 is $629 @ cabelas
X-change kit is around $350, g10 grips $120, night sights and SRT are another $200 plus the work.
So for $100 more you can buy an extreme with all factory installed upgrades, and get a .22 conversion =less dicking around.
So it is actually cheaper to go with the 22 and change it up to 9mm, but that's like buying a Mercedes with a cloth interior to save a few bux...
Also there was a time when Irunguns was selling the elites for $799 usd. I got my .22 kit for $200cdn
Equals more gun for less.
The .22 mags don't hold the slide open because it's aluminum and it will wear.
But GS designs makes an extended follower that will hold the slide open for 12$
Only down side is that you must lock the slide open before the mag will drop free.