Best 1911 .22 option?

Tom E Gun

Tom E Gun

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I am trying to decide if I should get a dedicated .22 1911 or if I should just get a .22 conversion unit for my .45 Springfield Armoury 1911 stainless Loaded model.

If I go the dedicated .22 route it seems my options are:
GSG
Chiappa
Colt (made by Walther)
Sig
Ruger 22/45 (not really a 1911, but has similar controls)

Did I miss any? They are all within my price range - which would be the best quality and/or most reliable?
I am not very likely to pick the Ruger, I would like something with a more realistic 1911 action that also disassembles for cleaning easily (I used to own a Ruger Mark II, bull barrel target model - nice quality pistol, but I never did figure out how to disassemble the thing:redface:).
Any practical experience or advice you care to share would be appreciated regarding .22 1911's or .22 conversion units.
Thanks
 
I've got a GSG 1911 and really like it. Pretty similar to a full size 1911 except for a takedown screw, with pretty good value. Magazines are probably the easiest things I've ever loaded and you'll want more since it's a blast to shoot. With the right ammo properly lubed up you won't have any issues, and the distributor is in Port Coquitlam so its not like you'd send it far anyway if you did.

Only thing is it's made of aluminum or alloy or something similar, so the weight isn't that of a full size 1911.
 
+1gsg, great value, still put more rounds down range with this than any other.......... Over 7000 to date and counting.
Got mine from Gunnar at Armco, little more but nice trigger job....... 3# pull.
Enjoy whatever you decide..
Import
 
If you opt for the Ruger be sure to buy the one with the screw mounted slab side scales. The all black molded version is very thin and does not fit some folks hands at all well if they use a large or bigger glove size.

Personally I like a .22 handgun to BE A .22 HANDGUN and not some small scale extension of some other gun. So I have no reservations about suggesting the Ruger over the others since thanks to a solidly fixed barrel it is going to be potentially more accurate than the other options. However of the rest I'd say to go with GSG. The ones I've handled and shot were tight, well finished and decently accurate for anything other than classic bullseye shooting.

Skip the Chiappa fit and finish issues from what I've seen. Skip the Colt/Umarex due to the Colt like price. The Sig MIGHT be a good "other" option. I just saw my first Sig .22 1911 and there's no doubt it looks like quality but I didn't ask to handle it. Just saw it through the counter glass. But when did Sig ever let anything not decent go out the door with their name on it?
 
BCRider said:
If you opt for the Ruger be sure to buy the one with the screw mounted slab side scales. The all black molded version is very thin and does not fit some folks hands at all well if they use a large or bigger glove size.

Personally I like a .22 handgun to BE A .22 HANDGUN and not some small scale extension of some other gun. So I have no reservations about suggesting the Ruger over the others since thanks to a solidly fixed barrel it is going to be potentially more accurate than the other options. However of the rest I'd say to go with GSG. The ones I've handled and shot were tight, well finished and decently accurate for anything other than classic bullseye shooting.

Skip the Chiappa fit and finish issues from what I've seen. Skip the Colt/Umarex due to the Colt like price. The Sig MIGHT be a good "other" option. I just saw my first Sig .22 1911 and there's no doubt it looks like quality but I didn't ask to handle it. Just saw it through the counter glass. But when did Sig ever let anything not decent go out the door with their name on it?
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The SIG is a GSG....no difference other then SIGS puts their name on it.
 
it's not full size, but i liked the feel of the Browning 1911. If I had the money, I'd have bought it. I'm 6'3 and while the gun felt small, it fit in my hands nicely. As well, the idea of the smaller frame appeals to me for any kids or ladies who may like to give shooting a try.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone!
The positive votes for the GSG have me looking hard at that option. I found a good review here:
www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gsg-1911-22/

One thing I like about the GSG is that it is available with a front rail. Since I am considering getting a SIG ACP with folding stock, this could be a good match. Anyone know for sure if the GSG fits in the SIG ACP carbine conversion? Also, the best deal I have seen on the 'railed' GSG is at Wolverine for $399, does anyone know of a better deal?
www.wolverinesupplies.com GSG-1911-22-LR-Tactical
Again thanks for the input.
 
I don't have a ton of knowledge to throw at you, but due to pricing, I found it a lot better to go with a dedicated 22 pistol than playing with an exchange kit of some type.

Consider the pricing of a kit vs a full, sole dedicated unit.
 
Tom E Gun said:
Thanks for the replies everyone!
The positive votes for the GSG have me looking hard at that option. I found a good review here:
www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gsg-1911-22/

One thing I like about the GSG is that it is available with a front rail. Since I am considering getting a SIG ACP with folding stock, this could be a good match. Anyone know for sure if the GSG fits in the SIG ACP carbine conversion? Also, the best deal I have seen on the 'railed' GSG is at Wolverine for $399, does anyone know of a better deal?
www.wolverinesupplies.com GSG-1911-22-LR-Tactical
Again thanks for the input.
Click to expand...

I have the Sig version and after 800rnds its running great! I broke it in using 100rnds CCI high velocity ammo (1645fps?) then tried some bulk ammo (Win555, Rem Golden, CCI blazer). The Sig ate it all up.
Some say you get bored shooting .22lr but I got bored of paying the price of shooting center fire ammo. Now I start off with 200rnds through the Sig then move over to my "big boy" toys.
The price @ Wolverine is about the same everywhere else. (Check Epps) Don't forget to buy some extra mags...I think Wolverine has the best price.
I found a supplier in the States that has a kit to eliminate the threaded frame/barrel pin. It's supposed to increase accuracy and make takedown easier. The kit consists of a new tighter fitting barrel and guide rod bushing. They also suggest getting their ss guide rod and spring. Anyone know about this upgrade and where to find one in Canada?
 
The GSG is decent for the price, my only gripe is the choice of materials they used for some of the construction. I guess that's what was required in order to keep the price so low. It's a fun gun and should last a long time regardless.
 
Is it a conversion kit or a dedicated HG? How does it run? Does the slide hold open on an empty mag?
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Kimber makes both.

The slide does NOT lock back on empty.

The GSG is your best choice.

Some day you'll need to get it Arma-coated due to a poor quality finish, but it's still a good value nonetheless.
 
Dexter Morgan said:
Kimber makes both.

The slide does NOT lock back on empty.

.
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So correct me if I'm mistaken...since the slide does NOT lock back on empty you risk dry-firing it everytime after emptying your mag. (Nubes and non-counters will do it all the time). Has Kimber done anything to prevent this especially when their product is a lot of $$$.
 
johNTO said:
So correct me if I'm mistaken...since the slide does NOT lock back on empty you risk dry-firing it everytime after emptying your mag. (Nubes and non-counters will do it all the time). Has Kimber done anything to prevent this especially when their product is a lot of $$$.
Click to expand...

I don't know of any modern .22 that can't safely be dryfired...they all have a firing pin stop to prevent it from peening the chamber edge.
 
johNTO said:
So correct me if I'm mistaken...since the slide does NOT lock back on empty you risk dry-firing it everytime after emptying your mag. (Nubes and non-counters will do it all the time). Has Kimber done anything to prevent this especially when their product is a lot of $$$.
Click to expand...

Mine is the dedicated .22LR version. I dry fire it all the time and my #### hasn't fallen off yet, must be a matter of time. I fire off at least 300 rounds every trip I make to the range. Awesome little plinker.
 
yohann160 said:
Mine is the dedicated .22LR version. I dry fire it all the time and my #### hasn't fallen off yet, must be a matter of time. I fire off at least 300 rounds every trip I make to the range. Awesome little plinker.
Click to expand...
If you're dry firing and your d**k hasn't fallen off perhaps you should see a doctor....so there's no peening happening?
 
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