Springfield 1911 TRP - 22LR conversion

[strelok76254]

Hello Everyone,

I am enjoying Springfield TRP, good buy from buds guns.

A typical trip to the range is about 150-200 rounds, at this rate I will "run out of money".


I still have a lot of practicing to do, so I was considering a 22LR conversion, same frame, same grip, same trigger!
When I googled 22LR conversion, Kimbers come up a lot. People seem to mention Colts a lot and RIA 1911 with GSG conversion, but I haven't seen a lot of people talk about Springfields converted to 22LR.

Springfield TRP manual advises against 22LR conversion.

Using reasoning skills, one would thing that as long as SA TRP frame is mil-spec, about any conversion should work on it.

So my question, is there any possible way that a 22LR conversion will damage my TRP?

I also think it is acceptable to have a few FTF and FTE with 22LR (1 in 20 or less), I always see mine and my friends 22LR semi-auto arms jamming, so I got used to it, just like blue screen of death on Windows.

Please, advise!

[static2126]

Personally if it is my home defense gun I would not run a .22 conversion on it because I feel it may compromise reliability. That said it's more a gut feeling. I would just buy a 2nd TRP as a dedicated .22 unit.

If not your primary HD or carry gun then yes it's fine.

[kmca]

I've run the Kimber conversion on several different frames and they ran just fine.

[350skylark]

i think it has to do with the trp having some hand fitting to match the slide to frame, by putting another slide on it would mess with the fit. Where as colts and RIA are just matched with the best fitting frame/slide combo from the factory with little hand fitting involved.

[Blur125]

IMO - Conversion kits cost just as much as a complete 1911 .22 pistol. I'd go with something designed to shoot .22 than a conversion.

Chiappa 1911/22 - $199 (http://bit.ly/1LHJlIq)

[krisjon]

Springfield TRP manual advises against 22LR conversion.

Using reasoning skills, one would thing that as long as SA TRP frame is mil-spec, about any conversion should work on it.

So your reasoning skills outweigh the recommendations and expertise of SA's engineers and gunsmiths? People who know their guns slightly better than you do?

[kmca]

So your reasoning skills outweigh the recommendations and expertise of SA's engineers and gunsmiths? People who know their guns slightly better than you do?

They also recommend against using reloaded ammunition
So, is using a conversion actually harmful, or is it a question of liability?

[krisjon]

They also recommend against using reloaded ammunition
So, is using a conversion actually harmful, or is it a question of liability?

Understood. We're talking about a 1911, though. Not exactly a drop-in platform when it comes to many aftermarket parts and accessories.

[fmunk]

Been there. Done that. Conversions sound good hypothetically, until you put it to use. While the process of converting back and forth is not difficult, it is inconvenient enough to feel like a chore. It's more convenient and less time consuming to keep full guns. Plus, some indoor ranges will not allow you to work on your firearm at the lanes or in the waiting area. So what if you want to shoot both 22LR and 45 that day? You have to leave the range and return. It's a chore, believe me. I'm not saying this only because I'm selling one. I'm selling one because I've purged myself of the last remaining full fledged 1911 I owned, and have no more need to keep a 22LR variant.

Cost of a full 1911-22 isn't much more than a conversion. And the brand doesn't have to match your full grown 1911. A 1911 is a 1911. The general ergonomics and operation is the same. So much of your familiarity or muscle memory is retained. The rest are cosmetic and can be changed to your heart's desire.

Now for reliability. Regardless of how often you experience malfunctions, any stoppage result to interruptions, which corresponds to how much or how little fun your range sessions are. This is a simple issue to fix: Use only high velocity 22LR ammunition! I don't know of a single conversion or full 1911-22 pistol that can run cheap low powered, low quality controlled ammunition reliably. All the ones I've experienced run 3 or 4 rounds between stoppages. Upon switching to high velocity (CCI Mini-Mag, Remington Thunderbolt, Winchester Super-X, Remington Yellow Jacket, etc.) not a single problem. Plink away!

CCI Mini-Mag isn't the only game in town. Yet, it is what most people buy... and pay more for it.

[static2126]

Been there. Done that. Conversions sound good hypothetically, until you put it to use. While the process of converting back and forth is not difficult, it is inconvenient enough to feel like a chore. It's more convenient and less time consuming to keep full guns. Plus, some indoor ranges will not allow you to work on your firearm at the lanes or in the waiting area. So what if you want to shoot both 22LR and 45 that day? You have to leave the range and return. It's a chore, believe me. I'm not saying this only because I'm selling one. I'm selling one because I've purged myself of the last remaining full fledged 1911 I owned, and have no more need to keep a 22LR variant.

Cost of a full 1911-22 isn't much more than a conversion. And the brand doesn't have to match your full grown 1911. A 1911 is a 1911. The general ergonomics and operation is the same. So much of your familiarity or muscle memory is retained. The rest are cosmetic and can be changed to your heart's desire.

Now for reliability. Regardless of how often you experience malfunctions, any stoppage result to interruptions, which corresponds to how much or how little fun your range sessions are. This is a simple issue to fix: Use only high velocity 22LR ammunition! I don't know of a single conversion or full 1911-22 pistol that can run cheap low powered, low quality controlled ammunition reliably. All the ones I've experienced run 3 or 4 rounds between stoppages. Upon switching to high velocity (CCI Mini-Mag, Remington Thunderbolt, Winchester Super-X, Remington Yellow Jacket, etc.) not a single problem. Plink away!

CCI Mini-Mag isn't the only game in town. Yet, it is what most people buy... and pay more for it.

Great post

[strelok76254]

Excellent info, thank you!

Chiappa 1911/22 - is Chiappa even on CA gun roster?

I've looked into getting a dedicated GSG 1911, but because of 30 day waiting period, I'd rather use it up for another 1911 in 9mm or a rail gun, there are a lot of good choices out there. Got a 1911 bug....

So forum's consensus is "No, do not put 22LR conversion on SA TRP"?

If anyone has any experience with SA and 22LR conversions, please let me know.

I do understand that TRP has some hand fitting, so even though it is a SA, it is almost in a different category.

Thank you!

[fmunk]

Excellent info, thank you!

Chiappa 1911/22 - is Chiappa even on CA gun roster?

If I remember my past research, the GSG 1911-22 (and its Sig branded version, same German manufacturer only difference is branding) have the most parts commonality with full grown 1911s and are best built. Google search. I recall reading some quality issues concerning the Chiappa 1911-22s. And, if you know enough to mention the roster, you should know enough to look it up.

I've looked into getting a dedicated GSG 1911, but because of 30 day waiting period, I'd rather use it up for another 1911 in 9mm or a rail gun, there are a lot of good choices out there. Got a 1911 bug....

What 30 day waiting period? If you find a dealer stocking a GSG 1911 CA, all it takes is you paying for it plus DROS and waiting 10 days. Take a look at my listing. It's more than a new example from a dealer, but it's also nearly fully loaded... short of having the new skeletonized slide from CWA. You also get a spare threaded barrel for when and if you ever move out of this state and get a can.

Difference between GSG 1911-22 and GSG 1911-22 CA, on the CA version they permanently glue the barrel cap covering the threads. Otherwise, no difference. Mine has the CA compliant barrel installed. Free state factory barrel on the side.

So forum's consensus is "No, do not put 22LR conversion on SA TRP"?

No. For the cost, you are better off getting a dedicated rimfire 1911. No brainer. Rimfire ammunition is also dirty by nature. Would you rather gunk up your expensive SA TRP or an inexpensive dedicated 1911-22? Also a no brainer.

[Lead Waster]

Hello Everyone,

I am enjoying Springfield TRP, good buy from buds guns.

A typical trip to the range is about 150-200 rounds, at this rate I will "run out of money".

...

If you convert it to .22, you'll run out of money faster!

[fmunk]

If you convert it to .22, you'll run out of money faster!

Not possible. Cost of 22LR is far less than 45 ACP... if you can find it in stock! which hinders your expenditure even more.

[fmunk]

I find shooting 22 completely unfulfilling. And the best competitive shooters, don't shoot 22 for practice; they have dry fire routines they do at home.

If you want to get better at shooting, spend the money on a firearms class from a vetted professional, not on a 22 conversion.

I kind of agree. After going through that phase, 22 is only good for these two things:
1. Goofing around in the desert, plinking breakable targets with high cap magazines (like out of a tactical 22 rifle) — moot in CA.
2. Getting new shooters involved who are too scared to shoot anything else that you've brought to the range.

I have a fully built 10/22 with PWS carbon sleeved barrel, and it hardly ever gets any use despite being a tack driver. But, I can see a place for 22s in general. Let's not forget the recent panic where most calibers cost more than their weight in gold and you just have that itchy finger that can't be scratched.

Stock up on some 22LR and you're set for the next price surge. Get the entire range to yourself because no one else can afford to feed their 9s, 40s, and 45s.