1911 .22 Conversion

[yes, it's Dave]

I'm looking for a .22 conversion that will work with a springfield 1911 (I've heard some/most/all won't work)
I figured someone here would know.
Thanks,
David

[Black Majik]

There is:

Ceiner
Marvel (best)
Kimber

Go for the Marvel Kit. Trust me.


Colt Government with Marvel Unit 2 .22 Conversion Kit.

Good luck

[marklbucla]

I'll second the marvel.

I've had both a Unit 1 and 2.

The Unit 1 is the "Pinchy Pulley" type and takes standard ammo and is more accurate.

The Unit 2 has a "complete" slide, is ammo sensitive, and is not as accurate.

[sac7000]

I'm looking for a .22 conversion that will work with a springfield 1911 (I've heard some/most/all won't work)
I figured someone here would know.
Thanks,
David

I've tried both the Kimber and the Marvel, I prefer the Marvel best.

[asintado]

Just keeping familiar with the feel of a 1911. Plus its cooler. There are shooters out there that compete w/ a 1911 and save by practicing w/ a .22 conversion.

[marklbucla]

People say that Bullseye shooters use .22LR Marvels also.

For me, it's the familiarity of using the same grip, the same trigger, and having the same feel.

.22LR conversions have made me a better shooter vs. just using .22LR only guns.

[asintado]

Thanks, that's what I meant.

[Overkill]

Advantage Arms also makes a conversion for the 1911. It is the newer conversion on the market. The reviews I've read are very positive. One thing that it has that the others don't is a last-shot hold open (i.e. the slide stays open after the last shot). Because most conversions are made from aluminum, which could be damaged with a slide stop, they usually do not stay open when the mag is empty.

[Lester]

Jesse asks a very pertinent question. Years ago Colt made a .22 conversion unit with a "floating chamber" which produced a felt recoil similar to the .45 cartridge. These come up for sale now and then for about $400 or so. If I was serious about a conversion unit I would look for one of those. Otherwise, there are a number of .22 pistols out there which are designed to feel a lot like a Colt, and are priced very affordably.

[bootcamp]

Jesse asks a very pertinent question. Years ago Colt made a .22 conversion unit with a "floating chamber" which produced a felt recoil similar to the .45 cartridge. These come up for sale now and then for about $400 or so. If I was serious about a conversion unit I would look for one of those. Otherwise, there are a number of .22 pistols out there which are designed to feel a lot like a Colt, and are priced very affordably.

Mark III 22/45?

[BamBam-31]

Accuracy has nothing to do with felt recoil. If you shoot well with a .22 conversion on your 1911, you should shoot well with .45 as well. The technique is the same--sight alignment, trigger squeeze, breath control, etc. Felt recoil, for all intents and purposes, is after the fact. If you let felt recoil dictate your shooting technique, you're doing it wrong.

This is, of course, more with respect to the Bullseye discipline than the IPSC run-and-gun style of shooting.

Oh, and I've shot Black Majik's Marvel unit, and it's pretty darn nice.

[sac7000]

Hey, what's the point of a .22 conversion for a 1911? Instead of just buying a .22 for not much more money?

I've read where some agencies use the 1911 .22 conversions to train with before moving up to the .45ACP round. I found that by shooting a few magazines of .22's before switching to .45ACP did help me overcome recoil anticipation and eliminate other bad habits such as closing my eyes momentarily while squeezing the trigger.

[Paradiddle]

I love my Marvell kit.

[Mael]

Marvel is the way to go.

I got a Marvel kit last year and I love it. It works flawlessly with my Kimber Gold Match. Very accurate and reliable.