Browning 1911-22lr thoughts?

[Drewstheboss]

Hey everyone! First post!
So I'm looking at getting a Browning 1911 22lr. Wondering how you guys that have shot them feel about it? Seems like they go for around $500. A local store has one for $599 but they're prices are higher then most places on anything

[keenkeen]

Nice little 22...

[Drewstheboss]

It does look nice. I like the 1911 style and it's an American made but how do they shoot and operate? I want to get something my mother can shoot with us when we go to the ranch.

[Dcaren]

Fun little gun. Eats cheap Federal Automatch like a champ. However sights are horrible and there are zero upgrade options to improve them. Therefore I would not recommend for a newbie.

[Drewstheboss]

That's kinda lame there is no upgrades for it. She's familiar with firearms and can shoot just fine other than wanting a small caliber.

[ojisan]

Reliable, shoots straight, easy to take down for cleaning.
Pricey but worth the money.
I waited and watched and finally got mine on sale for $499.

Unfortunately, only the G.I style model is approved for sale in CA.
They now have more modern style models with beavertail safeties and bigger sights.
You could order these as spare parts and install them if you wanted to.

[aca72]

Although it's 85% size of a .45 ACP 1911, it's 100% fun to shoot!

[nickel plate]

Fun little gun. Eats cheap Federal Automatch like a champ. However sights are horrible and there are zero upgrade options to improve them. Therefore I would not recommend for a newbie.

Exact reason why I didn't buy one, instead went with a Ruger 22/45.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Would love to have one. I just haven't been able to justify the $$$, and there is lots of other stuff higher on the list of isht that I can't afford.

[lostinsurf]

I went to the SHOT show and racked the slide on one before they came out. I immediately cut the webbing on my left hand. I was embarrassed and tried to get a tissue on it quick. Within 60 seconds, I saw a guy do they same thing to his hand. I was pretty sure it wasn't just me.

I waited for 3 years to see them sell at list or below. Browning sat on them for some reason and didn't push their volume. I lost my baby 1911 lust in the meantime with all the Browning crap happening.

[GM4spd]

85% size is no good for me---- when there are other models that duplicate the
full size Govt 45. They cost less and they do work YMMV.

[danez71]

Reliable, shoots straight, easy to take down for cleaning.
Pricey but worth the money.
I waited and watched and finally got mine on sale for $499.

Unfortunately, only the G.I style model is approved for sale in CA.
They now have more modern style models with beavertail safeties and bigger sights.
You could order these as spare parts and install them if you wanted to.

The sights on the Black Label models don't fit the A1 models. As noted above, there aren't any sight upgrades for it. A shame, it is.


Ive read some are painting the front and opening up the rear a bit to get more light in the sight picture along the sides of the front sight. They say it makes a pretty good difference.

[ojisan]

Perhaps no bolt-ons but as long as you can get the pieces you can make it happen.
This is no different than customizing a full size GI 1911.
But, I agree, this would take custom hand and machine work.

Might be cheaper just to buy a slide ***'y from Browning.

[200Apples]

.
There are two on the CA Safe Guns Roster. Neither have decent sights, because they're a scaled-down version of the original G.I. sights which suck.

Like danez71 noted, I might carefully open up the rear sight gap. Key word is "carefully".

Other than the SIGHTS, it's a great little gun. With the exception of the blowback action, all the other bits are real 1911.

I have the shorter-barreled model; the one that is a Commander proportion. I removed the magazine disconnect (?) so now the trigger functions normally without having to have a mag inserted.

Last time I checked (over six months ago), Browning would not sell the combat sights they offer on the non-Roster Black Label version (which is also available in .380! WANT.) I'd also like to have a flat MSH.

Here it is next to a Gov't-sized Springfield.

[Kokak]

Although it's 85% size of a .45 ACP 1911, it's 100% fun to shoot!

This is the exact reason I did not get this one and opted for the SIG 1911-22. It is close to full size. To the point that it even accepts 1911 parts (not all parts) as well as full size 1911 grips.

If you can find one, I would advise getting it. It was made by GSG, like many of the 1911 22 clones are.