1911 conversion to 22lr, or 45ACP reloading bench?

[SgtMerc]

Greetings all.

I'm a new pistol owner and am in need of some insight and advice. I have owned my Kimber Custom II for about 3 months, and have run about 1200 rounds through her. I've been practicing every weekend that I wasn't on call, and shooting 45ACP FMJ is getting a bit expensive in comparison to how often I'd like to shoot/practice.

I've been considering getting the Kimber 22lr conversion kit but am concerned about failure rates and whether or not the conversion kit will allow me to practice effectively despite what is reported as less of a recoil.

My other option is to begin handloading my own ammunition. This would allow me to practice with full-power ammunition for approximately half of what i'm currently paying, albeit with a lot more labor involved.

I can see there are pros and cons to both methods. I'd like to know everyone's opinion, as well as support or arguments against either one.

Which would you purchase if you were in my position? Cheaper cost but more labor intensive? Virtually no labor, cheaper ammo, but reduced recoil/higher failure possibility? Possibly a third option that I'm overlooking?

I posted this previously on TheFiringLine with good responses, but considering that I mostly shoot at Richmond Rod and Gun, I figure this would also be a good way to meet local shooters who might be able to help me get set up (if i go reload).

[jonzer77]

I always recommend reloading!

I can make 1000/rds for about $130 and it doesn't take all that long. I was in this same position at this time last year when I bought my first 1911 and would rarely shoot it because it was about $3-4 dollars a magazine. Luckily my gf bought me a single stage press for xmas and I learned a lot and eventually stepped up to a progressive and the rest was history lol.

The other benefit to hand loaded ammo is the increased accuracy of your ammo.

[ns3v3n]

+1 on reloading, .45acp is pretty easy to load for and pretty forgiving. Look into it, browse the reloading section on this forum and ask questions.

[Snoopy47]

When I go to the range I always take more than one gun.

One of those guns is always a 22. That way, I can mix it up and not fatigue as fast while still working on the basics of shooting, and trying to coach myself.

So I agree, you are right, shooting a 45 is not shooting a 22. So simply getting a conversion kit won't get to all the way where you want to be with your 45 practice.

However, having a 22 is a great way to take it down a notch and make sure you are still shooting correctly, and it's easier to observe your mistakes.

I do both. I reload 45, and shoot a lot of 22.

Today for instance was 100 rounds of 22, and 200 rounds of 45ACP.

For some people reloading isn't for them. What's cool about that is USED presses are out there for good deals.

It will take a little while to zero in on what you like in a round, a round that feeds well, and shoots well.

When realoading the cost of loading 9mm verses 45mm is nominal. So I've basically stopped reloading 9mm all together, and shoot A LOT of 45 now. Remember the most expensive part is the BRASS. So once you recycle that all the other parts cost just about the same for any pistol round.

[jonzer77]

When I go to the range I always take more than one gun.

One of those guns is always a 22. That way, I can mix it up and not fatigue as fast while still working on the basics of shooting, and trying to coach myself.

So I agree, you are right, shooting a 45 is not shooting a 22. So simply getting a conversion kit won't get to all the way where you want to be with your 45 practice.

However, having a 22 is a great way to take it down a notch and make sure you are still shooting correctly, and it's easier to observe your mistakes.

I do both. I reload 45, and shoot a lot of 22.

Today for instance was 100 rounds of 22, and 200 rounds of 45ACP.

For some people reloading isn't for them. What's cool about that is USED presses are out there for good deals.

It will take a little while to zero in on what you like in a round, a round that feeds well, and shoots well.

When realoading the cost of loading 9mm verses 45mm is nominal. So I've basically stopped reloading 9mm all together, and shoot A LOT of 45 now. Remember the most expensive part is the BRASS. So once you recycle that all the other parts cost just about the same for any pistol round.

Excellent advice.....I forgot about brass in my calculation. Start picking up your brass now and any that you can get your hands on. Also there are plenty of helpful calgunners in the area that will assist you with reloading.

[Munny$hot]

The Kimber .22 conversion is excellent and using Federal Auto Match 325 or Federal 525 bulk I never had any failures w/ 3000 rounds fired so far. Remington gold and Winchesters I have had several FTF and FTE. The good thing about using Remington and Winchester is you get to practice failure/clearing drills.

[Snoopy47]

Excellent advice.....I forgot about brass in my calculation. Start picking up your brass now and any that you can get your hands on. Also there are plenty of helpful calgunners in the area that will assist you with reloading.

Also, don't BUY brass. Don't go on e-bay and BUY 1,000 cases. IF you shoot enough at public ranges you will always have more than enough chances to pick up brass from those that don't reload.

I've got to a point now where I HOLD myself back from picking up everything I see. I just don't have sortage space anymore, and now I simply don't even care if I lose 20% of what I shoot. Now, if you shoot 10mm or 357Sig that's another story, but if you shoot 9,40,45 then there will always be brass.

Also, I end up losing brass faster than I can load it so many times it's unloadable anymore.

[lwlaml]

Reload.

Aside from the clear value of reloading your cases and being able to shoot for much less money, you'll learn and master a very valuable skill. The abundance of ammunition and ease of access to it that we enjoy today may not always be this way. If you had the tools and knowledge, all you need are raw materials and you'll always have ammo.

Anyway, I'm also a fan of having a .22. I bought my son a GSG 1911 .22 and we always take it to the range along with .45s and 9mm.

[thenodnarb]

Even if the kimber conversion is high quality, I would opt for a ruger 22/45 over the conversion.

Its a tough decision actually. Ultimately you'll want both. If money is an issue, I suppose I'd get the .22 first. Better to have a second gun, especially a .22 over reloading equipment.
As a compromise, you could get the 22/45 AND get a lee classic reloading kit. They only cost about as much as a set of dies, and apparently they aren't any slower to reload than a single stage press would be. Check it out on youtube. It would be a great way to get into reloading, and you could add the gear you want as you get money(like powder dropper to replace scoop, press and dies to replace the lee loader dies etc).

[Fishslayer]

Which would you purchase if you were in my position? Cheaper cost but more labor intensive? Virtually no labor, cheaper ammo, but reduced recoil/higher failure possibility? Possibly a third option that I'm overlooking?

My first handgun was a .45ACP and the idea of a conversion kit never entered my mind. This was 2008 and I knew I would be reloading. During the Great Ammo Drought it wasn't a matter of expensive ammo. It was a matter of finding any at all.

.45ACP is one of the easiest/safest rounds to start reloading with. It's a low pressure round and somewhat forgiving of minor errors. Brass is plentiful and anywhere from dirt cheap (used) to free (range pickups). Most will tell you that you'll lose a .45ACP case before you wear it out.

With a reloading bench you can also branch out into other calibers that would otherwise be too expensive to shoot. You can also tailor your ammo to your needs.
I started on a Lee Classic Turret going on 3 years ago & am now into .45ACP, .38/.357 Magnum and 9mm.

As for cost, you will save no money. You will shoot twice as much with better quality ammo that is built the way YOU like it.

EDIT: Oh yeah. As for the .22. Just get a Ruger 22/45. You won't be sorry.

[1nickatnite1]

Get both. I got the advantage arms kit for my colt and started reloading. Now I can shoot remington golden bullets for $0.03/rd and then switch to my reloads for about $0.11/rd. Reloading saves you $ and its theraputic (for me). Good luck

[DannyInSoCal]

Reload.

Why spend any money on shooting 22L through your 1911 if it's always going to be running .45 when/if you need to use it...?

[wikidklown]

Get both. I got the advantage arms kit for my colt and started reloading. Now I can shoot remington golden bullets for $0.03/rd and then switch to my reloads for about $0.11/rd. Reloading saves you $ and its theraputic (for me). Good luck

+1

I also have the advantage arms kit and runs really well with RGB and fed .22 bulk ammo. with my TLE. I use it a lot for practice and have improve my shooting in .4ACP mode. Very easy conversion.

I love Kimbers but hate their .22 conversion kit. I've had nothing but FTE and short cycling with the one I had.
BTW, 22/45 or GSG1911 is also a great route for you as the advantage arms kit is as much, if not cost more than the latter.

[rsrocket1]

Agree with the others who say reloading.
You will never get the true feeling of the 1911 unless you shoot real loads through it. If you want to practice trigger control, use snap caps or dry fire. Otherwise, you'll probably still be flinching when you convert back from .22.

By reloading, you can tailor your loads to shoot mid range loads which will still kick, but won't beat up your hands after 200 rounds like military hardball loads. I noticed that once I got comfortable shooting the 1911, switching back and forth from mid range practice loads to full power loads didn't affect my shooting style at all.

Now I've started to cast my boolits which brings my cost down to $0.07/round with paid for lead. If I can scrounge the lead, I can get it down to $0.04 which is close to 22lr.

[beerman]

Reload my friend,reload. One other point in favor of the roll your own argument is ability to buy and shoot cheaply any damn gun you happen to run across in the future. 40,9,380,44mag .You name it. During the ammo shortage a few years back,us reloaders were still blasting as usual. Also I would want a dedicated 22,over a conversion. I dont like dissasembling my guns at the range...just me. Good luck with whichever way you go.