A 1911 22LR

[Ripon83]

My next purchase will be a 1911 22 so I can shoot more and have the size feel of the larger caliber guns. Now I know there are several threads on here about various models and some are not CA approved, but some are and I'm not opposed to a decent deal in the market place on used guns.

I was leaning towards a Chiappia that would have a trigger job, new barrel and chamber feed improvement done by a 3 rd party.....gun / improvements would be less then $525.

Anyone have some good options for me on this one?

[Ricky-Ray]

How about getting a 1911 in 45acp and then getting a 22 conversion kit for it? That's what I did. Get the best of both worlds with the same gun.

[Ripon83]

Intriguing

A good thought.....I do think about that.....but was under the impression they did not shoot as well. Though I have not researched them yet in much detail. I favor 22's that are like larger caliber guns so I can shoot more and let my wife carry outdoors. We enjoy a large propery in NV and carry there....I was going to have her learn the 1911 in place of a revolver she's ready to move on from.

How about getting a 1911 in 45acp and then getting a 22 conversion kit for it? That's what I did. Get the best of both worlds with the same gun.

[Ricky-Ray]

I have the SA Milspec 1911 and I bought a Kimber 22 conversion kit for it. Both shoot straight. No issues with mine.

[MongooseV8]

I have a Rock Island Armory 45 1911 that shoots great, and a Kimber conversion slide that shoots even better. I can shoot tiny groups, and can hit an orange at about 40 yards every shot with Blazer. It also likes to shoot MiniMags. Im into the whole setup about $800, but I have a 45 as well.....

[Furncliff]

This might be an option for you. It would be my choice.

http://www.marvelprecision.com/unit1.php

[pennys dad]

I have been considering this optino. I have 2 SA 9mm 1911 would a conversion kit work on these?

[royTheRidgeback]

Have you considered getting a Ruger Mark III 22/45? They make greater trainers for 1911-style pistols. I went this route before buying myself a SA Loaded. My only gripe with it was that although it has a 1911 style grip, it is not as thick as a normal 1911. To counter this, I ordered some custom made grips from a guy on TechTeach (he's found on other gun forums).

Here's a video of his grips and how to install them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRkiSlXdrKM

[Chief-7700]

http://www.bobmarvelcustomguns.com/22-conversion.html

[Ricky-Ray]

I have been considering this optino. I have 2 SA 9mm 1911 would a conversion kit work on these?

The Kimber conversion kit works on my SA without issues. It runs about $300. I can bring my to the next shoot and you can try it for yourself.

[DaveFJ80]

I thought about a .22LR conversion for my Kimber, but the ones I saw were all around the $300 range. Instead, I just picked up a GSG 1911 .22LR dedicated handgun for $360 shipped, did the single-shot conversion and enjoy using 2 separate guns now at the range. The size and feel is exactly the same between the two, only that the GSG is a little bit lighter and the recoil difference between the two guns are completely different.

As for the Chiappia, check out the 1911 forums or RimfireCentral for some pictures and reviews of the Chiappia next to the GSG. IMO, from what I've personally seen with both guns, the Chiappia is crap compared to the GSG in quality, and that the GSG is much more like a "normal 1911 .45" in terms or size, material, and parts used.


Just a couple of side by side comparison pics of my GSG and my Kimber TLE. Size & feel is exactly the same between the two guns.

[Ripon83]

It looks like some of the conversion kits run around the same price as the low end GSG, Chiappia etc. The Chiappia was an option for me because I'm familiar with someone that does improvements to the gun and thinks they are great to work on - and make great. By itself with no improvements the GSG would be a better option. I'm curious what Marvel charges for his conversions - I couldn't find pricing on his web site.

[xxINKxx]

Does the .22 conversions like the kimber put excessive wear and tear on your 1911? I mean you can shoot alot of 22s in just a day. I shoot a whole box of 550 sometimes in 1 range session with my other 22s. Since its fun and easy to shoot.

It would take me months to shoot over 500 rounds in .45 and alot of money.

But turners has the kimber 22 kit in stock, so technically it would be alot easier to buy that for my custom II rather then dealing with buying and drosing a new gun.

[Ricky-Ray]

Does the .22 conversions like the kimber put excessive wear and tear on your 1911? I mean you can shoot alot of 22s in just a day. I shoot a whole box of 550 sometimes in 1 range session with my other 22s. Since its fun and easy to shoot.

It would take me months to shoot over 500 rounds in .45 and alot of money.

But turners has the kimber 22 kit in stock, so technically it would be alot easier to buy that for my custom II rather then dealing with buying and drosing a new gun.

I'm no expert but I don't think so. With the 22 conversion kit your changing out the entire slide, your only using your original frame. The mags would be different too.

[MongooseV8]

And the Kimber slide is aluminum so if anything the slide will wear out long before the frame. Not to mention there are 1911s that have a gazillion 45acp rounds through them and they are still kicking but.