Marvel Unit 2 conversion kit

[pklin1297]

Tried the kit today. Prior to the shoot I cleaned and lightly oiled the kit per instructions, and also disassembled the bags and cleaned and dry-lubed them also. I shot the session with CCI mini mag 40gr round nose as suggested...

Initially, I had failures to feed where either the nose hits the barrel hood, or the previous round would extract but the slide would not move back far enough to pick up the next round.

Originally I thought maybe it was the Promag magazines that I picked up when I bought the kit (they had great reviews), but it was doing this with the factory GSG 5 magazine that came with the kit also.

I went through about 100 rounds of the CCI and 50 rounds of Remington Thunderbolts. Eventually I got fed up and stopped shooting the kit because I was getting FTFs (slide would not move back far enough to chamber next round) on every round.

I also brought my new Advantage Arms Glock kit to try today so I decided to move to this since I was getting frustrated with the Marvel. First round out of the kit I had a round that failed to chamber when the nose hit the barrel hood. After clearing that, I shot 50+ rounds of the same CCI mini mag before I had another FTF (next round did not chamber). After clearing this malfunction, I shot the rest of the session without another failure. Needless to say, I was having a lot more fun shooting this AA glock kit. By the way, this AA kit was an used (barely used) kit when I bought it, and I got three mags with it, which all functioned well.

Regarding the Marvel, I already have an 18-lb. mainspring in my 1911 so I don't think that could've been the problem, but I did notice that when the Marvel slide was moving back to reset the hammer, it was having a tougher time. Moving far enough back to cock the hammer is easy, but then the next bit of movement more in order to chamber the next round is not that easy, not sure if this makes sense. I am going to polish the hammer where it contacts the kit more, but beyond this I'm not sure what else to do to correct the FTF problem...

I haven't given up on the Marvel kit yet, because when it did function, it was very accurate (the AA kit was on par accuracy wise, which to say was very good). I will have to go try this kit again, but if you guys can offer any solution regarding the FTF problem, please let me know... Thanks much!

[sofbak]

I have a marvel kit for an SA 1911 and had issues with Failure to Extract, Failure to Feed, and even had it fire with the round about 1/8" out of battery that iginited the cartride in the mag below.

For the FTF problem, mine seemed to solve on three changes:

1. Marvel sent me a metal mag (colt ace type) and said "don't use the plastic one."

2. Oil the slide grooves instead of grease.

3. Switch ammo. I tried mini-mags, aguila super extra, wolf match, and winchester of some sort. All had FTF issues at least once in every 10 rnd mag-even with the ace mage they gave me. So, out of desperation, I tried............remington golden bullets.

I bought a box of the "new and improved" 36 gr. hollow points at wally world, and found an old box of the 40 gr round nose to try as well. Both of these rounds ran through that kit like water through a sieve. After three or four mags worth of slow fire, I tried the rapid spray and pray as fast as I could just to see if I could make it jam. NO FTFs, no FTEs, not a singel hiccup through any of them.

the marvel kits are a little tight on clearances, so they need to be burnished in with fire-cycling, but for whatever reason, mine really likes the rem GBs so thats what I'm feeding it for the next 1000 rnds or so.....

HTH

[jyo]

22s are notorious for being picky little bastards---22 conversion units seem to be more so---but find the "right" ammo, and it all seems to come together. My pistol is an older SIG P210-2 9mm that I bought a factory 22 conversion kit way back in the 80s---good thing I bought a couple of extra 22 magazines as these went thru the roof, price wise. The pistol has always shot well---very well, accurately wise---but wouldn't function well with anything except Rem. Golden Bullets---which worked all the time. After a break-in period, the gun started to work fine with CCI Mini Mags as well---I really haven't tried anything else as I have a large stash of these two. 22s are picky!

[redcliff]

I use Federal 525 Champion bulk pack ammo and metal magazines in my Unit 1 without issue.

[pklin1297]

I am hoping that the Marvel kit will do better after break-in also. Regardless, I still modified and mirror-polished the area of the hammer that contacts the kit to help the kit glide over it easier in its rearward movement, and I will be sure to oil the rails instead of just dry lube next time.

I wonder if the stinger ammo will help "expedite" the break-in period a bit? Really wish the problems will work itself out after a while.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions! I will only use high velocity ammo for now because Sheila from Marvel says the Unit 2 is a heavier slide than Unit 1 (Unit 1 only need to move part of the slide).

[sofbak]

I would call them back and specifically ask about the stingers before buying any. The stinger case is longer than standard .22LR, to provide room for a little more powder. Marvel chambers are tight, and the longer cases could cause more problems than they solve.

[pklin1297]

Thanks sofbak, I will definitely get in touch with them first.