[palerider1775]

1911 .22 Conversion Kits; Suggestions?

Hey all. I'm looking into buying a .22 conversion kit for a 1911, so I can get more trigger time (when comparing the cost and availability of .22 to .45) and make it easier/more enjoyable for my non-gun friends to learn pistol safety, functioning, and marksmanship.

I've had my eyes set on Kimber's "target conversion kit", but the fact that it doesn't have last shot hold open for the slide makes me wonder if there's something else out there that's just as good, cost about as much, and that has the last shot hold open function.

I'm definitely willing to look at other options. And it'll be a plus if you share your personal experience with these. So, any tips?

 

[FCAGuro]

Take a look at Advantage Arms or Tactical Solutions.

A friend has an AA kit for his Glock and it seems to work well., last round BHO too.

 

[palerider1775]

Take a look at Advantage Arms or Tactical Solutions.

A friend has an AA kit for his Glock and it seems to work well., last round BHO too.

That Advantage Arms website says "Due To Overwhelming Backorders, Advantage Arms is Temporarily Not Selling 1911 Conversion Kits." Well, I guess I can write them off for now.

The Tactical Solutions conversion seemed like a viable option, even though its $130 more than the Kimber conversion, BUT....$75 for the TS mag?!?!?!??!?! You could buy real high quality .45 ACP 1911 mags for a fraction of that!

Kimber's conversion, with its $26 mag, is starting to seem more and more attractive...

 

[srt 10 jimbo]

I went and got a Chiappa arms Puma 1911-22 instead

 

[palerider1775]

I went and got a Chiappa arms Puma 1911-22 instead

So, anything I should know about it? Is it reliable, affordable, last shot hold open capable?

ETA: Oh, wait. That's a whole pistol, right? I'd rather just deal with a slide, barrel, and mag that's different.

 

[FCAGuro]

You get what you pay for. Many people use the TS kit as a competition rimfire gun for USPSA Steel Challenge...its that good. Probably more than what you need for just training/plinking though.

Marvel Conversion kits are suppose to be good as well although I've never shot one. http://www.marvelprecision.com/unit1.php

I've also tried a Ciener kit. Worked ok, but no BHO, and the guy isn't really known for his customer service.

 

[palerider1775]

You get what you pay for. Many people use the TS kit as a competition rimfire gun for USPSA Steel Challenge...its that good. Probably more than what you need for just training/plinking though.

Marvel Conversion kits are suppose to be good as well although I've never shot one. http://www.marvelprecision.com/unit1.php

I've also tried a Ciener kit. Worked ok, but no BHO, and the guy isn't really known for his customer service.

No, you're right. It's just that I'm really wanting that last shot hold open (the Marvel conversion doesn't have it, even though it costs as much as the Tactical Solutions conversion)

I've been searching a bit online since I saw the price on those Tactical Solution 1911 .22 mags, and I've actually found that MidwayUSA sells 'em for $55, which is a more aggreable price, even if it's still a little steep. I'll go think about it for a while longer, I guess. It's not like I can afford any of these right this second...

 

[PoliSciGuy]

I've had a Kimber Target conversion for almost five years now and have had zero problems with it. I think it was well worth the money. The only thing I would mention is that the slide is aluminum, so if you have use it on an aluminum framed 1911, it is going to be very, very light. I use it on my Kimber Tactical Custom II that has an aluminum frame, so it is very light, but that is part of the fun of it, too.

 

[palerider1775]

I've had a Kimber Target conversion for almost five years now and have had zero problems with it. I think it was well worth the money. The only thing I would mention is that the slide is aluminum, so if you have use it on an aluminum framed 1911, it is going to be very, very light. I use it on my Kimber Tactical Custom II that has an aluminum frame, so it is very light, but that is part of the fun of it, too.

Yeah. And from what I understand, that has a lot to do with why they don't make them last shot hold open capable. Something or other about excessive wear on the slide stop notch.

 

[themightytimmah]

Kimber Conversion Kit

Whoops, meant to send a PM instead.