[GUNS] 22 conversion on a 1911

[Fastguy]

One of my favorite guns to shoot is my S&W 1911. However the cost and scarcity of .45 has had me looking into a .22 conversion.
I was looking through Palmetto State Armory's page and came across this.

GSG .22LR 1911 Conversion Kit w/ 10rd Magazine GER1911CONV - Conversion Kits - Handgun Parts - Accessories (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/accessories/handgun-parts/conversion-kits/gsg-22lr-1911-conversion-kit-w-10rd-magazine-ger1911conv.html)

I figured for $150, I'd give it a shot.
It comes with a completely assembled slide and a 10 round magazine.
Unlike the 45 slide, you don't have to do any assembly.
You field strip your 45 slide (remove your barrel bushing, front spring and plunger, pop the take down lever) Installation is even easier. You install the slide and the takedown lever, that's it.
I took it to the range and had a few failure to feed and I realized it was the low velocity target ammo I was using coupled with the fact that I didn't oil the new slide.
I went back a few days later with some Remington Thunderbolt ammo and frshly oiled frame. It performed flawlessly.
I am not in love with the yellow dot sights, but they look easy enough to change. On a bench rest, it is fairly accurate, Offhand, not so much. I am not used to shooting a 22 with such a heavy trigger. Overall, a decent plinker for the money.


http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/CAM00461_zpse720ee5c.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/CAM00460_zpsdc712036.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/saltysearay/CAM00459_zps4bee881e.jpg

I dig the tri-tone look.

[Jeff '79]

So that was originally a .45 but you converted it to a .22?
If so, for ammo cost savings reasons for target shooting?

[Fastguy]

Mostly ammo cost and shooting plinking targets. To swap the 45 slide back on takes a minute or so.

[Jeff '79]

Mostly ammo cost and shooting plinking targets. To swap the 45 slide back on takes a minute or so.

Ahh...
It does look cool...:yesnod:

[JRD77VET]

Good to hear it worked decent. How many pounds is your trigger?

My Springfield 1911-A1 is a perfectly crisp 4.5 lbs ( carry weapon, can't be too light )

[Norm]

I like that...........hummmmmm

[Rapid Roger]

One of my favorite guns to shoot is my S&W 1911. However the cost and scarcity of .45 has had me looking into a .22 conversion.
I was looking through Palmetto State Armory's page and came across this.

GSG .22LR 1911 Conversion Kit w/ 10rd Magazine GER1911CONV - Conversion Kits - Handgun Parts - Accessories (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/accessories/handgun-parts/conversion-kits/gsg-22lr-1911-conversion-kit-w-10rd-magazine-ger1911conv.html)

I figured for $150, I'd give it a shot.
It comes with a completely assembled slide and a 10 round magazine.
Unlike the 45 slide, you don't have to do any assembly.
You field strip your 45 slide (remove your barrel bushing, front spring and plunger, pop the take down lever) Installation is even easier. You install the slide and the takedown lever, that's it.
I took it to the range and had a few failure to feed and I realized it was the low velocity target ammo I was using coupled with the fact that I didn't oil the new slide.
I went back a few days later with some Remington Thunderbolt ammo and frshly oiled frame. It performed flawlessly.
I am not in love with the yellow dot sights, but they look easy enough to change. On a bench rest, it is fairly accurate, Offhand, not so much. I am not used to shooting a 22 with such a heavy trigger. Overall, a decent plinker

I dig the tri-tone look.

Here's a pic of the conversion I use with my series 70 Gold Cup.Do you have a pic of all the other parts.Site only shows the slide and the mag...:)
http://i46.tinypic.com/2rp91kl.jpg

[Fastguy]

That's the beauty of it, those are all the parts: slide assembly and takedown lever.
You don't need to disasseble the 22 slide like the 45 slide.

[JRD77VET]

That's the beauty of it, those are all the parts: slide assembly and takedown lever.
You don't need to disasseble the 22 slide like the 45 slide.

So the slide assembly is the barrel, the lighter spring and the bushing. Just switch the slide assembly, insert a loaded mag and it's ready?

[Fastguy]

That's it, just three parts, slide, lever and magazine. It also comes with a firing pin assembly for a series 80 colt.

[Ol Timer]

I got a Wilson Combat conversion kit several years ago for the same reason. Now, .22 LR are getting hard to find!

[bsmith]

I gave up after a couple months of looking for a .22 conversion for my Kimber.

[VITE1]

I gave up after a couple months of looking for a .22 conversion for my Kimber.

Why? It's in their catalog?
Kimber America > Products (http://store.kimberamerica.com/Products/tabid/67/CategoryID/15/Default.aspx)


I see they have one for 3" as well this year. I have not seen the smaller one on-line yet. Once I do I am buying it.

[Fastguy]

I gave up after a couple months of looking for a .22 conversion for my Kimber.

Stainless is out of stock, but blued isn't.

Kimber Rimfire Target Conversion Kit - Black 1100043 - Conversion Kits - Handgun Parts - Accessories (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/accessories/handgun-parts/conversion-kits/kimber-rimfire-target-conversion-kit-1100043.html)

[bsmith]

Why? It's in their catalog?
Kimber America > Products (http://store.kimberamerica.com/Products/tabid/67/CategoryID/15/Default.aspx)


I see they have one for 3" as well this year. I have not seen the smaller one on-line yet. Once I do I am buying it.

Stainless is out of stock, but blued isn't.

Kimber Rimfire Target Conversion Kit - Black 1100043 - Conversion Kits - Handgun Parts - Accessories (http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/accessories/handgun-parts/conversion-kits/kimber-rimfire-target-conversion-kit-1100043.html)

I need the compact. 3".
I should have mentioned that. :lol:

[VITE1]

I need the compact. 3".
I should have mentioned that. :lol:

I saw it listed in the new catalog. I have to call and find out when it's available.

[Fastguy]

I would be surprised if they made a 3" version. The demand probably isn't high and the ability of a short barrel to generate enough velocity to move the slide, cock the hammer and eject the casing is diminished.

[Joecooool]

Are the 22's cheaper that reloading your own 45 brass? When I shot 45's competitively I think I had my round (powder primer bullet) price down to about 15 cents a piece.

[Fastguy]

Are the 22's cheaper that reloading your own 45 brass? When I shot 45's competitively I think I had my round (powder primer bullet) price down to about 15 cents a piece.

It is hard to find components. I haven't started reloading 45 yet, but when I was buying cases of 5,000 rounds of 22 for under $200, they came out to be about 3-4 cents a round. Commercial 45 is around 50 cents a round right now.

[VITE1]

I would be surprised if they made a 3" version. The demand probably isn't high and the ability of a short barrel to generate enough velocity to move the slide, cock the hammer and eject the casing is diminished.

Like I said the Last Kimber catalog announced a 3" version since their Ultra II and other 3" sell so well. I have not seen it listed on Their website but once it is I will buy it.