My late Father had a Colt Ace .22 conversion unit for a 1911 that I have been having trouble with. He passed away in 1994 and he probably owned it for over 20 years, so I'm not sure how old it is. On right side it is marked Colt Service Model Conversion, with ACE in a diamond. Also says .22 Long Rifle Unit .22-.45. On left is Colt patent markings with no dates. On top in front of adjustable rear sight is marked U 81.It is not complete gun but slide/barrel assembly and magazine only. Bluing is about 98%.
I know there were a number of production runs of the Ace made. Can anyone tell me which one this is, and an approximate value?
Now the problem. When shot, it will not fully cycle slide to eject empty cartridge. I know it has a "floating chamber". Someone told me it is malfunctioning and I should soak the chamber in solvent. Is that a good idea, and what solvent? Thanks for the help!

I have no idea if what you have is a $$collectable but my experience w/ Colt .22 convertors is keep them clean or they will cease to function until you give them a good cleaning. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS....use a quality high speed ammunition. The cheap low quality bulk milk carton fodder will foul the mechanism quickly. With quality ammunition I have run a full brick through mine before cleaning.

If this convertor has any collector's value, and you want a .22 that handles like your 1911 you might be better off selling the convertor and buying a Ruger Mark III 22/45 (better accuracy.)

JUST AN ASIDE: Make sure you and any observers wear safety glasses when you shoot with the convertor. Mine would regularly throw lead shavings ..sometimes in my face.

If it has the floating chamber check to make sure it is free to slide back and forth a short distance, If it was fired a lot with out cleaning they often gunk up and freeze in place. If it does not move, give it a good soak in solvent until you can rotate the chamber insert and remove it for thorough cleaning.

The Colt Forum has experts that can help out. Enjoy it.

Does your unit have its sheet metal ejector? The extractor should pull the case out but the ejector well, it ejects the case. If that is missing then it can be ordered. Sorry I don't have your other answers. Mine is marked differently and appears to be from 1967. Make sure all the parts are there first.

Bruce

Do you need an instruction sheet?

Some of the Colt Ace's required the ejector being changed from a center fire ejector to one specially made for .22

I'm not sure if it's a sheet metal ejector. I'm fairly familiar with 1911s but these are a little different, as you know. I always got the impression from my Dad that this was a really old unit, but now I'm not so sure. It really isn't even mine, it belongs to my Mom, but a lot of Dads stuff is in my safe and I get to use it. At this point nothing is for sale, unless Mom wants to sell something, but I'd really like to get it shooting again. I think I'll soak the chamber in solvent. Any suggestions on a solvent?
Yes, I'd love to have an instruction sheet. Dad didn't have any of that stuff with it. What I'd really like to do is talk to him one more time. Lot's of stuff I'd love to ask him. Thanks.

The ejector on the Ace is a separate piece of steel. It is about 3" long with a hook on one end, then a twist in the middle with about another 1' plus which lays flat in the slide. The hook drops into a slot on the right side of the barrel in front of the barrel block as you are looking at it upside down. Without it cases will stay in your gun. Pm me your email and I will scan the four pages of the sheet that I have with mine.

Bruce

I shot the similar Colt Conversion Unit for many years.
Even fired an indoor Bullseye match or two with it.
Plated bullets worked best for me. Plain lead .22s would start the CCU malfunctioning with only a box fired.

There's one at a local shop , in excellent condition , in original box , tagged at $585.

You may get more information here:

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Have had a commercial unit since 1974. Some ammo will lock the chamber up in 25 rds. I have, on the other hand, had excellent luck with Federal 38 gr. HVHP which allows the chamber to still move freely after 2-300 or more rounds.

Most unplated lead ammo will foul the floating chamber in short order. The cleanest plated ammo I've found is the Remington "Golden Bullet." The Federal copper-plated rounds are awful and foul things up really quick. Be sure to thoroughly clean the floating chamber on the outside - any deposits there are trouble waiting to happen. Also scrub out the recess for the floating chamber in the barrel. The chamber should slide freely in and out when put into the barrel. Do NOT lubricate the floating chamber - that will only hasten unwanted deposits.

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Anyone here own a Colt ACE or 1911 .22 LR Colt Conversion Kit ? - Page 2 - 1911Forum

Post # 35, the ejector is lying inside the mainspring, in the picture. Not a great picture, but you can get an idea of what it looks like, and whether or not you have it.

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I always take precautions

With the "Ace" in the diamond & serial U81, you have a 2nd year production (1939) of the conversion unit. In 98% or better, with box & extra mag, they sell for 600.00 (approx). I lucked into one at the Louisville, Ky military show for 350.00, a great buy, Jim.