During my travels recently I stopped in a gun shop known for high end shotguns. Not looking for a shotgun, just stretching my legs. In a rack of used pistols I found a little Browning 1911-22, with case and papers. For those not familiar it's a 85% scale model of the 1911A1 in 22 LR caliber. Looking it up on line I learned it was discontinued last year. I expect a lot of that had to do with the $600 suggested retail price. They were made in Utah from some sort of aircraft aluminium alloy, blow back action so does not lock up like a 1911, but all the controls are the same.

Finally got it to the range Friday. Trigger pull is a little stiff and the sights are everything you would expect scaled down 1911 sights to be. However it shot well when I focused and digested around 400 rds of a variety of ammo with no problems. I found it easier to shoot accurately than my Ruger SR-22 but not as easy as the Ruger MK1 6", I think that is the sights.

But it is a flat, light weight pistol that shoots well and has familiar controls. I can see this being a hiking companion once I find a suitable holster. When I saw the pistol was discontinued I promptly ordered a spare magazine, which functions flawlessly. So with the spare mag I have almost $350 in this little plinker but I felt that was reasonable with today's prices.

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They are a nice little pistol. I had one when they first came out. I loved the concept but mine didn’t like to make it through a magazine. Not sure if it was a magazine issue or just needed further break in but I got tired of watching me and my friends struggle with misfeeds. Glad yours is working properly, I think it’s a perfect sized .22 1911 and could make a great plinker!


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Discontinued? They're still on Brownings website.....

Not the scaled down 1911 copy. They have the 1911-22 Black Labels, which have different sights, grips and often grip safety. There is also the 1911-22 A1 which are full size 1911's in 22 LR.

I have one. Nice plinker and totally reliable. But it ain't no target grade gun.

You can make due with any holster for a colt government model 380 or mustang. My has one as her edc. She loves its and if she loves it she’ll carry it. Enjoy they are fun.

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all of the Browning 1911-22's ARE the scaled down version, Black Labels included. The compacts are the scaled down Commander.....

Ya hit da nail dead center on dat one.

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Thanks for the correction. I don't think I'd ever noticed these pistols before and misread the Browning web site. Now I'm hoping I can fine a 380 version in the same price range.

I bought pone last year. Wished I had known about the black label version. The sights on my basic one are lacking.
Great little gun though. So far it has not failed to digest everything I have fed it, including the cottage cheese container full of miscellaneous 22 ammo. High velocity or standard, it spits them out like clock work.
I cannot comment on the accuracy of the gun any further than to say it shoots minute of aluminum can at 50 feet pretty well.
OP keep shooting it. I was not happy with the trigger but was not going to invest time and money into trigger work on a commodity level plinker. After several hundred rounds it is improving. Not to the point of being good, but better.

A few follow-up facts:
The 1911-22 was designed as the 100 year commemorative edition of the famous 1911 design. Released in 2011 after some real effort in development to get the size and function accurate, the gun is manufactured near JMB’s birthplace, Ogden, Utah. There is a wonderful Browning Museum in Ogden that deserves hours of attention if you go.

Coincidentally, early in 2011 Utah became the first state to adopt a firearm as a state symbol. Guess which one? Utah native JMB’s 1911, although the distinction of the commemorative .22 edition was not noted, just the famous design.


I bought one right away, and although plastic grips were period correct, I upgraded mine to a nice pair made of walnut.

Great training gun. Even though it is close in scale, it feels very small in the hand. I use mine mainly for training grandchildren to shoot pistols.

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If I did not have a slew of 22 semi autos already I might possibly have bought one. 1911 platforms are my favorite Range guns (in all calibers). I have not personally handled or shot one of the Brownings however from what I have read, watched and seen, they seem to be pretty well thought of. Good luck with yours and good shooting!

Training grandkids was part of my justification for the purchase. Not that I usually try very hard to justify such purchases ;-D

For $350 I would own one too.

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