Kimber 22LR Conversion

[another41]

Purchased today at Cabelas. I could have purchased it for much less elsewhere but they(Cabelas) have a return/refund policy if I do not like it or it's defective. The other companies will not take returns if mounted and used. Obviously it must be used to be evaluated.

The quality is there. It fits the DK...went on like it came with the pistol. If it functions as good as it looks this is a keeper. Cabelas has 50+ reviews. Almost everyone gave it a 4.1/2 - 5 star positive rating.
I will post a range report this week.

 

[another41]

nicely packaged in a small plastic case

 

[MarshallDodge]

I have one that I put on my Custom Target. It's accurate and soft shooting but does not like standard velocity ammo and Federal Bulk. I have read that there are some aftermarket springs that will allow you to shoot the lighter stuff.

It does like Remington Bulk and I shot some Velocitors through it and was impressed with how flat they shot from the short barrel.

 

[another41]

I'm using Fed Champions, Fed 555, Remington Golden Bullets.
I'm ok if only a few hang ups here and there. I get Fail To's with the Model 41....I can handle it here. I'm only interested in buying/shooting bulk...we'll see how it goes. I'm informally plinking at 7-10 yards.

 

[MarshallDodge]

Remington Golden are the ones I have had success with.

 

[fyimo]

I looked at getting a Kimber conversion kit for my Colt Government and passed so maybe I should reconsider. I went with a Sig conversion kit for my P226 instead and so far I really like it.

 

[RightWinger]

I own a Kimber rimfire or target....not sure the exact name but its the 1911 in .22. I had the barrel spun down on a lath and had it threaded and was able to add another piece of stainless to it thus making an adapter that was threaded 1/2X28 for my suppressor and I must say its one of the more fun guns I have to shoot. My wife loves it, we can sit out on the porch and shoot walnuts off the trees at 6 in the morning and it is as quiet as shooting a BB gun.....actually not even as loud as a BB gun. If any of you have a suppressor, this is a great host gun for it.

 

[akjaeger]

I have one for my CDP.
It shoots good, but so far it only likes CCI mini- mags.

 

[TSQUARED]

Is the Kimber conversion unit made by Ciener?

 

[another41]

Is the Kimber conversion unit made by Ciener?

NO. I called Kimber last week. They said no. I would not have purchased the kit.

 

[another41]

I fired today. A few comments.
It likes Fed Champions & Fed Ammo Match. Would not accept Rem Golden Bullets. They would not chamber completely. I had to push the slide in manually. The problem was constant not intermittent.
The synthetic magazine is so so. I do not like it. I have to get used to it. It certainly is not a precision piece. It would not index. I had to push with a bit of force for it to seat in the frame. It kept slipping out of the grip. I'll try a different magazine. Also I'll call Kimber to discuss.

The accuracy is there. It's as good as the shooter. I have not fired my 1911DK much.... After about 100+ I was hitting pretty good. But nowhere like the Model 41 hits. I need some practice with the DK. It did feel good shooting 22's out of a 1911.
This conversion is not 100% in the respect that you will have to find the proper ammo.
I really wanted something than would run smoothly from the get go. I'll fire a few hundred more rounds and make a decision if I'm going to keep it or not. My first impression is Borderline
We'll see how it goes.

 

[perrazi]

if you want good accuracy from a 1911 with a 22 kit on it look at marvel. they are great shooters. not cheap,but the best usually isn't.

 

[TSQUARED]

I have the MArvel, Jarvis/Tactical Advantage and Ciener 22 conversion units for the 1911. If you want bullseye level accuracy then the Marvel is for you. The Jarvis is an all steel unit currently manufactured in an improved version by Tactical Solutions and has acceptable accuracy but not bulleye level. I purchased the Ciener Platinum Cup with adjustable sights and it has been very reliable with a wide variety of ammo, Accuracy is comparable to my Jarvis unit - althought the Ciener unit is much more difficult to take apart than the other two units.

 

[Old Corp]

Interesting posts. I too wanted a 1911 in .22 and did quite a bit of looking around. Was suprised at what a Colt Ace is worth these days.

IMO, the downfall of a conversion unit is that you take that original pistol out of service when you put the conversion kit on it. I wanted a dedicated .22. 1911. Saw a few cobbled together pieces on GB with Essex frames and all but the sellers were inordinately proud of them.

I decided to get a Kimber Target Rimfire. It took about 6 months to arrive. She's been to the range about 5 times now and has exceeded all expectations.

I just assumed it would 'ammo-finicky' from a few reports I'd read. In my example, that's not been true at all. I've tried promo ammo (copper-plated and not) from Federal, CCI (Blazer), PMC, Winchester (both the new 555/333 and a BUNCH of 20 y.o. Wildcats) and Remington. Actually the RP was not promo, it was the Golden Bullet stuff. (The last brick of RP Thunderbolt I bought, I ended up discarding 'cause the bullet was significantly larger in diameter than the case. Seating required a mallet, which is unadvisable....)
Tried Agula Super Maximum, CCI Stingers, Velocitors, RP Viper and so far I've not found anything HV that it will choke on. I have NOT tried any Standard Velocity stuff however.

Accuracy has been very good. I'm not a bullseye shooter, just a fan of 1911's that wanted something 'different' and fun to shoot. (and cheap)

I'll have to give Kimber 5 stars on mine......

 

[another41]

Back to range Thurs. I'm ok with using Selective ammo. The Feds seem to be ok and are available. The magazine is seating much better. I might remove the mag well.
I do like this kit. I'm going to give it a chance. Otherwise the DK will sit & get dusty. It's too nice of a pistol to sit on a shelf. To be continued.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I had an early (pre-Ciener) model. Fit and finish was VG and it shot decent but required high velocity ammo to get any kind of reliability with my SW 1911. Biggest gripes were the cheap ( as in quality not price!) mags.
Sold it off when I stumbled onto a deal on a used Marvel conversion. The Marvel has steel mags ( and is mostly blued steel.) It is much more reliable with target ammo. Accuracy is better too. Of course, it's about 50% more $ too. :-(

I keep it installed on one of my S&W 1911's all the time.

 

[another41]

This AM. Fired over 100rds of Federal AutoMatch. Flawless. No Hangups.
The issue with magazine not indexing.....The slide must be back for a loaded magazine to insert properly. The top round protrudes slightly. Just enough to not allow the magazine to engage. With the slide back...no problem.
Accuracy is on the shooter. If I concentrated and squeezed properly I was hitting/grouping very well (or let's say good enough for my ability). This kit is accurate.

So, a few adjustments have to be made to enjoy the Kimber Conversion.
1. The slide has to be back before inserting a loaded magazine. That goes for my S&W 1911DK....not sure about any other 1911's
2. Will not shoot every brand of 22LR's. Seems to like Federals so far.
3. Have to get use to the synthetic magazines

The Kimber Conversion is a quality set up and priced right. I'm keeping it and plan to use it as much as possibly. It will stay on the DK and become a dedicated 45/22. I might even have an action job to increase the fun. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Just a thought but you might try a Marvel magazine . These are all steel and VERY nice quality. Might even improve reliability .

FWIW, In my experience, once you find a .22 ammo that works for you in that gun, I'd stock up and never look elsewhere.

 

[another41]

Just a thought but you might try a Marvel magazine . These are all steel and VERY nice quality. Might even improve reliability .

FWIW, In my experience, once you find a .22 ammo that works for you in that gun, I'd stock up and never look elsewhere.

Thanks. Good suggestion. I might buy a few Marvel Mags.
I agree with stocking up on Functioning ammo.

I probably should have purchased the Marvel Conversion. But impatient me wanted a kit now. If I become unhappy with the Kimber I'll do the same thing you did. Thanks for giving your conversion a good recommendation. This helps future buyers.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Best place to hunt up a used Marvel is over @ rimfirecentral.
I got mine over there (with 4 mags, iron sight top, flat top and muzzle brake) for $325.
FWIW, here is mine on a dedicated S&W 1911 frame.