For the price of a good conversion kit you can buy a good .22; Buckmark, Ruger or the like.
.22lr conversion kits
- Thread starter Louchia
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I have no idea what these conversion kits cost and also no idea how good or accurate they are. I never thought to use one and, in my opinion, if you want to shoot a .22, go ahead and pay the extra bucks and buy a nice .22 caliber pistol. I personally know of some top bullseye shooters who've used Rugers. I have a modified High Standard. And a plus, you'll be adding to your collection. A win/win in my opinion.
I had the Kimber 1911 .22LR conversion. Blasted thing would not work on either of my Springfield frames. Functioned about 50% on my S&W 1911. Worked 100% on my cheap Firestorm 1911 as long as I used CCI Mini-Mags. I gave up and sold it. If you really want to shoot a 1911 in 22 long rifle, buy a GSG 1911. It costs the same as most conversions and actually works with most ammo.
I've got a Ciener Kit for my Hi-Power and factory kit for the Beretta 92.........Both have worked very well as training guns for wife and kids.....occasional FTF or jam (bulk ammo) are not bad for training purposes.
They are not a target guns by any means..... so a plinker for me............................clay or pop can at 15-20 yds not a real challange
Expensive vs a Ruger .22??? I guess the answer has to be ......yes.....
But I've put a mini-range bag (Bulldog IIRC) together for each.......with both .22 and 9mm uppers.....3/4 mags in each caliber...... 100rds of 9mm and 200-300 rounds of .22lr......... holster and mag holder for the 9mm version.
Trip to the cabin.....road trip........ just grab and go!!!!!!
I've hear nothing but good things about the CZ Cadet..... would love to find one.......
They are not a target guns by any means..... so a plinker for me............................clay or pop can at 15-20 yds not a real challange
Expensive vs a Ruger .22??? I guess the answer has to be ......yes.....
But I've put a mini-range bag (Bulldog IIRC) together for each.......with both .22 and 9mm uppers.....3/4 mags in each caliber...... 100rds of 9mm and 200-300 rounds of .22lr......... holster and mag holder for the 9mm version.
Trip to the cabin.....road trip........ just grab and go!!!!!!
I've hear nothing but good things about the CZ Cadet..... would love to find one.......
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I have a CMMG conversion kit for my AR-15 and it is fairly accurate and quite reliable you just have to keep it clean and feed it decent ammo, preferably with copper coated bullets. One advantange is that it is easy to install a supressor on an Ar-15 with its threaded muzzle and most .22 rifles with threaded barrels are a lot harder to find and a lot more expensive.
Have not seen the KART conversions mentioned. They are around and fit the 1911 frame. Quality product and will shoot with the Victor and S&W 41 (or better). KART still makes the top 45 Auto bbls for bullseye and general accuracy shooting.
the ringo kid
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The heck with a conversion kit, jest go ahead and buy a Rough Rider .22. No bother changing things-and these things are fun as hell to fire.
LouisianaJoe
Member
I have a Ciener kit for my Beretta 92. It is a good plinker. It has been a few years since I shot it.
I like them... just need to accept them for what they are.
I have many different conversions... mostly Ceiner...
one fixed sight 1911 Commander I talked my father into buying for pin shoots... has functioned great for decades...
one adjustable sight 1911 Commander I got as part of a fire sale... functions fine... a bit more accurate... but I need to replace the recoil spring...
a fixed sight for my Taurus 99... I have had the longest... flip the lever and change... so fast it is scary... love it...
but the most accurate one I have is a Marvel conversion for my 1911 full size... they send a factory target as proof with each conversion kit... 5 shot group can be covered by a nickel... 50 yards... far better than I can do... a true bulls-eye worthy pistol... not cheap but if you want accuracy this may be the one to research...
the main use of a conversion is trigger practice with your competition or carry gun... so just a 22 does not work for that... and yes... I have just plain old 22's as well... all fun... but like others have stated... the economy of it just does not work as well today...
I have many different conversions... mostly Ceiner...
one fixed sight 1911 Commander I talked my father into buying for pin shoots... has functioned great for decades...
one adjustable sight 1911 Commander I got as part of a fire sale... functions fine... a bit more accurate... but I need to replace the recoil spring...
a fixed sight for my Taurus 99... I have had the longest... flip the lever and change... so fast it is scary... love it...
but the most accurate one I have is a Marvel conversion for my 1911 full size... they send a factory target as proof with each conversion kit... 5 shot group can be covered by a nickel... 50 yards... far better than I can do... a true bulls-eye worthy pistol... not cheap but if you want accuracy this may be the one to research...
the main use of a conversion is trigger practice with your competition or carry gun... so just a 22 does not work for that... and yes... I have just plain old 22's as well... all fun... but like others have stated... the economy of it just does not work as well today...
I had a lot of bad luck with 22 conversions. I bought an elderly Colt conversion in a box with green insides, and it wouldnt shoot more than 50 rounds without the floating chamber freezing. Got another, newer one, and had the same thing happen. Then got a very expensive, almost new 22 Service Model ACE and it did the same thing. I swore off 22 conversions.
Last year I got a good deal on an Advantage Arms kit for a Glock 19 and a Kimber. Took the plunge. When I read the isntructions with the Advantage Arms which said to use CCI Mini-Mags, it worked like a charm. Have had several hundred rounds through it, and it's on a dedicated frame now.. The Kimber is picky: it works just fine on Colts and on military 45s, but not the Philippine guns. Currently looking for a cheap 45 to put it on as when it works, it is wonderful fun to shoot. Both are excellent trainers for new shooters, too.
Wish I had one of the really scarce ones for a Model 39.
Last year I got a good deal on an Advantage Arms kit for a Glock 19 and a Kimber. Took the plunge. When I read the isntructions with the Advantage Arms which said to use CCI Mini-Mags, it worked like a charm. Have had several hundred rounds through it, and it's on a dedicated frame now.. The Kimber is picky: it works just fine on Colts and on military 45s, but not the Philippine guns. Currently looking for a cheap 45 to put it on as when it works, it is wonderful fun to shoot. Both are excellent trainers for new shooters, too.
Wish I had one of the really scarce ones for a Model 39.
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I have one of the Kimber units on a E series Smith, and it works fine. How come it won't work on the RIA?
Rock185
US Veteran
I admit to liking conversion kits. I've had three different type kits for the 1911 and one for the FN/Browning Hi Power. None displayed the reliability of my relatively inexpensive Ruger 22/45 pistol. Only one rivaled the accuracy of the 22/45. I've also had 9MM and 38 Super kits for the 1911. I didn't install the 38 Super kit, but did use the 9MM kit. Reliability with that one was not something you'd want to bet your life on. Others, using different manufacturer's 22 kits, have reported better results than I had.....
Match .22 conversions on 1911s are excellent--but they require a little care and tinkering to ensure reliability. Everything from selecting the right mainspring and recoil spring, to proper tension on the recoil guide rod (which screws into the upper and locates the entire upper relative to the lower frame).
A lot of guys buy them and expect them to be just like running a Ruger, but they're not, and they're not designed to be.
Recoil-operated 1911 conversions are...eh. I never saw the point, but I reload.
How useful a .22LR conversion is to you depends on what you want to use it for, and what you expect to get out of it.
A lot of guys buy them and expect them to be just like running a Ruger, but they're not, and they're not designed to be.
Recoil-operated 1911 conversions are...eh. I never saw the point, but I reload.
How useful a .22LR conversion is to you depends on what you want to use it for, and what you expect to get out of it.
DWalt
Member
I have an EAA .22 conversion unit for my 1911. It's a little finicky regarding ammunition (It doesn't like the cheaper bulk pack Remington ammo), but it generally works OK with better quality stuff, especially standard velocity loads.. I don't use it very often, definitely not match grade. But I didn't pay much for it either, as I remember, less than $100 at some gun show in the past. I have never owned a Ciener .22 conversion, but I have heard some not-so-flattering stories about them. Maybe more recent ones have eliminated those problems.
I think one would be better off just buying a good-quality used .22 auto, such as a Ruger. I think the main advantage of a .22 conversion unit is that no paperwork is involved in buying one.
I think one would be better off just buying a good-quality used .22 auto, such as a Ruger. I think the main advantage of a .22 conversion unit is that no paperwork is involved in buying one.
stykshooter
Member
I like .22 conversion kits and have several. I have a Ceiner for my 1911's, an Advantage Arms for my Glock 17/22's and a CMMG for my AR. I don't buy them so much for ammunition savings as I do for the ability to shoot them in my back yard. I can shoot limited center fire out back where I live but if I wanted to run several hundred rounds of .223 through a rifle one afternoon, I imagine I would get on several neighbors nerves. I can shoot the .22's, and especially if I shoot between my garage and barn, and you can barely hear them from the road.
The least favorite and dependable is the Ceiner. My Advantage Arms probably has 5-6 thousand rounds through it and it runs like a champ. I have probably had less than 20 malfunctions through it and most of those can be attributed to the ammo. I usually run mini mags or auto match though the conversions. My favorite is the CMMG along with a 1/2 dozen Black Dog magazines. It runs 100% with mini mags and is accurate enough to bust clay pigeons at 100 yards.
I really like the ability to go out back and run through some holster drills, shoot some steel and just generally have some fun, without having to load up and drive to the range.
The least favorite and dependable is the Ceiner. My Advantage Arms probably has 5-6 thousand rounds through it and it runs like a champ. I have probably had less than 20 malfunctions through it and most of those can be attributed to the ammo. I usually run mini mags or auto match though the conversions. My favorite is the CMMG along with a 1/2 dozen Black Dog magazines. It runs 100% with mini mags and is accurate enough to bust clay pigeons at 100 yards.
I really like the ability to go out back and run through some holster drills, shoot some steel and just generally have some fun, without having to load up and drive to the range.
I had one to, and what a super accurate conversion .22lr it was
I have not shot a better .22 pistol before or after. It did like a little stiffer ammo
but not necessarily "Mini Mag" or "Stinger"
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I have not purchased a conversion kit, however I did succumb to the temptation to buy a .22 LR version of a SIG pistol, a Mosquito. Unfortunately I found it to be unreliable with anything less than premium ammunition (e.g., CCI Mini-Mag), and with mediocre accuracy at best. The feeding issues diminished with use, but the accuracy never improved.
For me, .22 LR is capable of superb accuracy at relatively low cost. Since it has low recoil, it is an excellent tool for introducing beginners to the art of shooting, including stance, sight alignment and trigger control. What it doesn't do is provide any useful training in the manual of arms for a center fire pistol, despite any superficial resemblance.
In order to achieve an high degree of accuracy, a dedicated .22 pistol will have a barrel rigidly attached to the frame, as well as the rear sights. It will also have a finely tuned trigger.
Despite the fixed barrel, my Mosquito has poor accuracy, which I attribute to the slide-mounted sights and rough, heavy trigger. Many of these attributes are found in conversion kits as well.
You get better results from relatively inexpensive .22 LR plinkers, like the Ruger, Buckmark and others. At the other end of the scale there are precision works of gunsmithing art in the S&W 41, Colt Woodsman and High Standard pistols. With them, you can aspire to the quarter-sized groups at 25 yards of the master marksmen, instead keeping them in the black (or on the paper). After 50 years of lusting and procrastination, I now have a classic K-22 Masterpiece (c1954).
Now if only the quality of ammunition had maintained the same standards.
For me, .22 LR is capable of superb accuracy at relatively low cost. Since it has low recoil, it is an excellent tool for introducing beginners to the art of shooting, including stance, sight alignment and trigger control. What it doesn't do is provide any useful training in the manual of arms for a center fire pistol, despite any superficial resemblance.
In order to achieve an high degree of accuracy, a dedicated .22 pistol will have a barrel rigidly attached to the frame, as well as the rear sights. It will also have a finely tuned trigger.
Despite the fixed barrel, my Mosquito has poor accuracy, which I attribute to the slide-mounted sights and rough, heavy trigger. Many of these attributes are found in conversion kits as well.
You get better results from relatively inexpensive .22 LR plinkers, like the Ruger, Buckmark and others. At the other end of the scale there are precision works of gunsmithing art in the S&W 41, Colt Woodsman and High Standard pistols. With them, you can aspire to the quarter-sized groups at 25 yards of the master marksmen, instead keeping them in the black (or on the paper). After 50 years of lusting and procrastination, I now have a classic K-22 Masterpiece (c1954).
Now if only the quality of ammunition had maintained the same standards.
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