Had an opportunity to acquire a Kimber .22 conversion unit for a 1911. Comments on both Kimber's and Midway websites are mostly all positive. They do specify it does not work well on a Taurus 1911 as it is evidently not really mil-spec.

Anyone had any experience with them? I had a Ciener once and was not impressed with the accuracy, about angle of soda can accuracy. The Kimber looks very well made. I do assume it will take high velocity ammo to make it function best. I do have 6 or 7 different HV .22's on hand to test it with. It does seem to fit and function O K on both my Series 70 Gold Cup and my Springfield.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If accuracy is your main goal; You should get the Marvel conversion unit.

I believe the Kimber un it is or was made by Ciener. If you want bullseye level accuracy then the Marvel unit is your only choice. If you want good accuracy but not bullseye level then i would recommend the tactical Solutions unit - it is all steel and superbly engineered and machined.

I have a "Kimber" .22 cal conversion for my SA loaded Lt. Wt. I love it.

My personal Experience :

1. Ease of converting = GREAT.
2. Accuracy = Good ( but not = to a "target" gun. esp. past 10-15 yd.s )
3. Reliability = GREAT.( note below #4 ) Thousands of rnd.s through it & no prob.s
4. Adhere to their rec.s on ammo. ( good qual. high vel ammo only) I also recommend "full jacket" only.

The Proffesor

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RSO- Instr.

I have heard the fit can be hit or miss, I would suggest going to a more 1911 specific forum and looking them up there, I read a lot about them on those sights, and they all love the marvel

TRY HERE - The M1911 Pistols Organization Forums Site - Conversion Kits

IMHO, this site is purhaps the best. ( note they have a sction divotes to S&W )

The Proffesor

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RSO- Instr.

Last I looked, Marvel still ruled the roost for 1911 conversions. I had one of the early (pre-Ciener)Kimber conversions and it was OK. i.e minute of beer can accuracy out to 10-15 yds. It didn't like target velocity ammo though. The Marvel cost $100 more (used) but allows me to knock over beer cans ( or rams) at 100 yds!
Here it is with the flat top and dot sight on one of my S&W 1911's. I have the open /adjustable sight set up too but preffer this one.

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Dave

Hmmm...I had a Marvel Unit 2, which is not their "bullseye" version and more comparable to the Kimber or Ceiner. I seem to have had better accuracy than mentioned here for the Kimber. Not S&W 41 accurate, but pretty darn good.

It was ammo sensitive, however -- both to brand and whether or not it was hollow-pointed. CCI round nose Minimags are the fodder of choice for finicky conversions, and that was true here...although it shot Rem GB HP bulk pack very well, despite that brand's lowly reputation and the fact that it choked on any other HP.

And the lack of a slide hold open bothered me more than I thought it would. Some love 1911 22 conversions, but I ended up with the "buy a dedicated 22 pistol" crowd in the end.

I own and have used the original Colt, Ciener, Jarvis, Tactical Solutions and Marvel units.
Colt unit is a plinker with a floating chamber which requires frequent cleaning. All steel with slide locking back after firing the last round.

Ciener unit has functioned flawlessly with anything from SV Rem Traget to Rem Golden. Plinking level accuracy good for steel plate shoots. All aluminum construction, slide does not lock back after firing the last round. Plus is their 15 round magazines.

Jarvis unit is an all steel unit designed for HV ammo and slide does lock back after firing the last round. Intermediate level accuracy. No longer manufactured. Prefers Remington Golden or CCI MiniMag ammo for reliable functioning.

Tactical Solutions is an improved version of the Jarvis unit all steel superbly engineered and crafted. My unit will function (depending on frame) with SV Remington Target as well as Fed HV HP bulk pack, Rem Golden or CCI MiniMags. Intermediate level accuracy. Slide locks back after firing the last round.

Marvel, I believe I have Unit#1 which was designed for bullseye pistol shooters. Superbly accurate and totally reliable with standard velocity ammunition. Requires a heavier recoil spring to function with HV ammo. Slide is aluminum and does not lock back after firing the last round. On some 1911 frames I have been able to use it with Ciener 15 round mags.

I have not used the Advantage Arms 1911 unit but have the AA unit for a Glock 17. Aluminum slide with a steel insert screwed into one side to permit slide to stay open after firing the last round. In understand that the screws can loosen and allow the insert to fall out. Intermediate level of accuracy and only functioned reliably with Remington Golden or CCI MiniMag ammo.

In all my tests with 22 conversion units for 1911's I found that the individual unit to frame fit, weight of the hammer spring, as well as ammo choice determined reliability and could not be determined in advance of testing the particular combination. In some combo's the Remington Golden was totally reliable while in others frequent ignition or feeding failures occured. CCI MiniMag ammo was the most consistent HV performer. In my Marvel units I use Wolf MT or Aguilla SE SV ammo and have not experienced either an ignition or feeding failure in more than 5000 rounds.

Ok for the money. Not 100%.

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I guess I would also add that a .22 conversion is nice if you want more practice/trigger time with your 1911 but IMHO... Truth be told, for the $300+ your going to shell out for even a plinking grade unit, you'd be better off with a used Ruger MK II/III or Browning buckmark. You'll generally get more bang for teh buck in the accuracy, reliability, value and feature departments with a good dedicated .22 pistol. I love my Marvel but would not consider it as my primary/only " .22 target pistol.

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Dave