Your thoughts on 1911 22lr conversion kit vs buying a new gun for the same price.
Posted by DashMcGee@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 38 comments
Posted by DashMcGee@reddit | Firearms | View on Reddit | 38 comments
SeventhDurandal@reddit
Ironically, I just ordered one of these.
I picked this over a new gun because I can put it on any of my 1911s and train with exact trigger, firearm weight, and ergonomics of the 'real' gun. I also ordered mine with a threaded barrel, I think it will make a sick suppressor host for .22
I have also heard they are reliable as far as .22s go, time will tell.
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
The text for my post got deleted. I actually already bought and installed it. I am taking it to the range tomorrow. I just don't like that you cannot rack the slide from the top; that rail does not move along with the slide. I'm sure I will get used to it, but I just don't like it.
One thing to note: there are no company-made videos. There are a few online. One guy gives you all of the details until you get to the slide stop lever pin sticking out. He said it was how the gun is made, but it sticks out a few mm. I couldn't believe it - you shouldn't be able to pull the gun apart if it sticks in your wedding ring. The written instructions cover that; you have to move the slide a bit - either rear or forward; I don't remember. Then you press the pin in all the way. If you put pressure on the pin and move the slide slowly, it will seat itself.
SeventhDurandal@reddit
I know that the slide does seem unusual to people coming from centerfire, but I feel like this is a pretty common trait on dedicated .22 LR pistols. S&W 41, Ruger MKII, some Hi Standards, the new Beretta B22, etc. It reduces slide mass and fixes the sights to the barrel, great for target shooting.
As for the pin sticking out, I think I found the same video. I definitely think the pin SHOULD NOT be sticking out like that. Sounds like you've figured it out. Once the pin is seated properly and you tighten the guide rod down there is no way it should come apart by accident.
WillBrink@reddit
You answered your own Q OP: Why would anyone buy an upper for the same $ as an entire gun?
IANvaderZIM@reddit
Retain ergonomics/muscle memory/grip/etc for training with cheaper ammo.
Not a great answer, but the only one I could think of.
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
My thinking was that I can use a variety of sights to see what I like best, all while using the trigger I know well. In hindsight, I wasn't thinking straight - all 1911 triggers are roughly the same, so I should be more worried about the sight options. If it doesn't work out, I can sell it online and put the money into a dedicated 1911 in 22.
Teeminister@reddit
Conversion kit. Because of gun laws in my country, I am only allowed to own 2-3 handguns.
planenut767@reddit
If you live in a restricted state where you have to apply for Pistol permits, like mine sadly, then this might make sense. If in Free America just buy a dedicated pistol for the task.
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
I live in SC, where we have what we call "constitutional" gun laws. Buy and carry whatever you want wherever you want, and at reasonable prices. You still need to pay federal fees, but there are no state regulations. It is interesting that we get our carry permits for free from the state, but I had to get fingerprinted for a nursing certificate that allows me to work with minors, and we get charged for that. (We only need carry permits for when we cross state lines, and they allow you to buy a gun instantly instead of waiting 30 minutes for the federal review.)
planenut767@reddit
So what the official non-resident carry rules for SC since they passed Constitutional Carry?
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
Others can carry without restrictions if they have CWPs from a state that has reciprocity with SC. That is not the end of it, though, as there are sources that say there are no restrictions on anyone from any state to carry openly or concealed. There are obvious exclusions for felons and in areas around schools and courts.
Puppies_andKittens@reddit
I'd just buy a real .22.
Sal-LeMandeur@reddit
New gun (like the GSG 1911s) is going to be more reliable and have more support and is a refined/legacy design.
The conversion kits, like this one - aren't exactly "optimized" especially looking at this one where - 22 slides are super picky about weight and reciprocating mass - what do they think you're gonna toss on that 4" rail section and still have it function?
cr0m300@reddit
I hear what you're saying about cost, but in this example, I don't think the rail reciprocates at all. If I owned a 1911, I'd be very tempted by something like this.
I don't want to overstate the benefits of a conversion kit as compared to just disciplined dryfire, but I really like my CZ Kadet. I can drop it onto my P-01 and it's very reliable while using the same frame.
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
You are correct - to rack the slide you can't do it from the top; you have to get your hand in the middle. I imagine I will get used to it, but I should have gotten the $300 kit, which has a plain slide.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
The GSG is basically just a conversion kit on a cheap zinc frame.
Diligent-Parfait-236@reddit
If you already have a nice frame and you really want to have that nice setup it won't be the same price. I know a lot of 1911 guys in particular who are religious about customizing/refining their gun, so it would be a drop in solution vs a whole new project gun.
The top rail on that guy is also... something?
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
"Something" is right. I guess if I want to put on 10 different sights at the same time, I'm in luck.
cubanb407@reddit
I got a 22LR 1911 conversion a long time ago when they were in clearance I think it was less than 100 bucks. They do not run very well.
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
The text for this post got deleted, so all people are seeing is the headline and the photo. I actually bought the conversion kit for $390. The slide doesn't rack like a normal pistol; the top with the sights and rail are stationary while the slide moves under it. I did some reading, and the brand I bought is highly reputed. At this price, it had better be!
Any-Can-6776@reddit
I’d rather get the kit
calentureca@reddit
For the same price, no. You are better off with 2 guns instead of one with 2 slides.
xDOWNSOUTHx@reddit
Dedicated 22lr always. You're welcome.
Acceptable_Put9737@reddit
NEVER convert anything to .22lr in my opinion. Any other conversion is ok, but powerful centerfire to .22lr rimfire will cause so many failures to feed it’ll make your eyes water. Go with the dedicated weapon, Glock 44 is a decent option. Taurus and ruger are great as well
3006mv@reddit
Get the other gun for same price. Less issues
Signal_Membership268@reddit
I bought an old High Standard .22 Supermatic Tournament, it’s close enough in grip angle to a 1911 for me.
Kromulent@reddit
when they run, they are great, because you're shooting with the exact same grip and trigger
it's like dryfire practice, with feedback
but they are often fussy
alltheblues@reddit
Not really great value for money unless it’s part of a bullseye setup or something
MediumIronOnMyHip@reddit
A conversion can actually make training counterproductive, your brain learns through platform behaves differently than it really does.
My suggestion is a second gun with a similar manual of arms.
Broke_Bak_Jak@reddit
If you can get a decent dedicated .22 pistol for the same price as the conversion kit, I don’t see any reason to choose the kit, unless you’re just trying to avoid filling out a 4473.
Useless_Fox@reddit
For ARs, I can see the appeal of practicing with the exact same setup as your regular rifle just with 22lr. But this thing replaces your whole slide and sights, so yeah I don't see the point unless you're avoiding more paperwork.
Leafy0@reddit
For ARs I can understand conversion bolts but not complete uppers for this reason, and really it would just be for practicing short ranged 3 gun type events where the inaccuracies of 22lr in the overboard 556 barrel plus the difference in zero doesn’t matter as much. It gets pretty pricy if you’re getting a dedicated 22 upper and then Replicating your optics and rail accessory setup, that much money buys a lot of 556 ammo.
Deathcat101@reddit
Sounds like a cool idea if it works.
Never heard of it.
HeughJanus@reddit
conversion kits dont make any sense when you can buy a whole ass gun for less than what that costs
Mostly_Armless42@reddit
Plus dedicated .22lr firearms often run better than converted weapons. They're just better built for the low recoil
DashMcGee@reddit (OP)
Makes perfect sense.
secret_alpaca@reddit
I get the benefit of training with 22lr on the same firearm. And I guess the conversion kit makers do too, so they charge a lot. If you're getting it to train with your gun, I guess it could be worth it. If you just want to plink with 22s, should just get another 22 gun.
Low-Landscape-4609@reddit
Man, I had one of those years ago. The advantage arms. It worked pretty good. Having said that, back then, there wasn't a lot of these dedicated 22 1911s.
Has people have stated, I don't know that I would get the 22 kit when you can get an entire firearm for the same price.
Think about it. If you ever go to sell it, you're selling a kid versus an entire firearm which is not appealing.
Also, for me personally, I never went out to the range and switched between calibers so that wouldn't have benefited me.