1911 .22 Conversions

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

I'm looking for a .22 Conversion kit for my 1911A1.  Just for plinking and firearms training purposes.  I have seen several new designs listed (since I can't afford an original Colt's Service Ace).  Does anyone have experience with one of these?

The Designs I am aware of are: Advantage Arms; Ciener; Kimber; Marvel; Wilson Combat.

Any and all experiences are appreciated.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[St. George]

I thought that Colt still produced theirs...

The only Conversion Units I've ever used for the M1911 is that made by Colt.

My own is one made Post-War - with the Stevens rear sight.

Kept clean and shot with Remington 'Golden Bullets' - the thing's like a sewing machine.

I also use a Ceiner on my M9 - and it's a great training aid.

I'd look at one of those - and Brownell's has them.

I even use an M268 on my Colt AR15A2 HBAR.

A Conversion Unit can be picky - insofar as they'll like certain ammunition and no other - so take some time to find what it shoots well.

And - keep the thing clean and greased or oiled.

I use 'Pro-Shot' and I've had great success on all three of mine.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

[Doc Shapiro]

The Marvel conversion is the one that I see the most often at competitive matches (Steel Challenge).  Very reliable.

Hope this helps.

Doc

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

St. George, Doc Shapiro,

Thank you both for your input.

So that's one vote for Ciener and one for Marvel.  Actually two for the Ciener if you count Brownell's.

Jarvis is also making a .22 - .45 1911 conversion unit.  Anyone hear of that one?

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[Doc Shapiro]

Kimber is making one too.

Personally, I'd go with Marvel.  There's a reason that the top competitive shooters use it.

Doc

[Big John Denny]

The Kimber 22 conversion is actually made by Cierner (I don't think that's spelled right). In fact, a lot of the conversions out there are made by Cierner and marked with the other company's name.

[St. George]

Ciener does make them for others...

Marvels are made about 50 miles from me.

They're 'marvels', too - and priced accordingly.

If you want it for what you state - plinking/training/general rimfire enjoyment -then  look for a Colt or a Ciener.

if you want Bullseye accuracy (or damned close to it for a conversion unit) - then a Marvel or a Kart is the way to go.

If you want a bargain- see how Brownell's prices theirs.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

St. George,

Your statement is actually another point for Marvels in my book, American made.

Finding a reasonably priced Colt's Conversion (reasonable being under $300) in good condition is not easy.

So far, the only responses seem to refer to Ciener (since they make the kimbers [Thanks Big John]) or Marvel.  Has anyone had experience with the others?

MidwayUSA offers the Advantage Arms conversion kit for not much more than Brownell's asks for the Ciener, and spare magazines are about half as much as Ciener's.  This kit also has last round lock open, which the others do not.  Total price difference between the two, sans shipping, is around $40.

Has anyone dealt with the Advantage Arms Conversion Kit?

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[St. George]

Cieners are American-made as well - as are the Karts.

When I shot for Uncle Sam - we were issued Colts - partly because they were available and partly because Karts weren't.

The Karts shot great when you could get your hands on them.

Ditto for the Colts - but I preferred shooting Match Ball ammunition for practice - so I did - and used the Conversion Units to help train newer shooters.

Preferring Match Ball is easy - when you have cans and cans of it...

My Small-Bore was shot with a Smith & Wesson Model 41.

I know the players in the Marvel operation and the product is a fine one - hands down.

Good Luck.

Scouts Out!

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

St. George,

I was not implying any slight against the Ciener's, simply noting the fact that the Marvel's are made in the USA.

I had never heard of Kart's .22 - 1911 conversions before and according to my research, they are no longer manufactured.

This thread is turning into a Marvel & Ciener commentary.  Unfortunately, the Marvel with spare magazine is around $100 more than the Ciener with spare magazine.  That's why I was expressing an interest in the Advantage Arms unit from MidwayUSA.  It splits the price difference between the two.

However, our realtor informed my beloved and I that the seller of a house we looked at has accepted our offer.  So I may not be able to afford any of these for a while.  Still, research is useful for it's own sake.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

[St. George]

Those Karts were something - but - they were expensive.

Bob Marvel sells some stuff through Brownell's and maybe they'll have a friendlier price if they also handle his Conversion Unit.

Good luck - and congratulations on your new abode.

Scouts Out!

[Standpat Steve]

Howdy,

Although it's not a 1911 conversion ( I have a Colt Ace pistol), I do have an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion kit for a Glock. I purchased it based on price, the fact that it was locally made, and I have met some people who had trouble with Ceiner customer service. The Glock conversion had a minor hiccup when I shot it the first time. Called the company, spoke to a real person who answered the phone, and had a revised part come in the mail within three days. Took it to the range and shot it without problems. Five other shooters at the range saw the conversion and wanted to try it, each with their own ammo-no problems. I was pretty happy after seeing that. It may be that their 1911 conversion isn't as good, but I would sure consider Advantage Arms. I have also read several very good reviews of the Marvel conversion, and would consider it, too.

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

St. George,

Brownell's only carries the Ciener conversion unit at this time.  I sent an email off asking if they plan on offering the Marvel or Advantage Arms units.

We signed the papers at the realtor's last night, hopefully we will get the closing done by February 1.


Standpat Steve,

That's a solid vote for Advantage Arms.  I'm kind of leaning that way for several reasons, one is price, another is the last round hold open feature.


Thanks for your contributions.

Anyone else have experience with the conversion units?

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

EDIT: I went to the 1911forum.com site and ran a search for 22 conversions. Based on the comments made, Ciener is out of the running. Apparently, most of them work well, but if you need customer service from Ciener, forget it! According to several posters, J. A. Ciener is extremely rude and short tempered. I see no reason to deal with a person like that. Life is too short.

So, now the contest is between the Marvel Unit 2 and the Advantage Arms Standard Model.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. wickwire

[Laredo Crockett]

Complaint that I  have heard from MANY sources is that if   you ever need customer service on a Cienier you are out of luck. I have never found anyone who has ever used a Jarvis. It is all steel and has the last shot hold open. Cienier and Marvel have alloy slides and thus don't have hold open. I am not familiar with the Advantage Arms conversion.