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With the cost of reloading components going up and up and up, I think I have no choice but to consider getting a .22 conversion unit for my Kimber Custombuilt. Fed with good 200-gr moly SWC's, the barrel and all original parts are still going strong, with nary the hint of a wiggle to the slide after 30,000 rds of light loads. Of course the finish is getting shiny but hey, that gives it character! Like the shine showing through my hair now, hehehe...

Any pros/cons in going this route, guys?

jaeger45 wrote:With the cost of reloading components going up and up and up, I think I have no choice but to consider getting a .22 conversion unit for my Kimber Custombuilt. Fed with good 200-gr moly SWC's, the barrel and all original parts are still going strong, with nary the hint of a wiggle to the slide after 30,000 rds of light loads. Of course the finish is getting shiny but hey, that gives it character! Like the shine showing through my hair now, hehehe...

Any pros/cons in going this route, guys?

Hey there Jaeger, get yourself a 4 inch or 5-1/2 inch bull barrel Guger 22/45. I have 2 of the 5-1/2 inch guns and they are just a little muzzle heavy as far as balance goes over my SA 191 Loaded. Grip angle and controls are the same, that is why I bought them for low cost practice for my 1911's. I hear the Marvel unit works well or if I am correct Kimber makes one also. The cost of a conversion and a 22/45 is pretty much the same, but Ruger mags are a lot less costly than the mags for a conversion unit.

I have a Ciener .22 conversion for my Beretta 92FS. It is reliable and is reasonably accurate for the kind of shooting I do with the Beretta. I have never needed customer service for the Ciener but have heard that it isn't very good.

I shoot bullseye pistol with a 1911 and have a Marvel conversion for it. Actually I have a separate dedicated frame for the Marvel. The Marvel required some work to make it reliable. We had to lower the recoil spring by one pound, and increase the main spring by three pounds. Now accuracy and reliability are excellent. I am currently shooting the Aguilla white box that I got from the CMP.

BearandOldMan has a good point about the Ruger 22/45. The Ruger is an excellent pistol at about the same price as a good conversion.

wlambert

I use a Marvel Unit 1 on a dedicated 1911 frame. I had to use Locktite on the hold down screw to keep the conversion assembly from vibrating loose. I was having detonation problems with CCI-SV and instead of increasing the mainspring, I reduced the spring coils (by two) on the firing pin return spring and haven't had any misfires since.

I have gone back to one of my Model 41's for competition until I can get my scores back up with the Marvel. While is shoots very well I'm just not performing up to my usual standards with it. I have to agree with Oldman, for the price of the Marvel one can get a good Ruger 22 Auto pistol.

R,
Bullseye