Who makes the best .22-caliber 1911 complete pistol?

epd1102 · 05-19-2010, 06:23

I'm looking for a good .22-caliber 1911 to practice with but I want to buy a complete 1911 in .22, not just a .22 conversion kit. The only way I'd be interested in the conversion is if I were to buy a complete lower and make a complete gun. I don't want to spend an arm and a leg but I want something that is going to be accurate and will run well. I appreciate any advice you guys can give me.
Moderators: I didn't know if this thread would be better in the rimfire forum or the 1911 forum so I posted it in both. I hope that's okay.
Thanks

Edited to add that I like the look of the Kimber 1911 .22. I looked at the Tactical Solutions conversion kits to go with an appropriate frame but the rail on top of them makes them look like they won't fit in a regular 1911 holster.
Thanks Again

**Jason D** · 05-19-2010, 16:07

I don't think that there are that many being made as complete pistols.
There is the Kimber of course, and the pot metal Chiappa 1911-22.

If I were to buy another .22 conversion, I would go with Marvel.

epd1102 · 05-19-2010, 16:25

I saw a Chiappa today at a gun shop for $260. It felt decent for the price as a plinker and practice-gun.
They said people usually call them a Chalupa or a Chia-Pet. I thought that was funny.
I'm kind of looking for a Kimber if I can find a good used one or maybe building a pistol with a frame and a conversion kit.

**Jason D** · 05-19-2010, 17:56

The Kimber will still probably run close to 600.00.

Even if you could buy a low end 1911 for say 400.00, you are still looking at 400.00 more for a premium upper. You can find plinker uppers for just over 200.00 though.

You might be better off with something like a Ruger 22/45.
It's a .22 pistol that maintains the 1911 grip angle, and magazine release.
You could probably find one of those for 300-350.

epd1102 · 05-19-2010, 18:05

I thought about a conversion kit on my carry gun but my main reason for not wanting to do a conversion kit on my carry gun is that I don't want to foul up my carry gun with the cheap rimfire ammo I plink with. If I do a conversion kit, I'll buy a complete frame to put it on. For the past twenty-one years, I've carried a Sig or a Glock. I'm trying to get re-adjusted to carrying a gun with a safety that I have to disengage. I don't want to put a lot of money into the gun but I will if I have to in order to get a good plinker to practice with.
I thought about the Ruger 22/45 but it's just not enough like a regular 1911 for my current needs.
Thanks.

Titurel · 05-20-2010, 00:01

I have a Marvel Unit 2 that I have permanently living on a SA G.I. frame. I got the original Springfield used, mainly because I was enamored of having a WWll-looking 1911. It was $400 but I lost interest in shooting it because of some reliability issues and the cost of .45 acp. Then I got the conversion and have since been very happy with it. The best thing is that it is still a real 1911 so I have been upgrading parts like a flat mainspring housing, new springs, grip panels and sear. I still would like the trigger to be a bit better.

There are some issues though. The target sights are excellent, but the front sight is quite high and can interfere with some holsters. Also the gun does not run on match grade ammo, so its hard to fully realize the accuracy potential of the very high quality barrel. But it is highly reliable with mini mags and similar rounds.

But all in all, it makes most sense to me to buy any old 1911, replace some parts as you might wish and get a .22 upper. I really enjoy shooting mine.

CC Glock · 05-20-2010, 09:03

Colt Ace model if you can find one but it will cost you. Best 22 pistol i have ever had.

ScrappyDoo · 05-20-2010, 11:19

I want a Walther .22lr pistol are they any good?

(I also really want a PPK but I don't really want a .380 pistol when it would be my only .380 but I have a lot of use for .22LR ammo... so are the Walther's any good? They just "do it" for me)

bac1023 · 05-20-2010, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScrappyDoo

I want a Walther .22lr pistol are they any good?

I don't care for mine much at all.

I like a Ruger Mark III or Browning Buckmark for the same price.

ScrappyDoo · 05-21-2010, 15:20

bac I am not 100% familiar but I understand you are one of the most knowledgeable and respected people on here... May I PM you a few questions?

mwingnut7 · 05-21-2010, 18:10

Here are my thoughts as I have owned several 22 pistols. I started with a Browning Buckmark 5.5 target. Nice gun, but was fussy on the ammo. Another down side to this is finding a holster to carry in the woods, etc. Maybe there are more now. Next I bought a Walther P22. Although it was a fun gun to shoot, I would save my money for something nicer. That is more for a first gun than someone with experience. Just last year I found a Kimber Rimfire Target at the local gun shop that was new. Although I spent over $700 for it, it is by far the nicest 22 I have shot and is quality inside and out. I am totally impressed with the accuracy and feel......just like the 45 Kimbers, except lighter. I highly recommend the Kimber. If you can live without the warranty (mine is 2 years through the gun shop), check the used market for it in the $600 or less range.

CMG · 05-22-2010, 17:13

I like the Kimber Rimfire Target conversion kits, and both of mine have a dedicated frame:

.17 HM2

.22LR

heehaw · 05-27-2010, 01:02

if you sit for a little while GSG is supposed to release a 1911 .22 that looks pretty decent.

TonyT · 05-28-2010, 07:52

If you want bullseye level accutracy and excellent reliability then your choice boils down to the Marvel Unit 1 and a dedicated frame. It is used by many bullseye pistol shooters.
I purchased a "clunker" 1911 for the frame, fitted new internals and the Marvel conversion unit.
The Marvel unit has an aluminum slide with a steel insewrt but does not lock open after firing the last round. It is designed to use standard velocity ammo but one can purchase a heavier reoil spring which will allow it's use with HV ammo.

Aiden · 05-28-2010, 17:12

I have a Kimber .22lr slide that I swap with my .45 slide at the range. Works great, put 300 Aguila interceptors and 100 Winchester super X rounds through it the first day without any problems, only 1 ftf from a dud round.

If for any reason I had to stop shooting .45acp, I'd be completely happy with just using the .22 slide and making my Kimber a dedicated .22 pistol.

This gun has been fun enough that I'd say the dedicated .22 from Kimber is worth buying.

Glock 21 Dan · 03-12-2011, 15:17

Browning is comming out with a 7/8 scale .22 caliber 1911.

Umarex is supposedly comming out with a full size .22 1911. Disassembles just like a 1911 and accepts most 1911 accessories.

deadite · 03-12-2011, 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Glock

Colt Ace model if you can find one but it will cost you. Best 22 pistol i have ever had.

+1000.

If I had the cash, I would grab up one of these. Very collectible and great guns! This one's not mine, but I wish it was.

deadite

**Jason D** · 03-12-2011, 15:38

The CMP sold a bunch of the ACE or ACE II top ends here a couple years back.
I wish I would have bought one of those.