Author Topic: 1911 22/45 conversions (Read 1103 times)

expense4 · « **on:** November 29, 2004, 04:18:31 AM »

What are the opinions of the players on Ciener vs Kimber vs Marvel? Many thanks in advance for your input from Expense4.

Iowegan · « **Reply #1 on:** November 29, 2004, 08:36:39 AM »

I have a Colt "Ace" 22 conversion and a Ciener. The Colt Ace has a steel slide and looks nicer but the Ciener functions much better and is just as accurate. Don't know about the other two.

Questor · « **Reply #2 on:** November 29, 2004, 08:55:59 AM »

Marvel is the one used by bullseye competitors (precision shooters). It's supposed to be the best there is, if accuracy and reliability are the key criteria. It's not the cheapest, though.

rbwillnj · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2004, 01:50:01 PM »

Echo...Marvel is the best, and expensive.

I have been told (by someone who should know) that Ciener makes the Kimber conversion, but I have not seen the Ciener up close. I know a couple of guys with the Kimber conversions, and they like them. With the Kimber conversion, the slide does not lock back after the last shot. It's designed that way. I have a Colt conversion, It's an older one, and a real quality piece to match my Colt Series 70 Gold Cup. I have never had any problems with it. They are on ebay all the time for $250-$300.

Better yet unless you plan to do Bullseye competition, take the money, and buy yourself a 22 semi-auto. For about the same money, you can get a Ruger MkII. It will shot better than the conversion, and you will have two guns instead of one. If you plan to compete in Bullseye, get the Marvel.

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2004, 02:47:57 AM »

expense4: I have to go with rbwillnj's suggestion to go for something like the Ruger MkII for a 22lr target or bullseye gun. It is a lesser expensive and from my perspective gives greater variety and utility than a 22-45 conversion.

However, that being said, if it is strictly a conversion you are looking for then the Iowegan and Questor have givien sound advice. Just my 2 cents worth here. Mikey.

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2004, 03:28:03 AM »

Mikey's right too, so it's just a matter of what you want. I have a Buckmark that I've had tweaked to give me a trigger pull weight similar to that of the 1911. I shoot this gun a lot because the trigger control I need to exercise with it is the same as what I need to do on a 1911 bullseye gun. The advantage is lower cost of shooting and cleanup is just wiping the gun down and putting it away. Because trigger control is the essence of good pistol shooting, it's not the overall gun that matters, but the trigger that matters.

If your goal is to get better with the 45 while spending less doing so, then the Ruger/Buckmark approach is good. If you want a true championship gun, then the Marvel conversions (where they tweak the gun as well as provide the conversion unit) is hard to beat. It is used by many top shooters.

I personally prefer the Buckmarks to the Rugers, but it's a Ford vs. Chevy kind of preference.

greenjeans · « **Reply #6 on:** November 30, 2004, 06:31:56 AM »

I also recommend the Ruger 22/45. I have the 6" version, very accurate, and the controls and grip angle are the same (close) as the 1911's.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #7 on:** November 30, 2004, 12:44:03 PM »

I also have the Colt Service Ace and the Ciener. My experience is the Ace is more accurate and reliable. I prefer it to the Ciener.

TScottO · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2004, 06:12:32 PM »

Like others have said, the Marvel is tops and has the best accuracy guarantee on the market. I personally couldnt imagine buying a 22 conversion if accuracy was not a high priority. Top notch accuracy is worth the additional cost IMHO. Adding another gun to the stash is always nice to do but the accuracy isnt guaranteed.

Be Safe,
Scott

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #9 on:** November 30, 2004, 06:37:16 PM »

My Colt Service Ace kit is adequate -- I've killed squirrels with it. It is slightly more accurate than my Ruger MKII automatic -- and that's a pretty good benchmark.

But a lot of .45 ACP work doesn't require gilt-edge accuracy -- if you can keep all your shots in a group the size of your hand at 20 to 35 feet, you can win most practical pistol matches. I do a lot of shooting like that -- defensive work, presentation from the holster, and so on. Both the Ciener and the Colt Ace are ideal for that.

rbwillnj · « **Reply #10 on:** November 30, 2004, 07:01:46 PM »

I bought my Colt 22 conversion within a month or so of when I bought my Series 70 Gold Cup (about 25 years ago). I have no complaints about the conversion, it works great, looks great, feels like and handles like the 45. The aluminum conversions like Ciener and Kimber work fine, but they really don't feel like a 45 because of the weight difference.

The only thing is, I have only used my conversion a dozen times in the past 25 years (mostly when I take the kids to the range). I still say go with a dedicated .22 semi-auto. There are a number of good choices for the same money as a conversion. Ruger is just an example, Buckmark is another one. Any of the low cost .22s will be more accurate than a 22 conversion unless you spring for a Marvel, and if you want to spend that much for a conversion, buy a IZH 35M Baikal for $400 and you can put all your shots in the same hole.

By the way, most of the serious Bullseye shooters who buy Marvels have dedicated frames built to match the conversion. The advantage to a Marvel is being able to shoot 2" groups at 50 yards, and to be able to shoot essentially the same gun for rimfire, centerfire and service.

skeeter · « **Reply #11 on:** January 06, 2005, 03:22:05 AM »

I bought the Marvel conversion several months ago. Since buying it, I have not shot my Colt as a 45. The Marvels comes with a test target. It is supposed to shoot a less than one inch 5 shot group at 50 yards. The target with my conversion measures about 3/4 of and inch. The down side is that the slide does not lock open after the last shot. I find myself counting the shots and sometimes that distracts me from the target. The marvels kits are on sale this month again at Midway. The conversion is well worth the money.
Comparing it to a buckmark is not a fair comparison. I don't shoot my buckmark anymore either.

unclenick · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2005, 01:12:49 PM »

I'm with Skeeter. I bought a Marvel after my Dad got one because of his disappointment and problems with his Ciener. The magazines are the same as the ACE magazines. Not quick to load, but boy does it shoot. The value is in being able to use the EXACT same trigger and grip panels you shoot .45 with. My old dependable Ruger MKI, which I got in the 60's (used), will still clean an X ring at 50 yards from a rest, but the trigger is so much lighter and the grip is so different that switching means adjusting. I usually have to dryfire the .45 before starting the centerfire stage to get past the feel thing. .

Nick