Conversion Kits

[Mossy]

What's your thoughts on them?  Would you rather have a dedicated 22 or convert your 1911?  Any recommended manufacturer?  I'm thinking of picking up a kit for my Ruger 1911 but I'm on the fence. 

[Huntbear]

My .22 handgun is a plinker and a hunting tool (grouse, rabbit, etc..)  and a survival tool if needed.  .22 ammo is light and many many rounds can be carried. 

My .45 is a defense weapon..  I never want it disabled for any reason.

I guess what I am saying is get a .22 handgun that is accurate and leave the .45 set up to protect yourself and your family.

Just my 

[SniperDanWA]

I'm with Huntbear.  My 45 is for protection.  I have and will buy other guns for plinking.

[sirmissalot]

I thought about getting one for my Kimber but the kit was about $300, pretty sure you can get a ruger Mark II or III for close to that

[mkcj]

We have 22's and we have a conversion that I bought off a Friend of mine for $50 with 4 mag's. It take a couple minutes at the range to change over and then a couple more minutes to change back when we leave. 500 round's of 22, under $25. 500 rounds of 45 ACP I just paid $201 w free shipping! let's my boy's get a lot more trigger time with there kimber's

[Special T]

I think they have their training place. If you look at the Walther P22 and the P99 both have very simlar feel and function. I think they tried to make a 22lr and a 9mm that are "the same" for the very reason you guys state. Practicing a bunch with a different 22lr than your carry gun does nothing to build muscle memory. It may help your shooting, but buying a ruger 22 to save money and practice with your Kimber 45 isn't the right way to go.

[300rum]

You "my .45 is to protect my family" guys crack me up.  That's why you own more than one!   

I have a Kimber conversion.  It is extremely accurate.  Every bit as accurate as my Browning buckmark.  I can hit an 8" plate at 50 yards offhand 8 times out of a mag and the misses aren't from the conversion.  It is also fun as can be!  It took awhile to get it "broke in" but it runs and runs now without any problems, I use Remington green/yellow 525 round bulk ammo and Federal bulk with no issues.  I would say that it took 4k rounds to break it in real good, most of the "blue" on the aluminum slide is gone now, it is now very reliable.  At first I had some hangups but the more I used it and as long as it is well lubed, it works great.  I use Enos Slide Glide (lite) on the rails and that works great even in sub freezing temps.

I use it to let new shooters shoot a pistol for the first time or to show a newer pistol shooter how to shoot a pistol.  It is a great idea if you want to learn your trigger on your defensive gun, you don't have to worry about recoil and can just focus on breaking the shot and what that feels like.

The only thing I don't' like about it is that the mags are slow to load and tear your thumbs up.  I use it when I want to focus on trigger work with my competition Singlestack.  I may try to run a thousand rounds in a session but my thumbs just can load that many.  I wish that they made a loader for it but I haven't found anything yet.  The mags are very reliable and fit in your singlestack mag holders (if that is important).  The only thing is that the mags are kind of expensive but I think that I found them for $15 or so a couple of years ago.  I have about 15 mags and they have held up very well.           

[Mossy]

Sorry...I should have mentioned that although this is my only 1911, it is not my only .45.  This one may or may not be a carry weapon, I have a few I am more accustomed to.  I'm leaning toward getting a separate 22 and picking up a conversion down the road.

[thinkingman]

I thought about getting one for my Kimber but the kit was about $300, pretty sure you can get a ruger Mark II or III for close to that

I have multiple 1911's, Ruger Pre-Mark and Mark II, and a Buckmark, and the Rugers are the least like 1911 for practice.
Grip angle, controls, slide serrations, nothing is similar to 1911.
Get a Buckmark or Ruger 22/45.
I strongly prefer the Buckmark.
That said, If I saw a quality 22lr conversion at the right price, I'd buy and use it.
Ain't nothin like the real thing, baby!