Test report on 1911 that’s a .22: great for training and great fun
by R.K. Campbell
Contributing Editor
When it comes to handguns and their use I maintain a serious attitude. Proficiency is a deadly serious business. By the same token I realize that all work and no play makes for a dull boy. Sometimes we have to just make brass and combine fun with practice. If we combine firing .22-caliber ammunition in fun practice with firearms manipulation that builds a skill, we have done something. Saving bucks in the present economy is important. Our paychecks simply are not keeping up with rising prices.
For many reasons, .22 caliber rimfire firearms are a good bet for both recreation and marksmanship practice. If the .22 caliber firearm used mimics the outline and handling of the service pistol, all the better. Among the devices that make the most sense for training is a good .22 caliber conversion unit. By substituting an aluminum slide for the steel slide of a centerfire handgun, the .22 caliber conversion functions well with .22 caliber ammunition. A purpose-designed, dedicated 1911 type .22 is often more accurate, but quite expensive. The recent introduction of an entry level, affordable 1911 type .22 is pretty big news. This 1911-22 is a purpose-designed .22 with an aluminum slide and frame.
Most .22 conversions require more frequent cleaning than a centerfire handgun and more careful lubrication, but they are often quite accurate. They offer the same feel as the service pistol—exactly the same hand fit and trigger compression in fact. While these conversions are often quite accurate, they demand cleaning and lubrication more often than the centerfire handgun, but that is the nature of the beast. Like many of you, I like my conversions so much I have obtained a 1911 frame (Caspian is a good bet) and keep the .22 conversion mounted on it. I have produced a true 1911 .22. This is OK as far as it goes but can become princely. The cost of the conversion and frame and parts may run over $600 for a middle of the road unit. Thus, a 1911 in .22 is an attractive option.
While obviously intended for those who use the 1911 handgun, the 1911-22 is suitable for anyone who wishes to purchase a modestly priced but reliable .22 caliber handgun.
Chiappa of Italy manufactures the 1911-22. The pistol looks like a 1911 but there are significant differences. The pistol is not a true 1911 at all except in appearance, but an understudy handgun that approximates the feel and handling of the 1911. The 1911-22 features a magazine release, slide lock and trigger blocking slide lock safety nearly identical to the centerfire 1911. The pistol does not use a grip safety. The outline is the same as the 1911 but the pistol is considerably lighter due to the use of an aluminum frame and slide. The pistol weighs about 33 ounces, a solid handful but not too heavy for use by those with less than optimum strength. Another advantage is that the slide is very easy to rack. Senior shooters or young shooters will find much to like in the 1911-22.
Centerfire 1911 handguns are locked breech designs, but the 1911-22 is a blowback. The barrel is fixed and does not move during recoil. The bolt is configured to recoil as if the bolt were a conventional slide.
The pistol is designed to field strip in a manner similar to the 1911, by turning the barrel bushing and releasing the recoil spring. Most .22 caliber handguns are striker fired but a .22 caliber 1911 must be hammer fired. The 1911-22 solves the problem by neatly incorporating a hammer into the design. The hammer is spring actuated and is cocked by the slide. But the mainspring needed to power a true 1911 hammer is not present with the 1911-22. Rather a small spring powers the hammer. Overall, a very neat solution to a real problem!
Another innovation is the polymer magazine. I am not completely wild about polymer parts but the other conversions use aluminum rather than steel magazines, so the polymer magazine is a logical cost-cutting step. As for reliability so far the 1911-22 has fared well. There is not a great deal of wear where the slide lock meets the magazine and the magazines have never failed to feed. They are relatively inexpensive and it would be good insurance to stock up on more than a few spares.
The problem of constant requirements for lubrication often associated with .22 caliber conversion units seems to be eliminated with the 1911-22. I am pretty certain it is built to a generous tolerance much like the original 1911. While I lubricated the pistol and cleaned it during the test period, the pistol has gone far longer without clearing that most .22 conversions or .22 pistols for that matter. I have used the pistol heavily, trained young shooters with it, and loaned it out to interested students and associates. At last count the 1911-22 has had more than 4,000 rounds through it without a single failure to feed, chamber, fire or eject. I have lubricated the pistol fairly often but cleaned it only every 500 rounds, about half what any reasonable shooter would recommend. The majority of rounds fired have been Winchester Wildcat round nose lead bullets and the Winchester DynaPoint hollowpoint. Function has been faultless without a single failure to feed, chamber fire or eject. As for accuracy, the average group from a solid bench rest has been around three inches for the Wildcat load. With the DynaPoint I have bested this standard by a small margin. The trigger action of the 1911-22 is heavy at over seven pounds, but usable, and I am certain this has some bearing on the current level of accuracy.
An interesting design feature is a manual firing pin lock located on the slide. This device may be ignored or used as you wish, but there is some merit for safe storage. The tool for utilizing the safety is included with the pistol.
Overall I find the 1911-22 a grand fun gun with a useful role in maintaining proficiency and in marksmanship training. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail of less than $300, this pistol is a must have for the 1911 fan and a good starter for anyone.
For more information or to find a dealer near you, contact: MKS Supply Inc., 8611-A North Dixie Dr., Dept. GWK, Dayton, OH 45414; phone: 877-425-4867; online: mkssupply.com.
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