10 replies to this topic

[midvalleyshooter]

OK which Production platform has the best .22 conversion available? Is there one that works as well as a Browning Buckmark?

Thanks in advance,
Keith

[kneelingatlas]

I've owned both small and large frame Tanfoglio. 22 conversions and all I can say is "not it". I've heard better things about the Kadet, but still not great. The Witness kits never ran with anything but CCI MiniMags (40gn high velocity to push the slide). The Ruger Mark II is pretty bulletproof and I have a Buckmark waiting for pickup, so I'll know soon enough.

[dsmw5142]

I have two Glock and one 1911 conversion from "Advantage Arms". They all run great. One of the Glock kits has many thousands of rounds through it and it has the same sights as my G34. I would say, as far as production kits, Glock has alot of options, if not the most, that work great.

[FightFireJay]

I have heard good things about the S&W M&P 22, I know it is not a conversion but good pricing and I think it actually has a 12 round mag.

[KSwift]

1911s by far have the best 22 conversions available. Marvel units are my favorite.

However, nowadays you can get a dedicated 22 pistol for $200-300 all day long and not have to worry about a finicky kit.

Buckmarks are a solid design, but a very outdated style.

Partial slide designs like Ruger MKs/Buckmarks/S&W 22As are becoming much less popular against more "duty" styled 22s like 1911-22s, M9-22s, Sig Mosquitos, etc. If you're looking for something to help relate to a centerfire gun, get the 22 equivalent.

Edited by KSwift, 11 October 2012 - 04:47 AM.

[Scootertheshooter]

Buckmarks outdated style still shoot pretty damn good

[redial]

The Marvel is a jewel, plain and simple BUT my M&P 22 fits my holsters, functions perfectly and doesn't require that I take apart one gun to make another. Costs the same as most of the kits. What's not to like?

Mark

[kneelingatlas]

Partial slide designs like Ruger MKs/Buckmarks/S&W 22As are becoming much less popular against more "duty" styled 22s like 1911-22s, M9-22s, Sig Mosquitos, etc.

In my experience full slide .22s are picky with their ammo because of the slide mass; MKIIIs and Buckmarks still have partial slides because they cycle anything and come back for more.

[motosapiens]

I've been thinking about the same thing, but then if the conversion kit won't run bulk walmart ammo, how much cheaper will it really be? Shopping in bulk you can load 9mm practice rounds for .10/round or less. non-bulk .22 will probably run at least 5 cents/round, maybe more. conversion kits seem to cost in the $300 range. I'd have to shoot 6000 rounds of .22 just to break even.

So i think i'm going to stick with current plan, which involves a little bit of warm-up (50-100 rounds) before range sessions with either my buckmark or my little bersa 22, then moving to the real gun. I shoot production, so the DA first shot of the bersa is helpful practice, and it's small enough that it generates at least some recoil so I can practice tracking the front sight as it lifts.

otoh, a .22 conversion would be cool.

[Flexmoney]

I've been thinking about the same thing, but then if the conversion kit won't run bulk walmart ammo, how much cheaper will it really be? Shopping in bulk you can load 9mm practice rounds for .10/round or less. non-bulk .22 will probably run at least 5 cents/round, maybe more. conversion kits seem to cost in the $300 range. I'd have to shoot 6000 rounds of .22 just to break even.

My Advantage Arms kit for my Glock runs bulk ammo. I run Blazer...40g, high velocity. It is cleaner than it used to be. It runs in all of my 22's. $16 for a brick of 500. 3.2 cents per round. So, that is a third of the cost that you quoted for 9mm.

[redial]

Blazer runs 100% in my M&P at $18 a brick.