[GBullet]

Of all the accesories in the shooting world, few can provide the enjoyment and opportunity for learning that a .22LR conversion kit brings. For practice the conversion wins hands down. But should we depend on a .22LR conversion for our outdoor/hunting .22LR?

Consider a common large caliber, centerfire pistol such as the Glock or 1911 that might be used with a .22 conversion kit. The normal pistol is a recoil operated, locked breech design with a moving barrel. The conversion substitutes a fixed barrel, lighter slide and lighter recoil spring, converting the pistol to blowback. The .22 conversion is a modification, and must necessarily be a compromise of sorts.

The other choice is a pistol designed from ground up as a .22LR such as the Ruger MkII, Browning Buckmark or Beretta 89. Twenty-two pistols do not suffer from the compromises of accomodating other calibers and as such are usually more reliable.

Both the .22 conversions and .22 pistols can be extremely accurate. Both tend to function well with high velocity and hyper velocity .22LR cartridges. But the conversions inevitably have heavier slides than their .22 pistol counterparts. They also have slide travel distances dictated by the centerfire cartridge and commonly have more friction, too. A heavier slide or greater friction can impair function with standard pressure and match cartridges. The reliability factor favors the .22LR pistol.

For handgun hunting and other outdoor uses (snakes, etc.), I would choose the .22LR pistol. As the expression goes, "You pays your money and you takes your choice."

 

[RIKA]

The conversion unit also lets you use the basic combat pistol frame along with its safety, trigger etc. At the outside of reasonable argument, you could say that it helps keep imprinting the handling and control into muscle memory. Assuming the same style of sights, there is also the visual imprint. In a non critical hunting situation the reliability issue is of little importance. That said, I use a Ruger MK2 for pistol hunting. The 22 units are for fun and casual practice.

Just a thought.

RIKA

 

[GBullet]

...In a non critical hunting situation the reliability issue is of little importance. ...
RIKA

Good point! But then again, a jam could leave you open to attack by a large bunny.

 

[Teufelhund]

I really like the .22 con top ends for my pistols.

I have a Ciener "Platnium" Commander legnth unit that has Millet adjustables on it and is very accurate and quite reliable. It makes a nice training and plinking .22 pistol on the frame of my LW compact SA 1911.

I also have an Advantage Arms unit for my G34 that is better quality than the Ciener IMO, it's a very nice unit.

I have been using .22 LR cov. units for along time on my pistols and in my AR's and find them very useful. I wouldn't consider being without them and don't consider a handgun "first line" that isn't so equipped, as well, no AR owner should be without one either, they offer that much utility IMO.

Teuf,

 

[John in AR]

The only .22 conversion unit I own (or have ever used) is on my AR. Like it a lot, and use it a lot. It's more accurate than I expected it to be, given the 1/9 AR twist vs. the normal (1/14 or 1/16...?) twist of a .22LR. After the first 700-800 rounds, it settled down a bunch, and now I don't recall the last time it's jammed with anything other than the Aguila 60-grain SSS load. (That's a shame. The 60-grain bullet should be just about perfect for this gun's rifling twist, and gives the heaviest .22LR projectile available, which is relevant when maintaining subsonic velocities. But it just refuses to cycle more than three or four rounds out of ten, and it's also MUCH louder at the ejection port than a normal subsonic load; I imagine due to faster bolt opening because of the added inertia of the heavier projectile.)

Regardless, even with the less-than-optimum twist, I plan to use it for small game this fall, with Remigton subsonic hp ammo and suppressor. Not "as" accurate as my CZ bolt-action, but far more accurate than my 10-22 (that gun sucks for accuracy), and with the subsonic ammo and suppressor, won't scare off squirrel #2 when I pop squirrel #1.

Never used a pistol conversion kit, but it might be handy for practice.

 

[mrostov]

I'm thinking of checking out the new .22LR drop in unit for the AR made by DPMS.

 

[Magnum88C]

I don't really like the conversion units. I've got a Colt unit and it's accurate enough, I haven't used it much, but seems to be as reliable as can be expected.

Just if I'm out actively doing something with a .22, it's usually with a rifle. Or if I'm hunting with a canterfire rifle, I'll carry the 22/45.

Guess I just don't really have a use for the conversion units. In a SHTF situation I surely won't compromise either my primary pistol or rifle by turning it into a rimfire.

 

[Hillbilly]

Don't know much about the conversion units, but I have used the .22 pistols a lot. I like the Ruger Standard Model. I think it's probably one of the most accurate .22 pistols made for the money. I put a scope on mine, and use it for rabbits and other general pest elimination around the house.