Those you mention are scaled down pistols (2/3rd size?) and most are made of zinc-alloy.

The Colt Ace or .22 Conversion kit on a full-size frame are more realistic.

 

only the Browning 1911-22 is scaled down. just sayin'...... and it is not zinc alloy, either aluminum or composite

 

I don't know anything about these but they are interesting.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1124400557

 

I never saw that model. The Walther/Colt models are also made in Germany, but I believe they're steel framed.

 

Was just thinking about this today. Reliability would be key !!

 

I just found these models at Sportsman's Outdoor Super Store. Take a look!

22 LR 1911 Pistols for Sale | Sportsman's Outdoor Superstore

 

I don't like the modern .22 1911s or the conversion kits because they are made of lightweight alloys, which means they lack the heft and feel of a 1911. Colt's Ace and the conversion units got the job done while remaining identical to a .45 1911 in weight. The downside (aside from lackluster accuracy) was the floating chamber's propensity to foul up after a short number of rounds had been fired, and the onerous cleaning needed to get it back into fighting form.

My 1950s conversion unit on a 1966 Government frame:

 

Very nice, especially considering it's a genuine Colt product. Maybe I should consider a garden variety 5" .22 auto. You probably know of some good brands and models?

 

My favorite .22 is the SIG P322. I've only owned mine for about three years and already I think I'm wearing it out with all the ammo I've put through it.

 

I’ve owned the Walther/Colt Gold Cup Trophy since 2012, shortly after they were released. It’s always in my range bag. Several thousand rounds later and it’s still going strong without a hic-up. They are fun plinkers. They are not a bullseye competition pistol by any stretch but are reasonably accurate. A Colt Service Model Ace will cost 3-4 times what a new Walther/Colt will cost. A Colt .22 Conversion Unit will cost as much as a new Walther/Colt and you still need a compatible frame to use it. Accuracy is way better than either Colt (I own (3) Colt .22 Conversion Units, and a Colt Service Model Ace pistol). Here's mine. I've modified it to suit my taste. Ambi safety, trigger, hammer, fibre optic front sight, grips.

 

Very nice, 824, that's a great lookin' pistol!

 

The Hammerli Forge H1 is a good, inexpensive 1911. Made by Umarex in Germany, but the frame is forged so it has some heft. It’s what I’ve found to be the best .22lr 1911 that isn’t a conversion.

 

Thank you, AEK, another member mentioned that gun in another post. I bookmarked the page so I could remember the brand, and of course I don't know what happened to it! I'll take a look at it.

 

AEK, I'm checking out the 5" model now. 34 oz empty, you're right, it's pretty beefy.

 

Here's a link to the Hammereli site for those interested. It's also available in 4.25"

Hammerli Arms Forge H1 5”

 

Guys, PSA is selling the 5 inch model for $199. I had to buy one at the price. My Total is $238 with tax, shipping and insurance. That's well within my meager means. The rail is ugly as hell, but I don't give a crap as long as it's reliable and shoots straight! It's made in Germany, so I expect the gun to be pretty good quality!

Walther Arms Forge H1 .22LR Pistol 5" 12rds, Black - High-Capacity and Precision - 5170500 | Palmetto State Armory

 

I have the pre-shrunk Brownings, and I love 'rm.
I do not see the advantage of practicing with a full size 1911 in 22LR when it behaves like a 22.

The little Brownings are a class unto themselves.

 

Cave, those are cool pistols and very reasonably priced.

 

Mine is a Colt frame with an early Kart conversion. Fred used a real Colt .22 slide.

 

 

I have a Sig 1911-22 that I really like. It's been a good gun. I'm pretty sure they just re-branded a GSG though.

 

I have the GSG 1911-22 and it has been very reliable and accurate. Mine came with a threaded barrel and the best made magazines I've ever seen. I don't think they come with the same magazines any longer and the threaded barrel is now optional. I bought mine in 2013 so 12 years old and it goes to the range frequently. No idea of how many rounds through it but it eats everything I feed it. It also came with suppressor height sights as well as regular sights. You will need to buy the adapter to mount a suppressor.

 

ruger. i know its not a 1911, but the grip angle is the same. its the most reliable 22 auto i've owned. and i've owned a bunch. a high standard hd is a lot of fun, if you can find one. if you insist on a 1911, marvel.

 

I have the GSG 1911 in 22lr. It turned out to be a really fine pistol too. It worked perfectly right out of the box. But unless you really need to, do not field strip it. As it can be a real pain getting it back together. It does not field strip like a regular 1911.

 

Earl, I recall reading positive reviews on the GSG. Last night I ordered a Hammerli H1 for $200 from PSA. At 200 bucks I have to try it!

 

I purchased one of the commander sized 1911's from Hammerli, and then after its first range trip ordered the 5" model too. You can find them for $199 online. With shipping and transfers I've got about $500 in the pair (not including the grip changes of course). They have both been flawless with a couple of hundred rounds through each. I put a threaded barrel adapter on the 4.25" and it has been problem free suppressed as well.

 

Gd, thank you for your input, it's encouraging news!

 

Do the various .22 sets only work on a .45 Cal frame or will the work on a 9mm 1911 frame? I believe the 9mm ejector my preclude working on a 9mm.

 

PH, that's a really good question.

 

You will need to remove the ejector on a 9mm frame to use a .22 Conversion Unit.

 

That made me dig my Colt .22 Conversion out. It's on a SAInc frame, and looking at the slide from the rear, there is a lot of room to the right of the .45 ejector, and looking at a 9mm ejector's difference in thickness/offset, more than enough.

Think I have a stripped frame somewhere. I'll put the 9mm ejector in and try it tomorrow.

 

I have the Hammerli Forge H1 5 inch model, picked up a few weeks ago at PSA for $200 plus tax and “shipping.”. Really like it. I have a Walther PPQ22 with similar metal magazines. Both pistols feed whatever I stuff in the mags. The Hammerli even feeds my Federal Spitfire truncated cone ammo.

Someone mentioned the threaded adapter and this is a bit of a sore spot with me. The manual has no info the adapter. The wrench included with the pistol, for removing the thread protector, is so cheap it bends and spreads open, then slips off the cap.

If you make your own wrench, it is 10mm and should about 0.100” thick. The supplied wrench is about 0.075” thick.

The Walther website (the Walther site, not Hammerli) does have an info page on the adapter, when you eventually find it, but you have to read carefully. The Forge H1 uses what Walther calls the Late or long style adapter. Walther part number is 512.105 and that adapts to the US standard 1/2-28 RH thread.

Interesting: Taylor Tactical sells different thread adapters for the PPQ22 and the Forge H1. Umarex/Walther/Hammerli product support told me that most Walther (and related) 22 pistols use the same adapter, which is part number 512.105. Walther has the best price by far, $20 US, but they are out of stock.

My Forge H1 weighs 31 ounces with no mag, 34.4 ounces with a full mag. I got some cheapie walnut grips (or stocks, if you prefer) from Amazon because a black or blue metal handgun, in my opinion, needs some wood on it.

Holsters! Can’t forget that. From Amazon, I got some reproduction WWII holsters of various kinds last Christmas for my airsoft 1911. I was able to first scratch the 1911 itch with a $25 airsoft pistol but the Hammerli Forge H1 was just too irresistable! Anyway, this is supposedly a pilot or tanker chest holster. I really like this chest rig style, especially for a yard gun. It’s in front and easy to cross draw at a comfortable height, and is high so it’s not in the way when I sit down, like in the car. I‘ve got some leather ones too, and of course one of the reproduction flap holsters with ”US” on it. FYI, the canvas chest holster shown here also fits a Glock 19 size pistol, and my Heritage Single Action 22 fits also.

Ok that’s it for now. Cheers to everyone and safe shooting! Thanks to all for the helpful information you share.

 

Fhain, my H1 is on the way. I'm glad to hear your H1 isn't fussy about ammo. That wrench you display is probably the most pathetic wrench I've ever seen. It's not worth one cent!

 

you can harden a soft chunk of steel by heating to dull red and quenching in water. its pretty simple. or if you can find a welding or machine shop they may do it for you.

 

That’s a pretty good idea that I hadn’t considered but might try it. I have two of these Walther wrenches and they both suck. I can’t make them any worse by trying to harden them. Thanks!

I also have some cheapie stamped steel wrenches gotten many years ago. Some of them are bicycle tools. I filed one a bit thinner and opened it up to 10 mm. Works good.

 

Had a devil of a time getting a thread protector off my 30-30. Had to spray it down with penetrating oil, clamp that sucker in a padded vice and twist it until it said uncle.

After that, I always keep the threads on the barrel and protector well oil and I stopped shooting it with the protector on when shooting unsuppressed.

i put one of these soft jaw wrenches in my range bag just in case the protector might need a little persuasion.

 

copper anit-seize may work better than oil. i would not recommend the regular aluminum anti-seize for that application. nice to see that chanellock is still made in the usa!

 

nice to see that chanellock is still made in the usa!

Only a handful are made in the USA, the rest of their line is made overseas. They do occasionally release some limited runs of made in this USA, like these pliers that have a US Flag on the pivot rivet.