Advantage Arms 1911 .22lr Commander Conversion Kit

[Roverron]

So will the target model work on a commander/ officer frame? Or only on a full size? And is AA's conversion better than Marvels? For training, I think using a 22 con would be good for wife,either on my T3 which is same size as what she's ordered or my valor

[AutoMag]

The Advantage Arms 1911 22LR conversion kit is designed to fit any full size 1911-A1 frame made to U.S. Government mil-specs.

[Dred]

Similar experience with the AA Commander Length Conversion. Flawless through 250 or so rounds so far. 3 more mags arrived for testing last week, so back to testing.

Took a bit of file work on the slide and a bit of manual manipulation to get the slide operating freely on my VBob. One failure to fire on a CCI MiniMag round, but that round flew through without incident on it's second pass.

I've only fed Remington Golden Bullets and CCI MiniMags. I'm simply thrilled. Slide lock back is 100% to date (beating my Checkmate experience). I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a slide refinish and Heinie Straight 8 sight replacement to complete this budget training tool. It will be my range practice go to.

I like it.

[Dred]

Another range trip today. 200 holes in the Zombie Target. Total cost was less than $10.

Total FTF count is now 4. I now have 4 mags and I did not get to let them sit loaded. Next time I will track the mags to see if the problem can be isolated to a particular mag.

The Target is a full size conversion. Should fit a commander or officer frame if you can handle the strange asthetics. I went with the commander length for this reason. But it is plenty accurate. The Zombie shows the result of at least 10X10 shot, faster than 2 second rapid fire bursts. I could cover the slow fire pattern with a silver dollar.

Did my Texas CHL Test yesterday with the .45; score was 242/250 (175 qualifies). Repeated the test with the .22 Conversion today for a 250/250. The .45 repeat got me a lousy 248/250.

Dred

[Grouse]

I have a marvel unit 2.




I like it a lot. It functions well and is very accurate. Match ammo, makes a difference. the down side is i have to clean the frame every time. I would like to pick up a Norinco Gov model for a dedicated lower.

[Jason_G]

Hey what are the price differences Jason? (posting opportunity... helping you get rid of the MIMBER LOVER tag!!!!!)

The price difference is pretty substantial. The AA kit cost me $235 + shipping. Of course, there's no receiver with any brand of these kits, so no FFL transfer fee, and it's shipped right to your door, which is nice.
The Marvels that will lock back on empty, IIRC, start out about $460-ish for an aluminum slide (which is what the AA is) if you order from Marvel. Some retailers may have them a little cheaper. The all steel Marvel unit that locks back is upwards of $600 on their site. Again, retailers might have them cheaper, but I don't know how much cheaper.

I wouldn't have any qualms about purchasing a Marvel, based on their reputation, and the fact that they support the 2A cause, but I don't have quite that much dough to sink into one. Everyone that has a Marvel seems to love theirs though.


Jason

[capt7d103]

Thanks for the review and info. I will be looking into one of these.

[Roverron]

Since none of the 22 conversions state that they will in fact fit my T-3, DW CCO or any of the CCO sized models where there's a Commander slide and Officer frame, I did more checking. To my surprise, Nighthawk has a Bob Marvel designed conversion that does fit the CCO/T3/Officer frame/Commander slide setup. Here's what I ordered (not backordered) http://www.nighthawktactical.com/22-...ion-units.html
This is the locked barrel, target version as shown.

[Dred]

I did have opportunity to call Advantage Arms regarding my conversion. The least of it is that I was not impressed. The slide required a little fitting, luckily I was at my LGS. Advantages response was Milspec 1911a1 only. Well happened that my LGS had just such a critter, and the interference was there, but nominally less.

This provided inspiration for a bit of file work. And everyone lives happily ever after.

Fwiw, the Wilson is a rebadged Ceiner (ala mimber conversion) with no last round hold open.

[Jason_G]

Advantage wouldn't commit to their Target model working on my commander slide guns or I'd have gone with them. All they would commit to, was it could be returned if it didn't fit.

I did have opportunity to call Advantage Arms regarding my conversion. The least of it is that I was not impressed.

I've heard similar tales from other folks as well. Seems like the company line from AA is that the kits fit USGI spec rails, and it's your problem to figure out whether that's you or not. Not my idea of a great business model, either.

I'm sure you'll like the Nighthawk kit though. It ought to basically be a more refined version of the AA kit. I'd like to see some pics of it when it comes in. Maybe we can figure out what the extra bells and whistles are that Bob adds. Maybe he does some sort of reliability package or refinishing on them?

Apparently, the AA and NH versions of the mags will hold open the slide but wilson and some others won't from what I read.

Yeah, I don't know much on the magazines. I have looked at the one I have, and it has a steel piece on the follower (sort of looks like a little clip of some kind) that engages the slidestop. I imagine there is no such piece on the followers of the other mags that don't lock back the slide.


Jason