22LR Conversion or new handgun, your prefrence?

Chris Phelps · January 23, 2006, 03:34 PM

Hypothetical situation: You want a 22LR for plinking and using at an indoor range. You have a 9MM which has 22LR conversions available. Assuming that there was no price difference, would you elect to go with a 22LR conversion, or buy an additional 22LR?

The conversion would allow for practicing with the same firearm you would be using for defence/weekend plinking, so I would consider that a plus. Also, it would allow you to shoot a full size 22LR.

On the other hand, adding a 22LR to the collection would give you a nice plinker, so you could save the 9MM and not have to worry about swapping out the slide/barrel assembly to switch between the two. On range weekends, you could bring both firearms.

Which would you choose?

Handy · January 23, 2006, 03:47 PM

The conversion is attractive, but I'm always caught by the price. $200 will buy either a conversion (half a gun) or an entire .22 pistol of good quality.

Either is fine, but I've always elected to spend that $200 on a gun, not an accessory.

MrAcheson · January 23, 2006, 04:37 PM

If the choice is buying half a gun (the conversion) or a whole gun, I'll go with the whole gun. If there wasn't a .22 available that mimicked the performance of my centerfire pistols, it might be different. But I shoot mostly 1911s and hipowers so I have a lot of alternatives without resorting to conversions.

American4guns · January 23, 2006, 05:27 PM

I like to shoot each guns in the caliber it was designed for.i would go for the new 22LR and ditch the conversion. besides 2 guns is better than 1 and 3 is better then 2 and so and so on etc etc

ATW525 · January 23, 2006, 05:34 PM

If the centerfire pistol was one I was married to for defensive purposes, I would likely go with the conversion. Otherwise I'd get the new pistol.

That being said, I've gone and done both.

Chris Phelps · January 23, 2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

That being said, I've gone and done both.

haha, that is a consideration too. But then I guess the question becomes... which one first?

toast · January 23, 2006, 10:02 PM

Depends on how many guns you have or plan to keep in a collection, and what guns they are.

The 22lr conversion can provide nice cheap practice if you have a limited gun collection. They take up less room then a full gun, don't require an FFL and can help you master the exact trigger of your centerfire pistol.

This may seem backward but I have been looking at a 1911, and a big reason for this is the Marvel conversion.

topspin43 · January 23, 2006, 10:42 PM

Get another gun. .22 only pistols are more acccurate than any conversion.

snake guy · January 24, 2006, 12:05 AM

I went back and forth on this same question for a long time, and finally went with the additional .22 (CZ Kadet). I wanted something that duplicated the feel and size of the CZ, but did not want to hassle with the conversion (requires some minor fitting with the CZ). I have been very happy with it (after a grip change), although I have to admit I don't use it as much as I thought I would. The quality is excellent though.

Robert Foote · January 24, 2006, 12:16 AM

Depends on what gun, what conversion,and what you are trying to do. I have used Colt Conversion Units since around 1963 and still shoot one now and then. They can be quirky until you learn what ammo they prefer for functioning, and are normally a bit less accurate than a purpose-built .22. Even so it will usually shoot better than I can.

Personally I like the idea of a sub-caliber weapon, both for initial training and just fun when I don't feel like shooting centerfire and picking up the brass (which I will have to reload someday). Also have dedicated .22 LR pistols so I go with the flow.

Ceiner makes one for the BHP that intrigues me...

TexasSIGMan · January 24, 2006, 12:42 AM

Never turn your back on an excuse to buy a new gun

Rembrandt · January 24, 2006, 09:00 AM

I've done both....don't really need another .22 pistol, got a conversion for my BHP and highly recomend it. For plinking this is the first gun I reach to.

LeadPumper · January 24, 2006, 09:39 AM

I have purpose built .22 plinkers and .22 conversions both. For pistol and rifle.

.22 is great for plinking and conversions can usually be had for less than a new gun (especially in gun un-friendly states alike Maryland!).

Conversions can allow for greater practice time on a given frame, whether it be 1911 or Glock, you can shoot more for less money. No, it's not the same as shooting the caliber the gun was 'meant to'. But I'll take .22 practice over no practice any day of the week. What you do get to practice is trigger control with that firearm. So when you switch back to the 'right caliber', that trigger is something you're already used to.

Conversions aren't usually as accurate as purpose built .22's, but that's ok as long as you understand the limitations of the beast.

Any .22 is better than no .22. If you can (of course), get both. If not, get the one that makes the most sense for your needs.

And keep shooting.

-LeadPumper

Chris Phelps · January 24, 2006, 09:59 AM

It appears to be unanimous... a purpose-built 22 cal seems to be the way to go.

Thanks to everyone!

Quote:

Never turn your back on an excuse to buy a new gun

The main reason I was considering this over the conversion.

Pilot · January 24, 2006, 10:46 AM

My CZ .22 Kadet Kit conversion is as accurate as my Ruger MK II 5.5 inch bull barrel with Volquartsen trigger and hammer. It required absolutley NO fitting to either my 75B or 75D PCR. If they do require fitting its a couple of passes of a file to the Kadet Kit.

JoeHatley · January 24, 2006, 11:51 AM

I sorta did both. Bought the conversion, but mounted it on a dedicated alloy frame.

Not the 9mm you were asking about, but the concept is the same.

Good Luck...

Joe

281 Quad Cam · January 24, 2006, 01:50 PM

I have a CZ and considered the Kadet... But for the $299 retail - I preferred to have a seperate gun. I got a Browning Buckmark for $299.

It's trigger blows CZ out of the water, and I am glad I did it this way.

ChickenFried · February 13, 2006, 12:02 AM

I can't help with your decision. Found this thread doing a search to help me with my decision. But regarding the ".22 only pistols are more accurate" that's been said. Each Marvel unit 1 conversion kit for 1911's comes with a test target showing a fifty yard five shot group under an inch.

January 23, 2006, 03:34 PM	#1
Chris Phelps Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Location: South China, Maine Posts: 814	22LR Conversion or new handgun, your prefrence? Hypothetical situation: You want a 22LR for plinking and using at an indoor range. You have a 9MM which has 22LR conversions available. Assuming that there was no price difference, would you elect to go with a 22LR conversion, or buy an additional 22LR? The conversion would allow for practicing with the same firearm you would be using for defence/weekend plinking, so I would consider that a plus. Also, it would allow you to shoot a full size 22LR. On the other hand, adding a 22LR to the collection would give you a nice plinker, so you could save the 9MM and not have to worry about swapping out the slide/barrel assembly to switch between the two. On range weekends, you could bring both firearms. Which would you choose?

January 23, 2006, 10:42 PM	#8
topspin43 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 761	Get another gun. .22 only pistols are more acccurate than any conversion. __________________ Be careful out there.

January 24, 2006, 09:39 AM	#13
LeadPumper Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2001 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 122	Both, and still buying... I have purpose built .22 plinkers and .22 conversions both. For pistol and rifle. .22 is great for plinking and conversions can usually be had for less than a new gun (especially in gun un-friendly states alike Maryland!). Conversions can allow for greater practice time on a given frame, whether it be 1911 or Glock, you can shoot more for less money. No, it's not the same as shooting the caliber the gun was 'meant to'. But I'll take .22 practice over no practice any day of the week. What you do get to practice is trigger control with that firearm. So when you switch back to the 'right caliber', that trigger is something you're already used to. Conversions aren't usually as accurate as purpose built .22's, but that's ok as long as you understand the limitations of the beast. Any .22 is better than no .22. If you can (of course), get both. If not, get the one that makes the most sense for your needs. And keep shooting. -LeadPumper

January 23, 2006, 03:47 PM	#2
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	The conversion is attractive, but I'm always caught by the price. $200 will buy either a conversion (half a gun) or an entire .22 pistol of good quality. Either is fine, but I've always elected to spend that $200 on a gun, not an accessory.

January 23, 2006, 04:37 PM	#3
MrAcheson Senior Member Join Date: July 15, 2002 Posts: 442	If the choice is buying half a gun (the conversion) or a whole gun, I'll go with the whole gun. If there wasn't a .22 available that mimicked the performance of my centerfire pistols, it might be different. But I shoot mostly 1911s and hipowers so I have a lot of alternatives without resorting to conversions.

January 23, 2006, 05:27 PM	#4
American4guns Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2005 Location: PA Posts: 122	I like to shoot each guns in the caliber it was designed for.i would go for the new 22LR and ditch the conversion. besides 2 guns is better than 1 and 3 is better then 2 and so and so on etc etc

January 23, 2006, 05:34 PM	#5
ATW525 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2005 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 2,723	If the centerfire pistol was one I was married to for defensive purposes, I would likely go with the conversion. Otherwise I'd get the new pistol. That being said, I've gone and done both.

January 23, 2006, 10:02 PM	#7
toast Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 180	Depends on how many guns you have or plan to keep in a collection, and what guns they are. The 22lr conversion can provide nice cheap practice if you have a limited gun collection. They take up less room then a full gun, don't require an FFL and can help you master the exact trigger of your centerfire pistol. This may seem backward but I have been looking at a 1911, and a big reason for this is the Marvel conversion.

January 24, 2006, 12:05 AM	#9
snake guy Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 59	I went back and forth on this same question for a long time, and finally went with the additional .22 (CZ Kadet). I wanted something that duplicated the feel and size of the CZ, but did not want to hassle with the conversion (requires some minor fitting with the CZ). I have been very happy with it (after a grip change), although I have to admit I don't use it as much as I thought I would. The quality is excellent though.

January 24, 2006, 12:16 AM	#10
Robert Foote Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1998 Posts: 623	Depends on what gun, what conversion,and what you are trying to do. I have used Colt Conversion Units since around 1963 and still shoot one now and then. They can be quirky until you learn what ammo they prefer for functioning, and are normally a bit less accurate than a purpose-built .22. Even so it will usually shoot better than I can. Personally I like the idea of a sub-caliber weapon, both for initial training and just fun when I don't feel like shooting centerfire and picking up the brass (which I will have to reload someday). Also have dedicated .22 LR pistols so I go with the flow. Ceiner makes one for the BHP that intrigues me...

January 24, 2006, 12:42 AM	#11
TexasSIGMan Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2004 Posts: 139	Never turn your back on an excuse to buy a new gun

January 24, 2006, 09:00 AM	#12
Rembrandt Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2002 Posts: 2,108	I've done both....don't really need another .22 pistol, got a conversion for my BHP and highly recomend it. For plinking this is the first gun I reach to.

January 24, 2006, 10:46 AM	#15
Pilot Senior Member Join Date: December 21, 2000 Posts: 4,193	My CZ .22 Kadet Kit conversion is as accurate as my Ruger MK II 5.5 inch bull barrel with Volquartsen trigger and hammer. It required absolutley NO fitting to either my 75B or 75D PCR. If they do require fitting its a couple of passes of a file to the Kadet Kit.

January 24, 2006, 11:51 AM	#16
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	I sorta did both. Bought the conversion, but mounted it on a dedicated alloy frame. Not the 9mm you were asking about, but the concept is the same. Good Luck... Joe

January 24, 2006, 01:50 PM	#17
281 Quad Cam Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 937	I have a CZ and considered the Kadet... But for the $299 retail - I preferred to have a seperate gun. I got a Browning Buckmark for $299. It's trigger blows CZ out of the water, and I am glad I did it this way.

February 13, 2006, 12:02 AM	#18
ChickenFried Junior Member Join Date: December 11, 2002 Posts: 11	I can't help with your decision. Found this thread doing a search to help me with my decision. But regarding the ".22 only pistols are more accurate" that's been said. Each Marvel unit 1 conversion kit for 1911's comes with a test target showing a fifty yard five shot group under an inch.