Did it, happy I did

[runt]

Ordered a Ciener conversion from Brownell's on Monday with 2nd day shipping as a present for myself for getting a job. Got it today, inspected it, looked good so I bought a brick of CCI 40grain LRN at my local sport shop since all I had was 36grain CWHP. Worked great on both, although I am never buying bulk box Remington 36grain CWHP again, had a couple not go off until I rechambered them and one not go off at all (primer problems). Plus I had one failure to eject with the Remington, it looked like it got pulled out, and the slide slamed on it in the same orientation as the chamber. The kit is more accurate than I am, shoots point of aim at ~10 yards and close at 25 yards. I don't like how it tends to throw brass straight up and back (had one land on the back of my neck under my shirt, kinda hurt). Also, not sure whats causing it yet, but when I have the slide equal with the takedown notch, I get resistance both forward and back. Its something to do with the frame to slide fit as it does it without the barrel and slide installed. So far, I've gotten oil the **** out of it and shoot out the resistance, not sure I wanna do that, but it functions fine now so I'm hoping it won't be a huge thing to fix.

And finally, pics of it installed on my AMT HardBaller.

http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001623_thumb.jpg
(http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001623.JPG)

http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001624_thumb.jpg
(http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001624.JPG)

[John]

Hmmm, I didn't know Ciener was making a kit with standard sights. I thought all those conversions came with adjustables! Interesting!

[runt]

Hmmm, I didn't know Ciener was making a kit with standard sights. I thought all those conversions came with adjustables! Interesting!

yep, they do. they're also making ones for commander and officers sized pistols. they come in gloss black, flat black, and silver now. but i got mine from brownells since it was a whole $179 due to my c&r license. i wish the front sight was replaceable though, i'd like to put a set of fiber optic sights on it (like these (http://www.truglo.com/content/prod_handgun_sights/tritium_fiber_optic.asp)) for rabbit hunting at an ex-coworkers farm ;)

[Gammon]

Ordered a Ciener conversion from Brownell's on Monday with 2nd day shipping as a present for myself for getting a job. Got it today, inspected it, looked good so I bought a brick of CCI 40grain LRN at my local sport shop since all I had was 36grain CWHP. Worked great on both, although I am never buying bulk box Remington 36grain CWHP again, had a couple not go off until I rechambered them and one not go off at all (primer problems). Plus I had one failure to eject with the Remington, it looked like it got pulled out, and the slide slamed on it in the same orientation as the chamber. The kit is more accurate than I am, shoots point of aim at ~10 yards and close at 25 yards. I don't like how it tends to throw brass straight up and back (had one land on the back of my neck under my shirt, kinda hurt). Also, not sure whats causing it yet, but when I have the slide equal with the takedown notch, I get resistance both forward and back. Its something to do with the frame to slide fit as it does it without the barrel and slide installed. So far, I've gotten oil the **** out of it and shoot out the resistance, not sure I wanna do that, but it functions fine now so I'm hoping it won't be a huge thing to fix.

And finally, pics of it installed on my AMT HardBaller.

http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001623_thumb.jpg
(http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001623.JPG)

http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001624_thumb.jpg
(http://smccloud.com/uploader/files/1/guns/IM001624.JPG)

I bought a Ciener conversion and eventually sold it because it wouldn't function reliably on the reciever I intended to use it on. Not Ciener's fault because the reciever had been custom fitted to another slide for max accuracy. This fitting caused enough friction between the reciever and the Ciener conversion to short cycle the gun. I eventually installed a Marvel conversion on this reciever, which solved the problem ($390, ouch!). The Ciener conversion functions reliably on stock frames with the right ammo and proper lubrication.
I mention this because this process gave me a lot of experience with 22 conversions. They are extremely sensitve to ammo (the Ciener kit needs HOT stuff) and lubrication; Ciener himself recommended 5w50 synthetic motor oil for his conversion. Hot ammo and light oil should cure any reliability problems.
PS I don't understand your comments on the slide/take down notch.

[runt]

when i have the slide back to where i can insert or remove the slide stop, the slide sticks a little. not enough to make it not function, but something that doesn't seem right to me. it could be my frame (i know i've had enough problems with the **&^%#$ thing). I know we have around a case of 5w30 in the garage (never seen 5w50 in conventional or sythetic) and i'll prolly try that. anyone know if the slide can be machined to take a set of kimber cut dovetail sights? i know i'll have to have my local 'smith do it though.

[Gammon]

Actually, Ciener recommended 5 weight synthetic. I used 5w50 Castrol because I had some left over from an oil change. Any 5 weight synthetic should work. I wouldn't worry about the slide sticking a little as long as the pistol functions. The slide could be milled for a new rear sight but it might be expensive.
I would put several thousand rounds through the kit before I considered any mods. The rear sight can be drifted in its notch to adjust the windage and elevation can be affected by choice of ammo. I would do a lot of experimenting (its cheap!) before I went for a new rear sight.

[runt]

Actually, Ciener recommended 5 weight synthetic. I used 5w50 Castrol because I had some left over from an oil change. Any 5 weight synthetic should work. I wouldn't worry about the slide sticking a little as long as the pistol functions. The slide could be milled for a new rear sight but it might be expensive.
I would put several thousand rounds through the kit before I considered any mods. The rear sight can be drifted in its notch to adjust the windage and elevation can be affected by choice of ammo. I would do a lot of experimenting (its cheap!) before I went for a new rear sight.

i still love shooting my amt with its ciener kit. i will probably pick up one for the officer's 1911 i just inherited ;)