22/9mm build or buy

[hash]

hi,

I am new to this forum and shooting center fire in general. I have been lurking here for a long while now. I have lots of questions and need lots of help. I don't have a 1911. I have no intention of shooting a 45 -- which almost all 1911 are by default. my end goal is to have a 1911 that can be a 22 cal as well as 9mm. I understand from reading posts on this site that 1911 can be built to different cal. and there are conversion kits for 22 but only works with standard (non ramped) barrel 1911. how do I go about figuring out which 1911 will be standard vs ramped if I go the conversion route? since I really have no intention to own a 45 pistol, does it make sense (cheaper) to build a 1911 to be a 22 from frame? and thus not waste parts from full gun? I have seen the parts diagram from www.m1911.org home page. what parts do I need if I am building from ground up to be a 22? I think I read STI sells almost complete kits with fitted slide and frame, what else would I need? I don't have machinery or anything, but I am not mechanically challenged neither. do I really need a smith for stuff I am asking for?

please advise

thanks.

hash

[Hawkmoon]

There are a number of sources for 1911 kits -- but most will be in .45 ACP.

If all you wanted was a 1911 in .22 I would recommend just buying a Kimber .22 (don't remember what they call it, but they have it). It's a bit pricey at around 600 clams, but saves a lot of work.

However, if you are certain that you want a 9mm and .22 convertible, then rather than build a gun I'd suggest buying a gun and a .22 conversion kit. You can find used Colts in 9mm ... check out www.gunsamerica.com and use the search feature to search ONLY the "Colt 1911 and variants" area using 9mm as the key word. Springfield offers a new 1911 in 9mm, I believe. Para Ordnance has ramped barrels, but they offer the full-size (double stack) P14 in a 9mm version ... the P18.9. And Arthur Ceiner offers a .22 conversion for the Para Ordnance.

[John]

Get a Springfield Loaded in 9mm Para and then get a conversion kit to shoot 22 LR. You might have some matching issues, but they are not severe.

[hash]

thanks guys for your help. i assume that the springfield one does not have a ramped barrel. i hate to ask but, i don't recall seeing threads on comparison between para vs springfield loaded. can you guys point me to the right direction on getting more info? i have checked both sites, springfield loaded has more features documented compare to the para. all i can gather from the para is that it has some new form of extractor. another question i have is the thickness of the grip. i have held a glock 19 and like the grip width. how are the 1911 grips (based on the 2 models recommended) compare?

thanks alot.

hash

[Tom T Bosee]

A Ceiner conversion ejector slot won't match with a 9mm ejector, so go for a kit made to fit .45, 9mm, 38 Super frames.

[Herb Clark]

Help! Where can I get .22 conversion kit for 5" 9mm????????

[John]

The 9mm ejector can be trimmed to fit a .45ACP slide or the slide can be machined to fit the ejector. Not a huge problem.

As far as PO vs Springfield, I know that Springfield offers a single-stack 1911 in 9mm and it is a very nice one. I am not sure if Para is offering any of their single-stack pistols in 9mm.