My experience was similar. My only problem was the finish wore while resting on felt. I stripped the frame and slide, ended up with a two-tone grey 1911 that wouldn't rust since it wasn't made of steel.My GSG 1911-22 works fine. It has a decent trigger, is reliable and quite accurate. The magazines are easy to use and well made. Take down isn't as simple as some others. The sights are easy to see. I've shot some pretty groups. A good gun IMHO... not great, but good. No reason I can see this gun won't last a long time.
I owned a Chiappa 1911-22 and it was quite possibly the worst pistol I've ever owned. The trigger pull was well over 14 pounds out of the box (it read off the end of the scale when tested). A gunsmith managed to get that down to 7 pounds along with target sights, but it was never a good gun for me. I sold it.
It's entirely possible I got a lemon though because I have a Chiappa Rhino 60DS and it runs like a top. Both guns represent a sample of one though.
Already got one, a MKIII with 5.5" bull barrel. It's ok ... just a bit too heavy for the caliber. Shooting it feels like work. I like my SR22 better.IMHO, if you want a reliable and accurate 22 auto loading pistol, it's hard to go wrong with the Ruger MK or 22/45 series.
The only Marvel conversions I've seen for sale were north of $350, while the GSG and Chiappa are both less than $250 if you shop around. Wouldn't mind buying a conversion, but cost IS a factor. Plus, taking a 1911 apart and putting it back together all the time sounds like a p.i.t.a.If you really want a 1911 in .22lr get a Marvel upper for your 1911 and practice with the same trigger as your .45, costs about the same as these ersatz .22 1911 and they work and shoot well although they may require "high velocity" ammo.
Plus, taking a 1911 apart and putting it back together all the time sounds like a p.i.t.a.
That sounds more like it, but still ... for another $50 or less I could get a whole new gun. Hmm.The Ciener conversion (link below) has a 1911 conversion for $199. They also have a "top-of-the-line" model for $249. (I have that one). As for taking apart a 1911, all you do is slide off the old slide and slide on the new slide... insert slide release... done.
I also have a GSG 1911-22 and I agree with these comments. I think it's important to note that the real reason that the slide is not made from steel is because the .22LR can only generate a small amount of force to push the slide rearward. The slide needs to be made of a lightweight material. There's a good discussion of this here: http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/03/joe-grine/gun-review-german-sport-guns-gsg-1911-22/My GSG 1911-22 works fine. It has a decent trigger, is reliable and quite accurate. The magazines are easy to use and well made. Take down isn't as simple as some others. The sights are easy to see. I've shot some pretty good groups. A good gun IMHO... not great, but good. No reason I can see this gun won't last a long time.
Fast Frank wrote:
These low dollar guns have parts cast out of soft zinc alloys then painted and assembled. Yes, they have steel parts where the soft alloys won't work but for the most part they are cast pieces.
The softer metals in the "Replica" guns will wear from use, and the ability to withstand abuse is far less.
So, the discussion has to move to what you expect from your new gun.
If you merely want to play with it, and don't care about target grade accuracy or intend to pass it down as an heirloom then the zinc pistol might make you happy for a fraction of the price.