GSG 1911 - 22LR pistol

[DukeNukem]

That broken GSG slide is made of aluminum not pot metal. If I remember correctly what I read about it, it broke after only a few rounds through the gun and was chalked up as a manufacturing defect.

I have well over 10,000 rounds through my GSG 1911(I stopped keeping track of exactly how many once I passed 10,000.) Mine runs just about every ammo I've tried in it very well. I've only had a few minor problems with mine:

Zinc barrel bushing broke after a couple of thousand rounds--replaced with a steel barrel bushing(the newer GSG 1911's come with a steel barrel bushing.)
Head of the barrel fixing screw stripped out--replaced with a screw I picked up at the local hardware store for a few cents.
Recoil buffer worn out--replaced with a faucet washer sanded down to the proper thickness.



A couple of people who post on Rimfire Central are nearing 20,000 rounds through theirs.

 

[Dudemeister]

Well, it's a done deal. I placed an order for my GSG today.

I would have gotten the tactical version had it been available complete with the mock silencer in California, but unfortunately, our wonderful state prohibits its sale.

So I opted for the traditional version with the wood grips. Now the wait begins.

 

[918v]

Well, I'm going to say you don't know what the heck you are talking about. There are dozens of die cast aluminum frames for auto pistols, receivers for rifles, parts within many, many successful firearms all across the spectrum.

name one

quality firearms are machined from forgings or barstock

 

[bergmen]

name one

quality firearms are machined from forgings or barstock

To start with:

Henry 001 lever action .22: Die cast aluminum receiver.

Ruger 10/22: Die cast aluminum receiver.

Browning A-Bolt II Medallion: Die cast aluminum mag floor plate.

Stay tuned...

Dan

 

[918v]

lemme help you:

Lorcin, Hipoint, Jennings, GSG, and other throw downs

 

[Bonjour43ma]

Funny how most that are bashing the GSG don't actually own one............

 

[918v]

Why would they own one if they seek quality? You can get a nice Browning or Ruger for the same price. Or better yet, a used High Standard Military model.

 

[Bonjour43ma]

How can you criticize/give opinions on a gun that you've never owned? Yeah... didn't think so.

Case closed.

 

[DukeNukem]

The first firearm I ever owned was a Ruger Standard(purchased back in 1974 or 75). I had it for a few years before I sold it. Sure, it's better built and more accurate than the GSG1911, but I'd still rather have my GSG than that one.

I currently own 7 handguns, and I shoot the GSG more than any of my others.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

There's just no way that a lowly .22LR is going to have the power to push back a "proper" steel full size 1911 slide

ever used an old colt conversion?

 

[918v]

How can you criticize/give opinions on a gun that you've never owned? Yeah... didn't think so.

Maybe you should think harder. Consumers have the ability to research, examine, and compare. Consumers don't need to own something before being able to offer an opinion about or making a decision to purchase a product.

 

[Bonjour43ma]

^^^ LOL Okay I'll play.

If you did you research, you would've found out that the majority of the reviews for the GSG are overwhelmingly positive, getting better ratings than many other brand-name .22 semi autos. They have gone through minor revisions to correct some of the shortcomings of the very first batch of guns (steel bushing, steel guide rods, polymer recoil pad, just to name a few). Owners are happy with their performance having shot thousands, or tens of thousands of rounds and have had no major issues. Of course there are some reports of issues and malfunctions, but that's as easy as googling "(insert gun name) issues" which is the case for any manufacturer. I can dig up cracked slides and frame photos of Glocks, Sigs, or any other brands, and say that they're crap, too. See how that works?

Given that, you still decided to take a biased opinion and claiming that it is a steaming pile of ****, when in fact the very research that you seem to rely on so much, tells you the complete opposite.

Don't like the gun? Not my problem. But don't tell others that it's a POS because YOU don't like it based on whatever criteria you used, not because it doesn't perform well. Plus, since you don't own and have never used the gun, your opinion on this matter is a lot less valid than those that do own and have used it extensively.

It's hard to take your opinion seriously when you don't own the gun that people are talking about. It's like talking about how a Ferrari California sucks compared to a Porsche Panamera, but you don't even own either one!

 

[918v]

We are not talking about a high end firearm, say a Les Baer vs an Ed Brown. We are talking about something along the line of a HiPoint.

You conveniently left out 2/3 of the analysis. Just because a bunch of individuals are happy with this cheap firearm does not make it a quality product. All it means is there are people who will buy it. I would buy it to give to a ten-year-old kid because only that kind of mentality appreciates something like this. It is a toy, nothing more.

There are people out there who are happy with their Lorcins, Davis and Jennings pistols. Does that make them quality firearms? Would you not rather have a Walther PPK?

I played with it and it reminded me of an airsoft gun.

One of these days someone will make a nice steel 22 caliber 1911.

 

[David E]

name one

quality firearms are machined from forgings or barstock

The Ruger P-85, 89, 90, 91, 93 and 94 all use a cast aluminum frame.

They are regarded to be very reliable and durable. In fact, you stated yourself Ruger is quality. What say you now?

Colt made the "Ace" once upon a time as well as a conversion kit, both out of steel.

 

[Bonjour43ma]

So you're saying you're an elitist that can only use "high end" firearms, and nothing else? Well good for you. Your guns are more expensive than mine, so they must punch paper holes better than the rest of the "crap" that's out there. You just insulted every GSG 1911 owner out there by calling their gun "a cheap toy that only a 10 year old will appreciate"... How kind of you!

For the rest of us average folks, we buy what our budget allows but that does not mean we don't value quality. You seem to have "value-conscious" and "consumer ignorance" confused. These .22 semi autos are for fun, training (for the larger caliber 1911s), and cheap thrills. We're not talking about target rimfire pistols here.

I have a suggestion for you - if you hate the GSG so much, why do you bother coming in here and making a case out of it, just to prove your point (whatever your point is). You don't like it? I don't care, but don't come in here pretending you know what you're talking about because obviously, you don't.

 

[918v]

Ruger does not die-cast their aluminum frames. Also, look at the thickness of Rugers casting in comparison to frames machined from aluminum forgings or barstock. Look how unwieldily they have to be. Their ergonomics are horrendous.

I'm not an elitist. I just avoid crap. I wish people wouldn't enable companies like GSG to cheapen the firearms industry. Look at the Marvel conversion. Nice quality. Shoots like a Hammerli for a fraction of the cost.

 

[rondog]

Confucius say - never try to teach a pig to sing. You'll only waste your time and make the pig squeal loudly.

 

[saturno_v]

As an impulse buying, and because I did read many positive reviews, couple of years ago I bought a Chiappa 1911-22.

I took it home and immediately the finishing reminded me of blotched spray paint....did look exactly like the finishing of toy/cigarette lighter guns and such...not etched characters on the slide, just painted over labels....umistakable smell of what I believe is zinc...again similar to the toy guns I played with when I was a kid...I open the manual which says that you had to file a bit the front sight to find your ideal point of aim (from actory the pistol shoot low)...final nail in the coffin, I find out that the pistol is basically based on a blank firing pistol frame....


Never fired a shot, put it back in the original box and I sold it the next day.....it may have been a great working little pistol well worth the money but for me it got the feel of a throw away pot metal crappy gun...there are cheap guns, inexpensive guns, reasonable priced guns and overpriced guns..I try to buy the inexpensive and the reasonable ones....

 

[Sky]

I have been using the GSG 1911 as a training pistol for men and women. Size is a tad bit to big for some of the girls but with both hands they seem to like it. The occasional FTF (for what ever reason) has been a good teaching aid and funny with watching people clear malfunctions; but a good learning experience. IMO the GSG it is on par with the P-22 but is more accurate with less effort due to barrel length.

We will see how the pistol holds up and performs over time.

At $300+ dollars is it a great deal?? There are rifles and 9mm Smiths that can be had for that type of money....but the affordability and the training allowed by the GSG (or any other .22 auto loader) is hard to beat.

As in all things it is a matter of eye appeal and functionality that keeps something around or delegates a weapon to the safe or the gun shop for sale. I personally accept the pistol for what it is and as long as it does not blow up in some one's hand all other short comings can be lived with. Short comings?? It is what it is so enjoy or get rid of it.

I like the pistol because I can hit stuff (4"w x 7"t metal fall down targets) at 30 yards; so can others after a little familiarization and training if they are ever going to become a shooter.

 

[CharlesT]

This hasn't been very high road....

 

[dondavis3]

I own a Sig Sauer 1911 / 22



My Sig is made by GSG for Sig.

It is a great gun.

Very reliable and a joy to shoot.

 

[TennJed]

I would buy it to give to a ten-year-old kid because only that kind of mentality appreciates something like this

I'm not an elitist. I just avoid crap. I wish people wouldn't enable companies like GSG to cheapen the firearms industry

Those are pretty ignorant statements and honestly attitudes like that are about as helpful to the firearm industry as anti gun propaganda. In my opinion anything that helps bring people into firearm ownership is a good thing. If people can only afford so called "crap" at least they are on the right side of the fence. If people enjoy shooting so called "toys" more power to them. At least they are enjoying and taking advantage of their 2nd ammendment rights. I for one hope attitudes such as you expressed are not taught to ANY 10 year olds

 

[918v]

If you want to bring people into firearm ownership, there are better choices than the GSG in the same price range, quality guns not novelty trinkets.

 

[wally]

plus it has a fixed barrel so its gonna be more accurate

What makes you think that? Its only the case if the gun is in a Ransom rest, but in normal shooting they are often less accurate because the sights are on the slide making the slide to frame fit critical for accuracy.

Fixed barrel is only half the issue, the other half is having the sights also fixed to the frame and barrel -- like the Ruger, Buckmark, Neos, S&W M22a, etc.

 

[918v]

I disagree. The slide to frame fit is less of an issue than you think being the front of the slide rides the barrel via the barrel bushing. A barrel pressed into the frame is much more sturdy than one secured by a set screw.