.22 Conversion or Dedicated Target Pistol?
 

I have a very nice Springfield mil-spec 1911.

45ACP isn't cheap, and I need a bunch of range time. I'm considering a .22 conversion kit, but I can pick up a decent 22LR target pistol for 1/2 the price.

Thoughts?

Red,

Since I have a farm, I was able to set up a small pistol range...it is in the the woods and we use an old abandoned car as the back-stop.
While I have a few other pistols, a Belgium Browning and my fathers aluminum Colt Commander he bought before he went to Korea (he didn't like the weight of the mil-issue 1911), we shoot them sparringly.
The Ruger MkII with the bull barrel is an entirely different matter: there have been afternoons where we will plink a couple hundred rounds.
Long story, short answer: Keep the Springfield and get a 22 pistol for proficiency.
BTW, Oct 9th is ATF night at my farm...the Marines and Squids in the area gather for a three-pronged shooting competition: pistols first, rifles second followed by trap shooting with shootguns.
Only then to we drink and smoke.
Chem light juice poured over clay pigeons prior to launch is great at night!
Any brave Pelicans in the area are welcome.

I just bought a Ruger 22\45 Mk III target pistol, the just released follow on to the Mk. II 10 shot, semi auto. I got the 4" bull barrel.

Shooting 1.5" - 2" groups at 25 yards with it. I think I could have gotten better, but I realized after cleaning it that the front sight was slightly loose and was wobbling a bit while shooting.

Bought it new for $249.00 here in the "we have a gun for everyone" state, Florida.

Link

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=10109&return=Y

AFJ

Go for one of the newest ruger 22 pistols - the newest ones are setup safety/mag release like a 1911

To save some money reload your used 45 brass.

Get a dedicated 22 target pistol for precision.

A 45 1911 and a serious 22 target pistol is about as good a basic pistol armoury as you can get.

I agree with the others. Get the .22 pistol. Two pistols are always more fun than one!

I used to have one of these:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1127744282.gif


Big heavy barrel and small grips, it'sone of the worst balanced handguns I've ever shot, however, shooting a few clips thru it in stock form then following up with my 586 always produced the best groupings from the S&W - the nose heavy Ruger really makes you work on your shooting skills.
I later added big, contoured, wieghted grips which made the Ruger a heck of a good target pistol with it's 1/2 a carbine 10" barrel and LR ammo. All for under $200.

I'll add that it is a cool looking pistol in a Boris and Natasha sort of way..

looks like i'll be starting out in the same manner

can you tell me why you chose this particular barrel length?