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I currently carry a full size 1911. I'm thinking about getting a 22 conversion kit so that I can practice more without emptying my wallet. A friend turned me on to a kit from Tactical Solutions. The only problem I found with that is apparently you can't use it with an extended ejector; which I have. I have also looked at the Chiappa 1911-22. It seems like a good choice, but I would really like to practice with my pistol. The big thing that I want is the ability to have the slide stay open after I fire the last round. Any thoughts?

The Chiappa will lock the slide back, but it has a god awful trigger pull (although it does improve the more you use it). The Chiappa simply looks like a 1911 and has the controls in the right places but internally its not even close to a 1911. If you want something to simulate your carry gun for cheap practice I would recommend getting the conversion kit. If you want a cheap gun that has the look and feel (for the most part) of a 1911 then get the Chiappa.

I have a Ciener conversion kit that works well on my Springfield loaded model. Kimber also makes a kit. One note, the new plastic mags will NOT work with a mag well extension. You have to use the older metal mags and finding them is pretty tough to do.

However, I really enjoy the .22 to do more shooting with. You still get some decent recoil from the slide cycling so it similarly resembles shooting with the .45 round (just not quite as much bang and a hole in your target about half the diameter. )

Does the Ciener kit have a last round slide lock? I know the Kimber doesn't. That feature is important to me as I would also like to practice reloading. And I sent an email to Tactical Solutions asking them about the ejector situation; so hopefully I hear something back from them in a decent amount of time. The Chiappa is looking like a more suitable option, but I really would like to use my carry pistol.

The Ciener doesn't have a slides top. I am not aware of any of the 1911 conversions that have one. Not sure about the Chiappa.

I know the Chiappa has a last round slide lock; not only read it in reviews, but seen it in video. And I know that Tactical Solutions has a last round slide lock as well. The only thing preventing me from getting one is what I keep hearing about the the extended ejector getting in the way if the slide; which is why I sent them an email inquiring about it.

There are 1911 conversions that hold the slide open after the last round. I have no experience with them, but I'm planning one for the 1911 in my future....

http://www.advantagearms.com/mm5/mercha ... _Code=1911

This is what I found on the Advantage Arms site:

Q: Will your conversion kit fit my 1911?
A: Our 1911 conversion kit is made to fit any Full Size 1911-A1 frame, series 70 or 80, made to Military Specifications. If your gun is not made to military specifications then some fitting maybe required.

So again, I'm not sure if it'll fit a 1911 with an extended ejector.