1911 .22 conversions

I would like to get a 1911 conversion for BE. 

Any recommendations on Marvel vs Nelson? 

They both appear to be the same product to me.

I have a Marvel and it has been good for me. I did have to change out the main spring in my lower in order not to have occasional FTFs. My understanding is that Nelson’s have some minor improvements to the design. I am not sure what. When I was looking Nelson’s we’re on long back order so I went with a used Marvel. If they are the same price and same availability then I think I would get a Nelson. But you can’t go wrong with either.

I have been very satisfied with the Nelson. I know several people who are completely happy with the Marvel......

I don't believe you will go wrong with either one.

Ric

I own a Nelson and it is dry fire safe (no need for a snap cap). I do not know if the Marvel's are dry fire safe. They very well could be.

Nelson, Marvel or Advantage Arms will serve you well.

They all have the same basic heritage

The Nelson combo rail is $200 less than the Marvel so I suppose that will be my choice.

I will get the combo rail so I can shoot irons at first then mount a scope later as I progress. Can anyone share some pics of your scope mounted on a combo rail? I would like to get an idea of the rear sight impedes scope placement to the rear of the slide.

Thanks.

I have both. They both function well and are accurate. I would suggest either. Keep in mind that either might not run 100% off the bat, and some spring balancing might be necessary (using a combination of recoil and mainspring). They also like different magazines, so keep that in mind.

Dave

I have both. Slight overall preference to the Nelson. I do like the Marvel iron sight adjustability, (wide vs narrow front sights are available) but I have found the Marvel to be more prone to parts breakage. The typical example being a firing pin. Of the three different Nelson conversions I have used (borrowed one, own two) I have never had any issues with broken parts. 

I recommend a dedicated lower that is tuned for the conversion (magazine height, mainspring, ect.) I have found reliability to be better this way.

As far as the rear sight in the combo rails is concerned, I have not found it to be that big of an issue. I'll try to find photos that show different scope mount options.

I wish the conversion companies would provide this mounting:



Top pix is a Marvel rib on a Nelson and Leupold rings.  Works fine with a new drilled hole in the rib.

Another thought is the weight.  Some ribs are aluminum, some steel.  I found that a heavier frame with aluminum rail  weighs the same as a lighter frame and a steel rail.

little guns require a big dot!

I should also mention Marvel has a steel slide option, which slows the slide down a bit and makes it feel more like my wadgun (keeping in mind it's still a 22, obviously). Personally, I like it.

Also, you can fit a 9000 on a Nelson combo rail.

Dave

My Marvel steel slide uses 5# recoil spring, while my Marvel longslide and Nelson are using 7# recoil springs. I don’t use lock back on any of my conversions. I like being able to dry fire a 6 th shot 
I’m spoiled; have Keefer, Krieger and Shilen barreled conversions.

Jon

Dcforman wrote:I should also mention Marvel has a steel slide option, which slows the slide down a bit and makes it feel more like my wadgun (keeping in mind it's still a 22, obviously). Personally, I like it.

Also, you can fit a 9000 on a Nelson combo rail.

Dave

not to mention that you can get the ribs in aluminum or steel

joy2shoot wrote:I own a Nelson and it is dry fire safe (no need for a snap cap). I do not know if the Marvel's are dry fire safe. They very well could be.

Have owned 3 Marvels and 2 Nelsons. All functioned flawlessly.
I've replaced 3 firing pins on Marvels, at my expense.
Now just shooting Nelsons.
Allen

Probably had my Marvel Unit 1 for 15 years. One metal mag and one poly mag (provided oversized to sand and adjust for fit). Fit Colt Ser70 GC without issue.  Have barely shot it much over the years, but I don’t think it has ever had a hiccup.maybe 1000 rounds??? 

Mine is non-lockback. Didn’t like that originally, but there’s supposedly a reason: last shot same as the first one. I’m incapable of putting that to any use at my meager level.  Plus, in everything else I own / shoot (SA), the last shot is different. So toss up. I mention it because I don’t think that’s mentioned before.

Found some various photos of dots on the combo rails

chiz1180 wrote:Found some various photos of dots on the combo rails

Thanks for the pics. Any idea what optic is in the bottom picture?

Sig Romeo 5 on a QD mount with carbon shades. Same optic is in the 2nd pic but with sig's low mount. 

I use that particular setup for 22 EIC and as a backup dot gun, QD makes it quick to switch and not worry about zero.

What rate are you guys using for mainspring?

I believe most are running 17-19 lb.

Dave

19 has worked fine on all my conversions(4 marvels, 1 Nelson and a Kart) also all i use on my EIC and wad guns

I had a Nelson that struggled to hold 3" groups off a bag.  Changed the barrel, same story.  My two Advantage Arms did better job.  My Marvel shoots light out, sub 1 1/2".  All four of mine had to be tinkered with to run reliably.  From extractor tension, recoil spring weight, mag catch height, I had to tweak it to get 100%

Never heard of anyone messing with extractor tension before on a conversion... swapping springs? Or cutting them?

Dave

Dcforman wrote:Never heard of anyone messing with extractor tension before on a conversion... swapping springs? Or cutting them?

Dave

I did on a conversion for a Sig 220.  The spring force on the extractor was so strong, the hook would resist moving outward when in the barrels extractor cut.  Complete slide closing was not a sure thing.
I cut some coils off and all was well after that.