Colt 1911 ACE .45-.22LR Conversion Unit

I have a new Colt 1911 Gold Cup Series 70. I recently acquired a Colt Ace Conversion Kit that allows me to fire 22 Long Rifle Ammo. I would like to hear some thoughts about installing a Buffer on the Guide Rod. I know I am shooting a 22 but also want to preserve it. Any input would greatly be appreciated.
cvik

I don't use buffers on any of my 1911 pistols, including my gold cup frame with Colt conversion unit.  The buffers will eventually crumble and leave a mess in the pistol.

On the other hand, Nelson conversions use a buffer. I’ve had one since he brought them to market, and the original buffer lasted for a couple of years use, and never fell apart. May have lasted since I take the unit off and clean it every time it gets used, so the buffer isn’t under tension.
Of course, cheap Chineseum buffers fall apart by design

cvik wrote:I have a new Colt 1911 Gold Cup Series 70. I recently acquired a Colt Ace Conversion Kit that allows me to fire 22 Long Rifle Ammo. I would like to hear some thoughts about installing a Buffer on the Guide Rod. I know I am shooting a 22 but also want to preserve it. Any input would greatly be appreciated.
cvik

My first Day conversion had a buffer.  When I spoke with Bob Day he told me to just use a rubber faucet washer.  They come in a variety of thicknesses and shapes so you should be able to find one that works without causing any malfunctions.  As a bonus, they are quite inexpensive!

Mike

If yours has the floating chamber, be sure to use plated ammo.  Regular lead bullets will weld it to the rest of the barrel.  Ask me how I know. LOL

I dont know about ACE units, but my Advantage Arms buffer fell apart and the unit had a lot of malfunctions. Funny someone mentioned it, but faucer gaskets did not work quite well. Small amount spent on handful of gaskets sealed the deal. I cant recall if it was AA or Nelson, but I spent about $25 on several gaskets, springs and shipped.

Buffers do reduce felt recoil. They can also impact reliability.  For the first 70-80 years of 1911 production there were no buffers. Many rounds later many of these guns are still working.
My hardball 1911 is on its third barrel and bushing and has excess of 10 k rounds with no visible impairment to the frame.
Biggest benefit I think is the one you think you have. It can add confidence.

On AA / Marvel / Nelson units buffers slow down the slide travel. Not so much for recoil, but for proper reliability and feeding.

Colt Ace ... a friend had one of those. I don't remember it being particularly useful, and that was long before I ever started shooting BE.