Nelson versus marvel conversion.

I've had a Nelson conversion for almost a year. So far I've been very happy, only malfunctions I experience are right after cleaning and typically only the first round of two, fte or stovepipe. I've only tested accuracy at 25 yards and if I remember it as about 3/4" for 10 shots.

I'm looking to get a second 22 conversion pistol. Question is do I stick with the Nelson or go with a Marvel. First time I was in a rush and on a budget. This new pistol may knock my Nelson 1911 into backup and practice duty so price and time aren't an issue.

I'm a big fan of the Nelson. I've never shot a Marvel but I've seen and held one. Looked one over. It's not all that different from the Nelson. The Nelson is a Bob Marvel design. And Larry and his company are top notch people. I use one with a dot for 2700 and I ordered a second barrel for my Iron sighted rib so I can use it as a second option for EIC. Although the iron sighted rib is a little light for me. I wouldn't mind a little more weight in the front.

I've had 2 Marvel unit 1's and am currently shooting a Nelson.  I like the heavier weight of the Nelson, although I had a steel compensator on the Marvel which brought the weight up.

Either one will serve you well.

I'd give the Nelson family a call on your "freshly cleaned" issues.  Their customer service is excellent.
Allen

Even if it's a match the first round or two are always slow fire so never an issue. Its EXTREMELY reliable after that, so much so I don't recall any failures after the first magazine.

Plus 1 for Marvel Precision

I've used one for going on 13 years now and like it quite a bit.  Mine is the non lock back model and I still use the Colt magazines.  The original dot site rib is aluminum which I found too light so I added a steel model from Rock River.  In 2010 I added the Marvel iron sight top which is also aluminum. It is too light as well but I just found out that Marvel offers both a combo rib and an iron sight rib made out of brass for extra weight.  I will be ordering one of these soon to give it a little extra heft.  Tim - since both conversions are based on the Marvel design, I would bet the brass ribs would work on your Nelson.  

It has never given me any problems in function but these old models had a flaw where the extractor would eventually cut a notch into the barrel.  When that happened, I sent it off to Marvel and they fitted a new barrel.  I did pay for the barrel but they changed it and changed out the extractor to the new style (so this problem won't happen again) for no charge.  They are great people to deal with and are at Camp Perry every year so they support our sport.  

Good luck.
John

John Dervis wrote:Plus 1 for Marvel Precision

I've used one for going on 13 years now and like it quite a bit.  Mine is the non lock back model and I still use the Colt magazines.  The original dot site rib is aluminum which I found too light so I added a steel model from Rock River.  In 2010 I added the Marvel iron sight top which is also aluminum. It is too light as well but I just found out that Marvel offers both a combo rib and an iron sight rib made out of brass for extra weight.  I will be ordering one of these soon to give it a little extra heft.  Tim - since both conversions are based on the Marvel design, I would bet the brass ribs would work on your Nelson.  

It has never given me any problems in function but these old models had a flaw where the extractor would eventually cut a notch into the barrel.  When that happened, I sent it off to Marvel and they fitted a new barrel.  I did pay for the barrel but they changed it and changed out the extractor to the new style (so this problem won't happen again) for no charge.  They are great people to deal with and are at Camp Perry every year so they support our sport.  

Good luck.
John

Saw that happen to a shooters marvel(in guessing it was an old one?). Marvel told him they couldn't do anything about it since something in the design had changed and they no longer had products for it.  He was forced to buy a new conversion. He picked up a Nelson. I also heard some old aluminum marvels slides had some cracking issues?

They are similar designs and both are accurate and reliable if setup correctly. The Nelson is the newest design by Bob.  If someone gave me one to shoot I would happily take either.

I am now Marvel-less.  Only one Advantage Arms and 4 Nelsons now.  I went through 3 Marvels.  All three brands shoot good.   The Marvel worked for me only with well doctored Metalform magazines to be just like Colt mags.  The early metal mags from Marvel had lousy lips.  I also had to have the slide lock back.  Personal choice, not for debate.  One of the Marvels was the steel lockback.  But it's recoil feel from the slide weight was not for me.  Personal choice again.

The Advantage Arms worked very well except breaking two slide stop inserts of the early design.  The one AA still here has the later square plate design at the stop.  And it has a real Bob Marvel setup barrel. 

My Nelson adventure started with a Nighthawk that Bob Marvel said to have Larry upgrade the barrel.  And Larry did.  The Nelsons have all been excellent.  One reminder for you.  Marvel ribs will fit the Nelson with one new hole drilled in the rib and a radius filed at the left rear. 

So obviously, I choose Nelson.

A VOTE FOR THE MARVELS.

I OWN 3. ALL I HAVE PERSONALLY RANSOM REST TESTED AND SHOOT UNDER A HALF INCH AT 50 YDS (LAPUA SIGNUM). TRUE THE FIRST MODELS HAD AN EXTRACTOR ISSUE AND BAD MAGS. THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO. NOW WITH THE GSG MAGS THAT ARE OUT ( WHAT MARVEL NOW SELLS) THEY ARE FLAWLESS.

A FRIEND OF MINE HAS A NELSON WHICH HAS HAD A BARREL BEEN REPLACED (FOR NOT BEING ACCURATE). IT STILL WOULDN'T SHOOT . WERE TALKING OVER 5" (20SHOT GROUP) AT 50YDS. IT'S BEEN AT NELSON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. STILL NOTHING.I GAVE HIM ONE OF MY MARVELS TO USE IN THE MEAN TIME. JP

I have both. They are very dependent on what bottom they are used with. Seems to be the magazine release and it's location. I'm not a fan of the Nelson plastic magazines. Have used both Colt and GSG mags in the Marvel- they work OK but don't lock back the slide. The Nelson is not as reliable. The Marvel Ransom Rests slightly better, but neither is that good with CCI std.

Dronning put me on to Pro Mag magazines for my Marvel. These have worked and held up better than anything I've tried.

I've owned the Marvel for five years now. Had a few breakdowns. Firing pins and two cracked slides. My gun has a tremendously high round count though. Service from Marvel Precision has been outstanding. 

That said, I have a Nelson on order. I'm anxious to make comparisons.

Jim

JKR wrote:Dronning put me on to Pro Mag magazines for my Marvel. These have worked and held up better than anything I've tried.

I've owned the Marvel for five years now. Had a few breakdowns. Firing pins and two cracked slides. My gun has a tremendously high round count though. Service from Marvel Precision has been outstanding. 

That said, I have a Nelson on order. I'm anxious to make comparisons.

Jim

Where do you find Pro Mag magazines?

I got them at Cheaper than Dirt but I'd guess they could be easily found at other places.

Jim

So I guess the only consensus is that there is no consensus lol.

zanemoseley wrote:So I guess the only consensus is that there is no consensus lol.

I think the Nelson is more than capable of shooting outstanding targets at either distance. It's well weighted, the customer support is fantastic, plenty of options (threaded barrel, irons, rails, fiber optic, etc.) and it has the the last shot hold open. Goes on easy enough. I'd say get another Nelson. Stick with what you know. Parts are readily available, and Larry is a great guy to talk with if you ever need help or have questions. A different conversion means, different mags, and different parts or tools. At least with a second Nelson you don't need to buy a bunch more mags. And if something happens to one unit you have a second to borrow parts from until you get new parts. Like a spring or something. Not that something would happen but ANYTHING COULD happen.

+1 on Nelson I own 2 Marvels and a Nelson, I'm replacing the Marvel I use for EIC matches with another Nelson.

- Dave

I can't speak about the newer, lock back version but my Marvel unit runs flawlessly with any magazine I have tried.  I use the Colt Ace magazines I got with it most of the time but I have tried the GSG, Kimber (plastic) and Ceiner (heavy aluminum) and all have worked 100%. For a couple of years I used the Ceiners for practice sessions so they got a ton of use.  These required the slide to be retracted and released by had hand because the rounds are indexed to the rear of the magazine.  Dropping the slide with the slide release would not pick the round up but firing worked fine.

For what it's worth, I'm using a dedicated Rock River lower.  

John

dronning wrote:+1 on Nelson I own 2 Marvels and a Nelson, I'm replacing the Marvel I use for EIC matches with another Nelson.

- Dave

Dave, can you comment on the differences you've experiences, especially in regards to accuracy.