Understanding that prepping and the training that goes along with it can be expensive, I thought it would be prudent to do articles and reviews on products we can buy that will actually save us money in the long run and help us prepare more effectively.
This time we will evaluate the Advantage Arms .22 caliber conversion kit for the Glock 21. It's no secret that the Glock 21 in .45 caliber is a reliable combat weapon but it is extremely expensive to shoot. $20.00 or more for a box of 50 rounds (50 rounds can be used in a few minutes). Oh, you can buy a reloader for about $300.00 and then spend more on primers, powder, bullets, a tumbler, scales, etc., to produce safe, consistent .45 caliber reloads, or you can spend $275.00 on an Advantage Arms .22 caliber conversion kit. The kit includes a replacement slide, barrel, magazine, and cleaning kit. It assembles in exactly the same way the original parts assemble after cleaning and it can be ordered through the mail without all the traditional background checks and waiting periods normally associated with the purchase of a complete handgun. Once you pay the initial $275.00 you remove the .45 cal. magazine, barrel, slide and buffer spring, replace it with those from the conversion kit and the training begins - so do the savings. If your anything like me, you will shoot 250 to 300 rounds each time you go to the range. Thats at least $120 in .45 ammo. Since .22 ammo can be purchased for less than $20.00 for 525 rounds it's easy to see that the initial investment can be recouped with the first two trips to the range.
We found the Advantage Arms kit to be as reliable as it was fun (and cheap) to shoot. It was accurate at distances normally associated with pistol combat, and didn't cause the fatigue that some experience with heavier, large caliber pistols. It was also noticibly easier to get past the anticipation of recoil blamed for most instances where the trigger is pulled quickly rather than squeezed. Shooting scores will undoubtedly go up for those who take advantage of this valuable training tool. The fit and finish of this product is first rate. Machining marks are minimal and it fit as well as those coming directly from Glock. Shipping took 3 days from the date of order and it came with it's own storage case. An outstanding product overall and one that we recommend.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
14 comments:
I didn't know they made them. Do they make them for 1911 colts?
Yes they do. To see more go here.
http://www.advantagearms.com/
20 bucks for 50 rounds of .45's isn't bad I don't think.
prepper2k12 I agree you can shoot cheaper with a conversion. Please do tell though where you can buy 45 ammo for $20.00 a box because I would love to buy some at that price. The bulk 22 cal. ammo you mention is fine if all you want to do is hear the gun go off but it has been our experience the accuracy suffers greatly with this ammo. We have found the bulk ammo to be very unpredictable as far as accuracy and have many misfires with it.Further if you have to convert your weapon to go shoot it would be much easier to just purchase a 22 cal. handgun to start with Walther makes a p22 that can be had for around $400.00 with taxes and transfer fees. You can also find used 22 cal. handguns similar to what you are doing cheaper. Just saying it might be wiser to not convert. Also anyone with a particular caliber of gun should practice with that caliber to ensure they are proficient with it.
4:14 PM
Me too. I think I would buy several boxes at that price.
The purpose of converting is:
a) to save money on ammunition, and
b) to train with the same weapon you will use in a bad situation.
you are much better off to train with essentially the same weapon, with the same slide release, magazine release, safety, etc. When something bad happens requiring you to use your firearm for self defense, you will experience an adrenaline surge that inhibits your ability to think. When this happens your body carries out actions repeated over and over during training. It's called muscle memory. You never want to practice with one type of pistol and select another for self defense. It doesn't work. Most law enforcement agencies that permit secondary weapons for off duty use require that they be of the same style they carry on duty for just that reason. As far as the .22 ammo being unreliable or inaccurate? Most preppers will be practicing combat pistol techniques. Up close. 7 - 10 yards. Even out to 15 yards. We're not driving tacks at 100 yards with a handgun. If the round fails to fire...use it as a misfire drill. In spite of the fact the .22 ammo will misfire at a much higher rate than centerfire ammo, we don't experience the number of misfires that would be prohibitive in a training scenario. The really important issue here is to practice with the type of weapon you will defend yourself with. I have a Glock. Many people do. It would be foolish to buy a Walther .22 to train with and then carry a Glock for self defense.
.45 ammo can be had everyday at around $20.00 for 50 rounds. Try this:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/AMM5001-1.html
It would be foolish to buy a Walther .22 to train with and then carry a Glock for self defense.
If anyone uses a .22 for a defensive weapon, they are in for a world of hurt.
If that's all you got then I guess you have no choice.
I want something with some knockdown and penetrating power. A .22 will just piss someone off. And then they will beat you to death with it.
dont know how you shoot,but a .22 to the head stops any deer and i think it will work stop a intruder trying to get in my house.you want to find out,try to come in!
dont know how you shoot,but a .22 to the head stops any deer and i think it will work stop a intruder trying to get in my house.you want to find out,try to come in!
March 10, 2012 7:28 PM
No stupid, I don't want to find out. With a lucky shot a .22 might daze a deer but it certainly won't kill it. And if an intruder has bulky clothing on you're in for a rude surprise.
Wow......it's amazing how the comments to a post can get so far off topic. Shot placement is more important than caliber. But the subject was the fact that you can convert your large bore handgun to a caliber that is less expensive to shoot for training purposes - and it's still the same pistol. Focus folks.
45 ammo on Cheaper than dirt cheapest 50 round box =16.89+14.05 shipping and handling= 30.94. Does not look like $20 a box any more.
If you think a 22cal will not kill a deer you have lost your mind 7:55. Just goes to show how some people have no clue about what they claim to be experts on.
9:26 PM
Just because I don't answer you anymore does not mean you win. I am just tired of your dumb comments.
9:50pm lets look at who is dumb but you will have to go find a mirror for that!
.22 LR ammo kills deer every night somewhere on delmarva and has for a long time.
Also....Wal-mart has .45 ammo for sale.....250 rounds for $99.95. If you break that down into 50 round blocks what does that equal? You don't have to be a math major to see that it would come out to about $20.00 for 50 rounds. Really?
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