GSG ATI 1911s in 22LR Vs The 85% Browning Vs Colt/Walther

[wvsig]

I am considering buying one of these for plinking and range time to save some money vs 9mm ammo. The beavertail looks hideous to me but the rest looks ok. They can still be had for $269.

I was also looking a the Colt Gold Cup but I understand that they are discontinued. These bump to $400

Then the Browning which can be had for around $400. Downside to this one is the GI type sights.

To my eyes the Browning is the best looking but the sights are not ideal. The price on the ATI/GSG is appealing but the gun cosmetically is not great. Has anyone shot these back to back. Own more than one? I am looking for reasonable reliability. They are 22LRs so I understand that they all will be somewhat ammo sensitive. I would love to hear peoples opinions on these.

I keep going back and forth between a caliber conversion kit or a dedicated 22LR. I have a Ruger MKII and it is a nice gun but it is not a great trainer beyond sight picture and trigger press.

 

[ronn47]

I have a Kimber kit that I've run on several 1911 frames with no issues.

 

[BigWaylon]

If you find yourself near Charlotte, stop by and pick up my GSG and borrow it for awhile.

 

[NKD]

Ruger 22/45

 

[Red Marley]

I have the Browning and it's one of my favorites. Mine is one of the early ones, and it's never had a hiccup despite being fed an assortment of old/cheap ammo. Frame on this one is metal, don't know if they still are; the 1911-380s have a polymer frame. Learn to use GI sights, it's good practice . There are better pistols for bullseye shooting but that's not what it is for. The 7/8 size is perfect for small hands or short fingers.

 

[Jbmoney21]

I have the GSG and I have been completely satisfied with it. Reliability has been great . I bought mine years back, not sure if anything has changed since then.

 

[BatteryOaksBilly]

I have the Browning. Like @Red Marley , mine is 100%. It is smaller and may not relate to a good practice gun for the full size. I had the Gold Cup German thing. It was cheezey looking and you could see daylight under the front sight.
If you want The Best...get a Marvel .22 1911 conversion. They come with a test target. Mine shows 5/8ths of an inch at 50 yards. They cost considerably more. As You well know, Quality costs. All you have to do is Look at one mated to a gun to realize what your money went to. I have several High Standards, had a S&W 41 with every barrel, and even the Colt NM Woodsman. None shot like the Marvel does. Really.

 

[Alleycat44]

I owned the Colt Walther and the Colt Walther Gold Cup(same gun but with lipstick) and could not believe how inaccurate these pistols were. I will say I never had any FTF or FTE whatsover but I don't think they would be good practice guns. I purchased them for the same purpose but was dissapointed. They are pretty guns though and as soon as I come across a youngster who is developing a passion for our sport, I will probably make their day and give him/her one of them. I've nevre shot one but I would imagine that the Browning is likely a superior product.

 

[Geerubb]

+1 for ruger 22/45. It's reliable and the best seller for a reason. I used to think that I needed a 22 pistol that looked/acted like my full size center fire guns. After I spent about 2yrs only shooting my 22 gums for competition, I found that I was a MUCH better center fire shooter as well. Shooting is shooting - and the skills learned on the 22s will transfer over.

If you must stay with something that looks like a 1911, then I would start you towards the gsg. There's a company now that sells upgrades to make it more reliable - CWA. you can even fully convert it to a double stack raceguns, if you want.

 

[Tim]

I have the GSG and I have been completely satisfied with it. Reliability has been great . I bought mine years back, not sure if anything has changed since then.

same here

 

[Mike Overlay]

same here

Im also in this camp.

 

[GregB]

I've still got some mini mags and winchester hi velocity 22 ammo that I'm saving for the next 1911/22 conversion. I had one for a while and it was fun, but required hi velocity ammo to run reliably. Mine was a Kimber Conversion for what it was/is worth. Gotta buy another 1911 first. LOL. I don't have any experience with the others mentioned.

I've got a Mark IV and the wife's M&P 22 compact that is really growing on me, makes me want the full size....

 

[Hammer12b]

I’ve got a GSG and Ruger. 22/45. I’ll take the Ruger hands down!

 

[JRV]

I just cut and crushed a GSG frame for disposal. Buyer beware.

The frame and slide are made of pure pot metal. My slide stop notch rounded over through normal use. Removal of the mainspring housing pin with a brass punch, resting over a polymer assembly jig, was a big enough shock that the lower ear of the frame broke off, revealing a void in the casting.

The GSGs are incompatible with many normal 1911 parts, like leaf springs, mainspring housings, and triggers. The stock plastic sights are garbage, and there is basically one discontinued aftermarket option available in that respect. Too bad, because if you buy an accurizing kit that removes the excessive slop from the bushing end of the barrel, you’re required to replace the sights. The thumb safety pad is a giant rectangle with unbroken rectangle with sharp corners, so it is far from comfortable to operate.

Just buy a Ruger 22/45 or a quality conversion kit. The GSGs are not inexpensive. They’re cheap.