1919 22LR Trainer Conversion Operation RKI's?

[Grasshopper]

Hi Folks,

 

I've been interested in the 22LR conversion for the 1919 for a number of years. To that end I've been collecting parts (cartridge adapters, clips, belt adapters, bolt, firing pin, etc) to possible run a 1919 in 22LR. Aside from comments to the amount of work involved in preparing the cartridges & belts, is there anyone out there that has much experience running the conversion?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Grasshopper

[novectaner]

I have a 22LR kit I use in my 17A1. I have found the gun needs a fairly hot 22LR to function reliably. I use CCI Stingers and the gun runs at a higher cyclic rate than when firing 30-06. The ammo is dirty and will foul the action. When the "cup" portion where the piston goes gets plated with lead I have used a 1" end mill and hand turned out the lead. There's a few tech manuals which will describe how to setup the conversion.

[Grasshopper]

Hi novectaner,

 

Thanks for the information. I'm glad you have yours running. I've started using M-22 Winchester in some of my other F/A conversions that need some extra push. They have been the cleanest 22's I've run. As many as 900 rounds w/o cleaning with a can on the gun. Little powder residue in my applications.

 

In your experience, about how many rounds between cleaning the "cup" of lead build-up in your 1917A1? I realize every gun is different, but I can use all the help I can get! (Just trying to figure out about when I can expect it to stop running.)

 

Thanks,

 

Grasshopper

[novectaner]

Hi Grasshopper,

You can easily run over 1M before needing to do the de-leading thing and maybe longer depending on how much gap you have set on the piston. I ran my at the Fall 11 Knob creek shoot. I typically do mostly 22LR on the Friday of the event. I call it 22 Friday. I run my LM7, the converted Browning 17A1. I want to get a 22LR conversion for my MAC10 as well.

[Grasshopper]

Hi novectaner,

 

Thank you very much for the information! The details of running the kits are hard to find w/o running one yourself. I will be gathering/making the remainder of the parts for my 1919/22 conversion.

 

Sincerely,

 

Grasshopper

[novectaner]

Loading the subcaliber cartridges in the belts is a pain. I made a part that replaces the shuttle on the 1918 belt loader and can use the loader. It is not nearly as automatic as when loading 30-06 and I load one at a time, but it does a good job inserting the subcaliber into the prongs and also pushed the 22 lr case flush with the rear of the subcaliber.

[emmagee1917]

Loading the subcaliber cartridges in the belts is a pain. I made a part that replaces the shuttle on the 1918 belt loader and can use the loader. It is not nearly as automatic as when loading 30-06 and I load one at a time, but it does a good job inserting the subcaliber into the prongs and also pushed the 22 lr case flush with the rear of the subcaliber.

 

I think a video of this in action would be nice . :>)

Chris

[Grasshopper]

Hi novectaner,

 

I can see that the 1918 loader modified would be very handy. Sort of drop it in and let it do the work of pushing the 22 home into the adapter as well as pushing the adapter into the prongs in the belt adapter. Very good idea.

 

Thanks again!,

 

Grasshopper