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In the three gun sport I compete in, we must use a 22. A 45. And a centerfire gun of at least 32 caliber.
Many competitors use their 45 for the centerfire match. Thus eliminating the need .. for a third gun.
Some competitors, use a 22 conversion unit, on their 45 for a couple of reasons.
One, to avoid the full cost, of a match grade 22.
Two, to use the same trigger and grip in all three matches.
I was intrigued with the idea of using the exact same trigger and grip for all three matches.
So I purchased the Nelson 22 conversion unit for my competition 45.
The Nelson units were designed by the legendary gunsmith Bob Marvell.
I purchased the unit with a threaded barrel. And the Weaver style scope rail.
The unit did not come with the Ultradot scope you see. I added that later.
The reason I purchased a threaded barrel is so I could use .. the Nelson barrel weight.
Nelson makes two barrel weights. One is to be used for the iron sight conversion units.
And the other is for the Weaver scope rail conversion units. Such as the one I purchased.
The barrel weight is made of steel and weighs 5 ounces. At first glance, it actually looks like a compensator.
But it is not because none of these openings are actual holes that go all the way through.
For me this might create a logistical problem, because while
barrel weights are allowed in my sport, compensators are not.
So I just have to be sure the match director is aware this is just a barrel weight.
To attach the barrel weight is simple. Remove the thread protector.
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And screw on the barrel weight.
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The small hex bolt you see in the bottom of the weight, is not to secure the unit to the barrel.
The weight comes with an adapter preinstalled.
The hex bolt is used to secure the adapter to the weight.
My unit came with two magazines. And I purchased two more.
It also comes with a magazine loading tool that is ambidextrous.
Each of the followers have a hole in the bottom,
where you can insert the loading tool.
I really like the large size ... of the tool.
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This is the takedown tool. It is used to both install the conversion unit and remove it.
The slide stop that comes with the conversion unit actually comes in two pieces.
The slide stop. And the slide stop pin.
This is very helpful when installing the unit.
It comes standard with a 9 pound recoil spring. 8 pound and 10 pound springs are available.
To install the unit, first, make sure the gun is unloaded.
Magazine out. Chamber empty. Now remove the upper.
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Using the takedown tool. Make sure the .. recoil rod is a little loose.
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When installing the unit ..
this opening on the barrel .. must line up .. with the slide stop opening on the frame.
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Once the openings are lined up. Place the slide stop, on the frame.
You will notice the opening in the slide stop, does not match up with the opening in the frame.
Use your thumb ...
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To pull the slide stop up against it's spring detent on the frame.
And once the slide stop, and the frame, and this .. and the unit are lined up, insert the slide stop pin.
You want to make sure that it is fully inserted.
And the slide stop, and the slide stop pin are flush against the frame.
Now take, the takedown tool.
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Tighten ...
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the guide rod. And once it's tight, give it another quarter or half turn.
For most people, you would be done at this point.
But my custom 1911, was designed to hold the 45 magazines high for reliable feeding.
Because the Nelson magazines, are for the much smaller 22.
They had to be designed to hold the 22 round high.
Because of this, I encountered a problem when I inserted
the Nelson magazine, and tried to release the slide.
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The slide would not close.
This is because, the magazine catch,
on the frame is holding the Nelson magazine too high.
And this caused the magazine to push up .. on the ejector. And this prevented the slide from closing.
Let's take a close look at that.
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I contacted Larry Nelson. And he informed me this was an issue experienced
by about 10% or less of the 1911's out there.
He gave me two options.
Either permanently modify the Nelson magazines. So they would work with my existing magazine catch.
Or. Purchase .. a standard 1911 magazine catch and use it.
I chose the option of purchasing a standard magazine catch.
What this means is, whenever I install the conversion unit. I also need to change the magazine catch.
And when I reinstall the 45 upper, I need to change the magazine catch back to my original one.
That sounds like a lot of work. But changing out the magazine catch is easier than removing the upper.
Let me show you.
Using a small screwdriver.
Insert it into the head .. of the catch lock screw.
And while pushing on the magazine release.
Turn the screwdriver counterclockwise.
Remove the catch.
And insert the new one.
Take a screwdriver.
Slowly push on .. the magazine release. And turn the screwdriver clockwise.
When it snaps into place, it's in.
Now we can check for operation.
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Two features of the Nelson unit that I like.
Are the unit is .. dry fire safe.
And the slide, will lock back, once the last round has been fired.
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In order to keep track, of the slide stops and mag releases.
I've taken two old 35 millimeter film containers and labeled them. One for 45. And one for 22.
And in the 45 one, I keep the 45 slide stop and the magazine release.
And in the 22, I keep the Nelson slide stop and slide stop pin and the standard mag release.
I took the unit to the range, and I used about 15 rounds to roughly sight it in.
Then I shot about 75 rounds, to start breaking it in.
After that, I fired 20 rounds for effect.
Let's watch that.
BANG!
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The next target you see, was shot on the 50 yard line.
It was ten shots, in a little less than ten minutes.
I'm not going to show you a video, of me actually shooting it.
Because ten minutes of watching somebody shoot ten shots, can get a little boring.
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Removing the conversion unit is simple. First, make sure the gun is unloaded.
Magazine out. Nothing in the chamber.
Then use the takedown tool, to loosen the guide rod.
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Then remove the slide stop.
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Now remove the conversion unit.
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I'm going to put away .. the 22 slide stop.
Later I will put the 22 mag catch in here.
I going to pull out .. the 45 slide stop. And its magazine catch.
Now we're going to install the 45 upper.
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If you recall, we also have to change out the mag release.
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Now we can check for operation.
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And our 45 is now back all together.
I'm going to put the mag release I used for the conversion unit.
In with the slide stop for the conversion unit.
Now remember the vast majority of you will not need to be changing your mag releases.
According to Larry Nelson, this only happens for 10% or less of the 1911s out there.
Breaking down the unit for cleaning is easy.
Use one hand ... hold back .. the slide some.
And keep the thumb on the spring. Now we completely remove ... the guide rod.
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And you can remove the spring. And the recoil buffer.
And you separate the components. Barrel and slide, for cleaning.
Reassembly after cleaning, unfortunately is not as easy as disassembly.
Easy enough, you can reconnect, barrel and slide.
Difficult part, comes in .. reinstalling the spring and the guide rod.
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You can't put the guide rod all the way through the spring.
Because then you can't get the spring in.
But there's no way you're going to be able to get to spring lined up
straight and then insert the guide rod later.
It's a balancing act .. between ...
moving the guide rod in some.
Compressing the spring. Moving it in some more. Compressing it again.
Until everything is lined up.
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When reinstalling the guide rod, don't tighten it down. Because to install it on
your unit, you do have to loosen it up first.
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But if the recoil buffer is not up against the barrel lug.
You want to go ahead and just push it on down.
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At this point ...
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your unit is back together.
I found the Nelson conversion unit to be of very high quality.
I am enthusiastic about its accuracy.
I found it simple to install my 1911 frame.
And I look forward to using it for many years to come.
I hope this video was useful to you. And thank you for watching.