Frame for .22 Nelson Conversion

I shoot a Nelson Conversion on a dedicated frame for .22 gallery league locally.  I love it and as I'm moderately serious about competing I like having a back up.  I also have a M41 and a Ruger Mk III Competition, but I shoot the 1911 better. I've decided I want a pair of 1911 .22s for this and ordered another Nelson conversion this week.  I have a Kimber 9mm which is kind of my back up to my back up 9mm target gun.  It has an okay trigger from the factory.  Since I own it and just keep it around as a spare I could put the other conversion on it and replace the ignition set with one from KC Crawford.  My other option is to have another dedicated frame.  I have modest skills -  how hard is it to start with a new frame and assemble everything?  I have fit thumb safeties before.  The grip safety seems to me to be the most difficult part.  Don't have to fit the rails for a slide as its a conversion.  
Would this frame work?  I like the way it looks.
https://www.jemguns.com/1911-Extended-Government-Frame_p_30.html
Thanks,
Jeff

although the dedicated lower is nice, (i have an AXI), if you have an xtra 1911, it's much easier to just swap the slides. With a 9 for cf, you can keep the 2 1/2 trigger weight. spend the money on ignition parts if need be.

You would probably enjoy building your own lower. Fitting a beaver tail grip safety will be your biggest challenge. However, you will need a few special tools for the project. If you’re only going to do one for yourself, you’ll need to decide if it’s worth the investment.
JKR

Nice frame from Jem. From tool perspective I see you will need tools to stake plunger and you will need something to lap the rails as they will come oversized. Dremel / files and different grains of sandpaper for beavertail safety unless you want to go with GI (less fitting). Then of course you will need to blast the finish, unless you want to go mirror polish or brushed. In either case you will need to blue or coat the carbon steel. Else it's straighforward as all the holes are cut. You will not need an ejector fit. Seems like a fun project. Necessary? Not really, as you can use one of your 9's and just tune the trigger. Hard? No, but some time investment needed and you will appreciate it way more in the end.

Hmm,  sounds like a good way to spend a Covid winter.  For $60 Jem will fit a grip safety.  I do want an ejector.  Larry Nelson recommends them even though they are nonfunctional.  If you have a burst cartridge or premature ignition you could get blow back out the ejector cut in the slide.  If I got in over my head I could  then have a real gunsmith do it.  Would the Kuhnhausen manuals help?
Jeff

Ejector is easy fit with Dawson reverse drill bit. Makes sense what Larry said. To me the most annoying thing would be sending it out for finishing, or learning hot blue.

I would just have it Cerakoted locally.

I have two Nelson conversions, one iron sights, one optics. Both are on Caspian frames that fit them perfectly. Although the ejector is not needed with the conversion, not having one on the frame leaves an unsightly hole so I glued one in on both frames. At the same time, I glued the plunger tubes in place using Black Max. I have close to 20,000 rounds through one of the pistols and the plunger tube is still holding tight. I glued it on a whim, thinking I would stake it later if it came loose. 
I sure recommend a dedicated frame, especially on a Kimber. Not sure how the firing pin safety will interface with the Nelson although there is a good sized relief area in the slide where the FP safety sits. 
I’ll post pictures of my Nelson/Caspians when I get a chance.

Thanks for the response. My Kimber does not have the Swartz safety - think they are getting away from that. Going to contact some ‘smiths to see about getting a frame built.
Jeff

JNW1 wrote:Thanks for the response.  My Kimber does not have the Swartz safety - think they are getting away from that.  Going to contact some ‘smiths to see about getting a frame built.
Jeff

KC Crawford
Jon Eulette
Steve Huff(AXI)
Come to mind

Here is a Nelson  on a Fusion receiver bought from Brownell's a few years ago. Perfect fit and function. The only modification is a 3.5# trigger job. My scores increased 15%! It came complete as seen in the phot except for the grips! > 's

james r chapman wrote:

JNW1 wrote:Thanks for the response.  My Kimber does not have the Swartz safety - think they are getting away from that.  Going to contact some ‘smiths to see about getting a frame built.
Jeff

KC Crawford
Jon Eulette
Steve Huff(AXI)
Come to mind

Travis at FCW also makes lowers for the conversions.  http://www.fcwguns.com/fcw-1911

KC built my dedicated lower for my Nelson, it's amazing!

Thanks for all the responses.  I've contacted several gunsmiths and am considering having Greg Derr build me a lower.  I 've always loved his work.
Jeff

As promised, here are pictures of my two Nelson/Caspian pistols. The FDE with optic has around 20,000 rounds through it, hence the wear to the Duracoat on thumb and grip safeties. I built both lowers myself out of the parts drawer with C&S hammer/sear sets and WC grip safeties.

Here is a nice frame at a very nice price.  Should be easy build. I would grab it if I didn't need to request another permit.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/888909207

That is a nice frame and the BIN price is pretty good.  I've decided to have Greg Derr build my receiver.  It will be a carbon Caspian frame with top shelf goodies the way I like them.  Can't wait!
I'll shoot the Nelson on my Kimber frame until it has to go to Massachusetts.
Jeff