Quality/Value Comparison of 1911 Conversions

I have several 22 conversions. They all shoot well, are reliable and accurate, and they all feel good. I shoot them all well (Bullseye). My question is, which is better? Are there significant differences in quality? Does on have a part that tends to break more frequently? I am not looking for philosophical answers like "the one you like best, " or "you answered your own question." Is there a difference between them?

1) Marvel Precision
2) Old Marvel (pre Marvel Precision)
3) Marvel Pro (Advantage Arms)
4) Nelson

I think that my real question is "how good is the Marvel Pro? It is a great barrel (<0.5"@50 yds), but it is built on an AA Slide.

Any insight is appreciated.
Thanks,
Gregg

https://2img.net/h/i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y500/gregg26/Conversions_zpsbv3axjif.jpg

I only have one, it is all I have ever needed.
Marvel unit 1 on a SA lower using GSG magazines.
No lock back and have to slingshot the slide to load, no big deal if you understand the operation of your pistol.
It just runs and runs on CCI-SV, Center X and Eley.
Will just keep using it cause no reason to change.
YMMV

Clarence

Shoot them till you wear them out.

If just between what you listed, Nelson by far is better than anything the current marvel company is producing and the nelson is a updated version of all those others but IMO you left out the "best" one, Chambers Custom, one of his conversions was just used to break a long time NRA record. More expensive than the rest but the best most always is

http://chamberscustom.com/22-conversion-units/

gregg28 wrote:I have several 22 conversions. They all shoot well, are reliable and accurate, and they all feel good. I shoot them all well (Bullseye). My question is, which is better? Are there significant differences in quality? Does on have a part that tends to break more frequently? I am not looking for philosophical answers like "the one you like best, " or "you answered your own question." Is there a difference between them?

1) Marvel Precision
2) Old Marvel (pre Marvel Precision)
3) Marvel Pro (Advantage Arms)
4) Nelson

I think that my real question is "how good is the Marvel Pro? It is a great barrel (<0.5"@50 yds), but it is built on an AA Slide.

Any insight is appreciated.
Thanks,
Gregg

https://2img.net/h/i1277.photobucket.com/albums/y500/gregg26/Conversions_zpsbv3axjif.jpg

 those all yours gregg?  If so you should take them apart and give us some side by side pictures =]

I hane gone through owning conversions by Marvel Precision, Advantage Arms, and Nelson.  All fit and ran on different lowers. 

The MP included an early non-lockback unit of the era where the extractor would eventually eat into the chamber.  And also the steel lockback model.  Both were very accurate with .6 or smaller MP test buttons.  Although I could never duplicate that on the Ransom.  Best average was 1" with Eley.  Most everything else was 1.5 -2" getting what you paid for.  Both gave me some jams.  And I find I have to have a lockback (don't make this an issue here) and I did not care for the recoil feel of the steel slide. 

The AA units included the early models that shot great but broke the slide stop insert twice.  I have one AA now it has the newer rectangular side plate as a stop insert.  It has a barrel only from Bob Marvel with a .4 test from Bob.  Shoots great but I cannot duplicate the .4 test.  Again about +/-1" is the best Ransom I can do. So far so good.  I also had an AA from Bob Marvel called the Custom Pro.  But I sold it.  The AA with the BM barrel shoots great and I plan on keeping it.

The Nelson units are all great, accurate and have not jammed at all.  One Nelson is the Bob Marvel Custom Pro II.  It's also great.  The BMCPII came with a good test group but I do not recall the number.  Again my best Ransom groups are +/- 1" with Eley. 

From my hand all the units shoot fine except the occasional jams with the Marvel Precision.  Less jams with the AA and never with the Nelson.

I'm guessing they used a fixed rest of some sort that clamps around the front of the slide.

I have an early marvel, circa 1995. It started life as a non lock back unit, but the slide cracked and I had it fitted with the steel slide lock back. It has shot HM scores, but I'm starting to have some issues with it. If I oil the ammo (all ammo in the mag), it runs just fine. If I dont, I get slide over rim with bullet lodged on feed ramp failure. I'm using gsg mags but kimber plastic, marvel plastic, and Promag plastic all have the same issue to a greater or lesser extent... I gave up on metal mags long ago...

Any thoughts on how to resolve?

Assuming same frame since 1995 and no burrs on frame or slide, I'd look into the recoil spring weakening to the point it can't pull the slide and bullet forward. I would doubt ramp wear but it would be a place to look also.

Yes, same frame. Ramp and chamber were first things I looked at, both look good. I was thinking if anything the spring was too strong as the round doesn't seem to be getting high enough to be grabbed by the slide, or the slide isn't comming back far enough to grab the rim...

james r chapman wrote:

beautiful pistols!

C.Perkins wrote:I only have one, it is all I have ever needed.
Marvel unit 1 on a SA lower using GSG magazines.
No lock back and have to slingshot the slide to load, no big deal if you understand the operation of your pistol.
It just runs and runs on CCI-SV, Center X and Eley.
Will just keep using it cause no reason to change.
YMMV

Clarence

beautiful pistol!