Junior Colt Conversion Unit "fitting" and range report.

[tmd17]

After a long and frugal search, I recently obtained a Junior Colt Conversion Unit. The Conversion Unit converts the .25 ACP Junior Colt to .22 Short, and is comprised of an assembled slide, captured recoil spring assembly, .22 short barrel, and a .22 short magazine.

I was surprised and a little frustrated when I first got the unit as the .22 barrel would not "twist into" the lug area when the conversion slide was mounted onto the .25 frame. After much measuring, muttering, head scratching, and MANY part swaps and combinations of slides/frames/barrels I was able to discern the problem. Then I began the file a little, fit, file a little fit, process between the lugs under the conversion barrel and the lug receiver portion of the frame I planned to used. After many many MINOR adjustments I got the two to mate properly, then polished/lapped it with some Flitz. Now to the range to see how she ran.

As my dearly departed pawpaw used to say, even a blind squirrel can find a nut from time to time! The unit functioned fine, and I was pleased with the off hand 1.25" group from three paces.

[smkummer]

I bought an original 22 short junior a few years ago because of the cost difference between 22 short and 25 acp. My 1908 vest pocket 25 fills the bill for a Colt in 25 auto. Velocity with both guns is in the 700-750 range. My 22 short will not fire the aquila ammo consistantly, sad because I was getting it from a distributor for $14 per 500 rounds. It fires the Remington about 100%, win. ammo about 95%. I don't think my 1908 vest pocket has ever jammed. But the junior is almost as reliable except when fed the hard primer ammo. It appears everyone likes shooting the little mouse gun.