Colt (Walther) vs Browning .22

P

psyfly

New member
Browning has a $50 rebate offer and CDNN has a great combo deal that has me itching to replace the Browning 1911-22 I unwisely sold to another TFL member (glad you like it).

However, I note that the Colt (Walther) 1911 "Gold Cup" .22 is about $100 cheaper right now.

So, for those knowledgeable about both; is the Browning that much better?

Will
 
Last edited:
I think that while Walther imports the gun, they're built by Umarex, which also builds other .22s. Umarex owns Walther.

Umarex also builds the Walther PPK/S .22, the Colt M4 (AR15).22, the H&K 416 D145RS (AR15) .22, and the Umarex version of the H&K MP5 (A5) in .22. I suspect there are others.

I've heard nothing but good things about the Colt-marked .22. And the long-gun (firing) relicas are praised for being well-made and not feeling like toys. They all seem to be pretty accurate. Here's a pretty extensive review of the Colt 1911 .22:

[URL="http://www.gunblast.com/Colt-1911-22.htm"]http://www.gunblast.com/Colt-1911-22.htm[/URL]

If I remember correctly, the Browning has a non-metal frame; I've not handled a Colt .22, and can't find a description anywhere of the Colt's frame's material/construction. The Umarex Colt is full-size; the Browning is a bit smaller.

They both appear to be fine weapon.
 
Last edited:
The Browning 85% scale 1911-22 (available with aluminum alloy or polymer frames) is a better-built pistol than the potmetal Umarex-made Colt pistol.

That said, both pistols have decent reputations (especially compared to some of Umarex's other garbage products), but I wouldn't expect the Umarex Colt to last a lifetime.
 
I haven't shot a Browning 1911-22 (but I have one on order from that CDNN sale). I have shot the Colt/Umarex/Walther 1911-22. the Kimber Rimfire (both the complete pistol and a Kimber conversion on a 1911 receiver) and a couple of Ciener conversions on 1911 receivers. Oh, and the Chiappa 1911-22, which is (IMHO) total garbage.

The Colt/Umarex shoots well, but I can't quite wrap my head around the completely non-1911 procedure for field stripping. The barrel on that one is on a fixed riser and it's an integral part of the receiver. In fact, it's a live fire version of a 9mm blank-firing "1911" that Umarex was selling for a number of years before they introduced the .22 pistol. It shoots well but I could never bring myself to buy one. The Kimber Rimfire is a quality pistol (all aluminum) and it shoots well, but I've shot airsoft 1911s that were heavier and felt more like shooting a real firearm. And IMHO it's also over-priced.

So until the CDNN deal came through my screen I had settled on using Ciener conversions on low-end receivers. The result is a good shooting, affordable "1911-22" that weighs enough to feel like a real gun, and doesn't break the bank.

Review of the Colt/Umarex, with photos: http://ezine.m1911.org/showthread.php?86-Colt-Government-1911-22LR-by-Umarex-USA

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • Umarex22018.jpg
    Umarex22018.jpg
    145 KB · Views: 1,253
Last edited:
There is no comparison in quality, the Walther pistol is more complicated, made of Zmack or whatever the spelling for the mystery material, and is bill boarded with warnings and crap. My 1911 had failure to feed problems but has worked into an 90% positive feed now with only an occasional FTF.
The Browning 1911-22 Compact is quite the pistol from it's unique size that fits my hand perfectly, 100% reliability, aluminum construction, checkered rosewood grips, and is quite accurate for a plinker. I am looking for a flap holster like a GI. Issue only smaller.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top