For more "seasoned shooters", do you still shoot .22 or .380 handguns?

[smak28]

My very first handgun was a Sphinx AT-380M and have acquired a couple of .22 handguns for my ex-girlfriend within the last 7yrs. I've been shooting for about 24 years, but much more seriously within last 7 years since taking my 1st training class, which was an eye opener. However, I sold all my .380 handguns and still have my .22lr handguns, but the .22lr handguns don't see the light of day. It's because I don't get any enjoyment from shooting a .380 nor .22 anymore as I prefer shooting at least 9mm handgun (mostly .40). For the more "seasoned shooters" (I know people may have different definitions, but let's just define that as those who have taken at least 3 training classes and/or have done competition shooting), do you still shoot .380 or .22 handguns?

[Mayor McRifle]

Yes to .22LR pistols (and especially yes to .22LR rifles). I shoot them quite a bit, actually. They are great for practice and a lot of fun to shoot.

[eaglemike]

.22 is great for practicing basics. Getting rid of flinching, etc. nothing more fun. I'm not currently competing, but when I was, I shot .22 often. We even used to have a .22 specific action pistol match to work on basics, and provide newcomers a place to get better on the less expensive route. Everyone should have a decent .22.

OTOH, .380? Not a chance. To me, that's a self defense round, concelaed carry round. Practice enough to be proficient, yes (if it's your carry round)! Competition? I've never seen anyone shoot a .380 in competition...... There might be a match somewhere that it would be decent. It will be interesting to hear other's views on this one.

YMMV........

[Widdle]

Yes to .22LR pistols (and especially yes to .22LR rifles). I shoot them quite a bit, actually. They are great for practice and a lot of fun to shoot.

Same. Last time we went to the range I shot a little 9mm, the rest .22LR.

I hate the rifle side at public ranges. So much fail, it’s scary. Matches are much safer.

[Widdle]

.22 is great for practicing basics. Getting rid of flinching, etc. nothing more fun. I'm not currently competing, but when I was, I shot .22 often. We even used to have a .22 specific action pistol match to work on basics, and provide newcomers a place to get better on the less expensive route. Everyone should have a decent .22.

OTOH, .380? Not a chance. To me, that's a self defense round, concelaed carry round. Practice enough to be proficient, yes (if it's your carry round)! Competition? I've never seen anyone shoot a .380 in competition...... There might be a match somewhere that it would be decent. It will be interesting to hear other's views on this one.

YMMV........

[DolphinFan]

Yes.
I have .22LR rifles in both lever action, bolt action, and semi auto to practice with.
I also have .22LR conversion kits for my 1911's, Glock's and Beretta 92FS.
As for .380ACP, a Ruger LCP has recently been my EDC. prior to that it was a S&W 442

[newbutold]

Last new pistol is a 1911-22. Reliable and fun to shoot.

[smak28]

Hmm...I should take my .22lr handguns out next time and see if I enjoy them or not. Still have plenty of .22lr ammo in my ammo stash too.

[Tango_Down]

Absolutely! Highly accurate, low recoil and inexpensive to shoot. I always take at least one .22 with me to the range. I can shoot it while I let the barrels cool down on my other guns.

[smak28]

Last new pistol is a 1911-22. Reliable and fun to shoot.

I have a Browning 1911-22 when this first came out in 2010 or 2011. This is the most reliable .22lr semi-auto handgun that I had ever shot. Ate all different kinds of ammo including sub-sonic ammo.

[trackcage]

Yep, still enjoy both rounds. I don't break them out often, but when I do, it's a couple hundred rounds minimum. Just this morning actually I shot 150 rounds of .380 in addition to the 9mm, 10mm, and .45 I was shooting.

[ojisan]

Shooting .22s lets you practice the basics without getting a flinch.
Then you apply your well-honed basics to larger calibers.

We used to shoot .380s a bunch, the gals loved them (Colt Mustang and Government .380, Iver Johnsons).
Lately just enough .380 to keep the pocket pistol skills up.

[smak28]

Shooting .22s lets you practice the basics without getting a flinch.
Then you apply your well-honed basics to larger calibers.

We used to shoot .380s a bunch, the gals loved them (Colt Mustang and Government .380, Iver Johnsons).
Lately just enough .380 to keep the pocket pistol skills up.

I agree for newbies that .22s allows the practice of the basics, but well "seasoned shooters" should already have that down with the larger calibers. Maybe I'm misunderstanding this, but do you mean you periodically go back to .22s to focus on the basics?

[MyOdessa]

yes to .22LR handguns, own a few of them and practice regularly.
no, to .380 ACP, never owned one,
yes to .32 ACP, own a few of them and practice regularly.

[meno377]

Out of most of my handguns, the single six if still one of the most fun. In the same range day, the 10/22 is a pleasure to shoot after. Shooting IDPA 9mm after shooting 22LR, helps me with flinching.