Using .22LR as a training tool?

[JakiChan]

I'm almost ready to make my first sidearm purchase and leaning towards the P226. One thing I was pondering was also getting the .22 conversion kit. The advantage to this seems to be cost. However the kit costs $350. I did some math, and at 22c/rnd for 9mm, 4c/rnd for .22, and $350 for the kit the break even point is 1922 rounds. That sounds like a lot to me. But maybe I'm wrong.

Is there any reason *not* to train with a .22 kit for the same gun I'm going to shoot in a larger caliber? Would I just be wasting money?

[Millions-Knives]

What if you can't find any 9mm?

And if you feel you're competent to introduce someone to the sport who may be recoil sensitive? (You only have 1 handgun)

You feel like spending the ENTIRE day at the range plinking until your thumbs bleed?

I think a .22lr kit is worth it.

*I completely avoided the training thing... LOL
The trigger should remain the same... more range time!

[BamBam-31]

Using a .22lr as a training tool is priceless. It goes beyond the $$$. Yes, it's definitely cheaper to shoot .22lr vs. centerfire, so you get lots more trigger time. That's huge. What you also get is reduced recoil, reduced blast, reduced flip, all of which leads to less flinch. As a training aid, a .22lr is invaluable.

I'm not familiar with Sig's conversion kits, though. Not sure if they're worth the money. For that price, however, you can buy a Ruger Mk. III or a Browning Buckmark. Then you'd have TWO guns. Worth a look, at the very least.

[JakiChan]

For that price, however, you can buy a Ruger Mk. III or a Browning Buckmark. Then you'd have TWO guns. Worth a look, at the very least.

The only thing there is then you're learning on a different gun. Completely different ergonomics, etc. At least it would seem to me.

[demo]

use that $350 to buy a reloading press and all the reloading goodies. then shoot for 10 cents a round. and you wont have to worry about the handgun ammo ban. do the math on that

some guys like to practice with 22. but for me, I didn't get better until I started shooting magnums regularly.

[BamBam-31]

The only thing there is then you're learning on a different gun. Completely different ergonomics, etc. At least it would seem to me.

True, but the basics are the same. Sight alignment, trigger control, breathing, etc. With minor tweaking, those principles can transfer readily from platform to platform.

Most people see significant improvement in their pistol shooting by putting aside the centerfires and concentrating on .22lr's and dry firing.

[sholling]

I often use a Browning Buck Mark as practice tool.

[HCz]

the break even point is 1922 rounds. That sounds like a lot to me. But maybe I'm wrong.

Doesn't seem like that many rounds. It will go fast if you practice often enough. Have fun.

[CSACANNONEER]

Personaly, I'd buy a dedicated .22lr pistol before buying a centerfire pistol. Oh yea, 2000 rounds of .22lr is nothing! I'll sometimes go through +500 a day so, I figure 2000 rounds is somewhere between 3 and 10 trips to the range. Look at buying a Ruger or Browning .22lr for $350 or less. I will caution you against buying a plastic .22lr like a mosqiuto, berreta, walther, S&W 21s, etc. I've seen all of them fail within a year when heavily used by regulars at the range I used to work at. The Rugers, Brownings, High Standard, S&W 41s, etc. all hold up really well and you should expect them to last for 100s of 1000s of rounds.

[Bird of Fire]

Every single time I go to the range to shoot my handguns, my ruger MKIII 22/45 comes with me. I warm up with that, and it gets me in the zone before I switch over to my centerfire pistols. It's hands down the best training tool I ever bought.

[mif_slim]

I agree with alot of folks about buying the MK or BuckMark. I have both and my XD40 and I can say that the MK/BM had helped me train alot and switching from plateform to another is a sinch. You'll be a better shooter if you can switch to diffrent gun and shoot the same.

I look at it like this; Its like driving a 5(6) speed car, if you learned how to drive one, you can easily adjust to another 5(6) speed car.

[joelogic]

If you think wasting $350 on a conversion kit is a big deal, wait until you start shooting more. This sport is expensive.

[bombadillo]

Thats not much considering putting down 4 bricks of .22lr is a piece of cake. I could do that easily in a few range sessions.

[Zeke003]

I've got the 226 and 229 with the conversion kits, didn't have any problems with them after the break in and it's helped me a lot. The other guys in the thread are right, you go through 2k of .22 with a quickness.

[Ravenslair]

Everyone should have a .22 for training. As has been stated already, they are great for practicing the fundamentals for very cheap. You will find that your flinching will decrease over time. You get so used to training on a super light recoil gun that once you pick up a "normal" recoiling gun that a lot of it is gone. Plus, it makes it VERY cheap to train the fundamentals. You can pick up a 22/45 on gunbroker for about $300.