.22s for Training

[Snake45]

Great post on this subject this morning, Michael. I agree with you: If you've carefully selected your .22s to be as close to your "real guns" as possible, everything is exactly the same except the recoil.

However, that is significant. I've found that when training with a .22, you MUST make a conscious effort to grip and hold the gun (especially a handgun) exactly the same way you would if it were a CF. With reduced .22 recoil, it's very easy over time to slip into the bad habit of laxing up your grip or stance. Every time you get a sight picture, remind yourself to "grip down" on the thing.

Another tip: Some of us will plan to shoot a few hundred .22s in a session, followed by 50 (or 100 or 20 or whatever number) of "the real thing" centerfire ammo. This (IMHO) is doing it backwards. START your session with the centerfire, which will serve as a reminder of what the "real gun" will do and how you need to practice good grip and stance througout your whole session.

[2HOW]

Many people are buying the conversions for their firearms. Seems like a very practical idea.

[Michael Bane]

100% agree with you, Snake!

You MUST not let yourself get sloppy with the .22, or it will bite you with the real gun. I like your idea of firing the "real" gun first...good idea to put some rounds through your carry gun...

mb

[alfsauve]

And don't forget the lowly    air rifle and pistol.    I purchased my Crosman Mk II just for that purpose.  Indoor practice.   I've since had it rebarreled to .22 and ported so it's formidable in its own right.  Still excellent and inexpensive practice on stance, hold, sight alignment and trigger control.

My air rifles are also great practice especially for position shooting.   I do a lot of sitting and standing practice in the late afternoons from my back porch.

[seeker_two]

I've always wondered why USPSA, IDPA, and SASS never offered any matches using .22lr firearms.....seems like a great way to get more people involved for the first time.....then, when they get hooked, they'll move up to the centerfire guns....

Makes sense....esp. these days.... 

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

With the Steel Challange USPSA will have an official .22 competition.  I have found that several of the ranges I shoot at will let people use a .22 to give it a try, and some will even run a small match with .22's.  However, I see that most people that are shooting .22's to give it a try don't have the number of magazines they need (most only have a couple) and other items to match up with a regular match.  So, I believe that it works best for smaller groups to come up with the introductory events to get people interested. 

Cost wise, I have more wrapped up in my Ruger Mark III to make it a Steel Challange gun than I do in my .40 S&W Limited gun.  Sure ammo is cheaper, but once you invest at that level the cost of match ammo is the least of your concerns.

[Rastus]

Great post on this subject this morning, Michael. I agree with you: If you've carefully selected your .22s to be as close to your "real guns" as possible, everything is exactly the same except the recoil. ..........

Which is a good reason to get a conversion kit, if available.  I got a Sig Mosquito instead..."the best laid plans of....". 

.......However, that is significant. I've found that when training with a .22, you MUST make a conscious effort to grip and hold the gun (especially a handgun) exactly the same way you would if it were a CF. With reduced .22 recoil, it's very easy over time to slip into the bad habit of laxing up your grip or stance. Every time you get a sight picture, remind yourself to "grip down" on the thing. ......

So true.

.............Another tip: Some of us will plan to shoot a few hundred .22s in a session, followed by 50 (or 100 or 20 or whatever number) of "the real thing" centerfire ammo. This (IMHO) is doing it backwards. START your session with the centerfire, which will serve as a reminder of what the "real gun" will do and how you need to practice good grip and stance througout your whole session.

I like to start with centerfire too.  What works best for me is to alternate centerfire and rimfire...that has isolated a lot of bad habits for me...now getting rid of them is another story.  But I do know I have bad habits.