Which is better to train with, a 22 Revolver or 22 Semiauto?

[gulogulo1970]

I'm about to buy my first 22LR handgun. I've heard shooting 22's can improve your handgun skill. Which is a better choice, Revolver or Auto?

I shoot about 2/3 of my shooting with semiautomatics, 1/3 with revolvers. I'm guessing that a person should get a 22 in the action they shoot with the most. Is this a logical assumption or am I missing something? Any imput will be appreciated.


FYI:Right now what I'm leaning towards in autoloaders: Ruger Mark II Government 5.5" or Sig Sauer Trailside Target 6"; in 22LR revolvers I'm leaning towards: Ruger SP-101 4" or Colt Diamondback 4" or 6".

[crawfish]

Get the .22lr handgun that most closely resembles the handgun that you use or carry the most. If possible get a .22lr conversion kit for your primary CCW if you carry.

[Dienekes]

A quality .22 revolver--a S&W K-22 or something of equally high quality. In addition to the simplicity, the big advantage is that you can shoot it "ball and dummy" aka "skiploading" (load two adjacent chambers, skip one, load one for a total of 3 rounds in the cyl., 50% random chance of a live round coming under the hammer). This is the best way to become a *good* disciplined shot, sa or da. Also an excellent way to stay in practice thereafter. You can even load one live round for 5 empty chambers and gain the same benefits. That kind of trigger control carries over to semiautos.

I have my share of .22 semiautos and like them, but it takes considerable self control to settle down and shoot them like they were single shots.

For training beginners there is nothing better than a good revolver.

[Standing Wolf]

I'd recommend getting a few of each. I mean that literally.

[BigG]

The S&W K22 is a magnificent tool, fully equal to their best revolvers. The best part is, they are not all that expensive. A used one can be found for ~ $300 and they are usually in pristine condition.

I am a little jaundiced about semi auto 22s as they have little in common with their big brothers unless you use a conversion kit on a centerfire. I have a Ciener 45 Auto kit that I like and a SIG P220 rimfire conversion kit, also.

The auto I would recommend would be an older S&W Model 41 or a Browning Medalist, but they are long out of production.

[rick_reno]

The revolver is a good training tool, because of the already mentioned capability to blind load it.

[MrMurphy]

I carry an auto, so for me, an auto.


WHichever applies to you, use it.

[Gatofeo]

I recommend a double-action revolver. It's superior to a semi-auto pistol, or single-action revolver, for the following:
1. You cannot misplace or leave behind a magazine, as you can a semi-auto. All you need for it to function is right there. I remember years ago, driving 30 miles to the nearest gravel pit with my Ruger Mark 1 bull barrel, only to discover I'd left the magazines at home. The Ruger is a terrible single-shot pistol, as the slide has to be held open manually while you try to jiggle a round in the chamber.
2. A revolver will function with a wide variety of ammunition. Want to shoot .22 BB caps or .22 Shorts? The revolver can do it. Not so the semi-auto.
3. Determining if it is loaded, or if you've missed firing a round, is easy: Gently pop the cylinder out the side and look. With a single-action revolver, you have to rotate the cylinder and peer into each chamber individually. With the semi-auto, you have to pop the magazine out and pull the slide back to check.
4. The sights do not move on a revolver, as they do on many semi-autos (the Ruger is an exception, since its bolt moves within the tubular frame). An unchanging sight picture is an advantage, especially for newer shooters. That slide coming back can frighten newcomers, or at the least disturb their aim.
5. Reliability. A well-made revolver will fire with almost absolute certainty every time. Not so the autoloader, which can be finicky on which brand of ammo it prefers to function best.
6. A revolver has no annoying safety to engage, disengage or think about, especially if you must use it for self defense. Granted, a .22 revolver is not the best choice for defense, but it's better than bare fists.
7. Though some would accuse the revolver of wearing out faster, or require more frequent maintenance, I dispute this. I've never heard of a good quality .22 revolver requiring a gunsmith, though thousands of rounds were put through it.
Now, here's what I recommend for a .22 revolver:
a. Good quality, such as Smith & Wesson, Colt or Ruger.
b. 4 or 6-inch barrel
c. Adjustable sights
d. If possible, a spare cylinder for .22 Magnum. This makes it useful for hunters or varminteers.
e. Stainless steel finish, for low maintenance.
f. A good availability of after-market accessories, such as grips or sights.

Well, that's my take on it. Any dissenters?

[SpaceCowboy]

I'm with crawfish on this one: get whatever is closest to what you carry or shoot most. A conversion kit would be ideal.

Note that I am biased against .22 revolvers since I can't shoot revo's worth a darn. OTOH, maybe that is a reason I should buy a .22 revolver again.

[Chupacabra]

I have taken a couple new shooters to the range and I've found (for me) it's easier to to teach them on a revolver. Fewer controls to worry about, they don't seem as "complicated" as autos, and there is no slide to pull back...something which both of my new shooters had a problem with. I was able to show them how to rack the slide properly and they got it eventually, but it is a point of stress a new shooter shouldn't have to deal with their first time out IMO.

I prefer to practice with my 1911 conversion .22 though. Same manual of arms as my carry gun.

[Majic]

A double action revolver has the most difficult trigger to master. I would get the DA revolver because after mastering that then any trigger system will be much easier to use.

[sm]

Revolver.

Especially a new shooter. If one learns the DA revolver , I contend this will allow them to shoot any platfform better. IF bad habits start to creep up, going back to basics with a Revolver is a great way to get back on track.

Even a Med frame .38spl ( like a model 10 ) will do this.

I understand budgets, finding a good .22 revolver. I understand shooting similar .22 to the semi you carry...If can afford it, get several of each as per SW.

I was taught to shoot revolvers and bolt actions in rifles in .22 cal. to learn and instill Correct basic fundamentals. I still feel this is the best way.

[trickyasafox]

id say autoloader.

i think its hard pressed to find a better gun on the market for the money then a ruger mk II pistol. parts are available everywhere, gun is highly customizable, accuracy is outstanding and trigger work makes for a great pull. im no gunsmith, but my mk ii has a great trigger just by setting up the factory existing set screws and changing out the sear.

also dont over look the 22/45 from ruger. also check out a sNw 22a in sport or target. revolvers are great, and i concede the loaded and empty chamber drill is nice; however when i want to punch 1 ragged hole i grab my mk ii.

edited for poor spelling

[Nick96]

gulogulo1970,

You say you are thinking about buying your first .22 handgun. But you currently shoot centerfire handguns. From this I assume you are not new to handgun shooting. If this is the case, I'd recommend getting something most close to the weight, size, shape and operating system of that you currently use most - if the purpose is improving shooting skills with a particular centerfire .

For folks just starting out with handguns though, the .22 DA revolver is best. You can practice single action shooting to develop accuracy skills. Move to double action to learn trigger control. When both are mastered - switching to an auto is easy.

My college student son recently indicated he would like to have a handgun for general target & plinking type shooting. He's shot all I have (various calibers & operating systems). I told him to pick whatever one he wanted. He chose a .22 DA revolver. Why? In his words - "cheap to shoot (I give him enough to live on - but not to burn) - and it's more challenging to shoot well." ..... "the auto's are okay, but basically all you do is point & pull the trigger - and generally hit what you're pointing at" ..... "the revolver is a lot more fun."

[bnolsen]

For training I'd definitely suggest a semi auto.

It's a good way to teach the shooter how to safely and effectively deal with weapons malfunctions from jams and out of battery. Also cleaning one will make the shooter appreciate the simpler designs for the larger calibre or a revolver.

Well, it is for training, you aren't going to carry a 22LR are you??

[HSMITH]

Majic and sm are right, and offer some great advise. I would recommend you take their advise, take it to heart and reap the benefits.

If you can shoot a revolver well in DA mode you can pick up anything and shoot it well. If you want to improve this is the way. If you want to plink get whatever you like.

[albanian]

For the purpose of training to be a better shot with larger caliber handguns, I would also recomend getting a handgun that is as close to the one you want to get better with. Trigger action is the most important. Most semi-auto .22lr pistols are SA only. This is fine if you mostly shoot 1911s or other SA pistols. If you shoot DA/SA pistols like me, the Bersa .22lr pistol is a great trainer. It is DA/SA with a safety de-cock just like many semi-autos on the market.

I have almost stopped shooting my .22lr revolvers and SA only semi-autos in favor of the Bersa. Not only is it accurate, reliable and teaches the mechanics of shooting guns like the Beretta 92fs and S&W 3913 (which I have) but it is the most fun .22lr I have ever owned.

The Walther P-22 is another choice in this field but it feels like a cheap gun compared to the Bersa. A conversion kit is the best choice if you only have one handgun that you need to train for.

The bottom line is ANY .22lr will probably let to shoot more and improve your shooting. They are cheap to shoot so you shoot much more and the recoil helps to get newer shooters comfortable with blast noise and recoil. Once they realize that the .22lr won't hurt them, they feel more confident moving up to the larger cals.

What type of gun do you want to be a better shot with?

[The Rabbi]

the big advantage is that you can shoot it "ball and dummy" aka "skiploading" (load two adjacent chambers, skip one, load one for a total of 3 rounds in the cyl., 50% random chance of a live round coming under the hammer).

Dont do this.

Load dummy rounds for in between because dry firing a rimfire is not good for it, from what I've heard.
That said, thats a great way to diagnose flinching.

[Old Fud]

Use a modern .22 revolver to learn how to shoot.

You must, must MUST practice your trigger control and a revo is the best possible tool to do that with.

You can practice double action or single action --- two trigger feels for the price of one piece.
You can mix loads which is a fantastic way to learn.
You can dry-fire repeatedly (serious contestants dry-fire 15-30 minutes every night.) far more easily with a revolver than a semi-automatic.

I either use some snap-caps or spent casings to fill in the gaps in my loads to help protect the firing pin.

After you've learned how to shoot and move on to your "serious" weapon, then you want a .22 as close to that one as you can get.
Reason: Economy!!!! You will practice 5 times as much when your ammo is 1/5 to 1/10 the price.

[The Rabbi]

You must, must MUST practice your trigger control and a revo is the best possible tool to do that with.

Having shot revolvers almost exculsively for some time now I went back yesterday and shot my CZ-52 just to give it some practice.
I found that the trigger pull was nothing like on a revo. In fact, using revolvers made it difficult for me to transition back to semi.

My feeling is, if you want to get good at shooting semis then you need to shoot semis. If you want to get good at shooting revos, then shoot revos.
Pretty much what others have said here.

[Michael_2112]

Seriously though, I think it doesnt really matter all that much as long as you get something of quality.

I think the advice of getting whatever is closest to what you shoot or carry is sound.

Life is too short though, so why not one of each?



Mike

[gulogulo1970]

Well I want to thank everyone who answered.

I thought about what you said and a semi-auto won out. I bought a Ruger Mk II Competition Target Model. I really wanted a S&W 41...but that's a lot of money to be spending right after Christmas, same with the Diamondback.

I mostly shoot Glocks, 1911's and DA Colt revolvers. My semi-autos are my main home defense weapons. My revolvers are my play at the range guns. So I figured I would be better off with a semi for practice. But I will get a 22 Diamondback in the next couple of years, God willing.

I'm pretty happy, I'll be happier when it gets here and I can shoot it. I won it in an auction so it has to be shipped to my FFL. I'm going to try to post some of the auction pictures so you all can see it.