Which .22 for training?

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phrogpilot

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I am finally giving up on my SIG Mosquito; I have tried to love it (and when it works I do), but it is too finicky and not very accurate.

Now I am faced with trying to find an accurate, dead stop reliable .22lr which is a good semi-auto trainer for my larger calibers. I have a S&W 617 and a Browning Buckmark Bullseye which I have dot scopes on and use for target work, but I am looking for something which approximates a serice pistol, only in .22. The SIG fit the bill, it just didn't deliver.

I am a "traditionalist" and don't care for the NEO or S&W 22a look. I appreciate any thoughts on where to go.
 
I've got a Ruger Standard Model (granddaddy of the Ruger Mk3) that I've only had for a few weeks now, but this weekend alone I put 400 rounds through nary a hiccup. It's got that odd Luger look to it (which is a surprisingly comfortable grip to hold), but if you want something that looks/feels a little more like a duty pistol then you can checkout the Ruger 22/45 - essentially the same pistol with a grip shaped more like a 1911 instead of the Luger.
 
Rugers are great. I'd suggest a used mk-ii. The mk-iii has a mag disconnect that makes a reassembling the pistol more challenging than the previous models.

Depending on what you are training for an Airsoft gun might fill the bill. There is no need to worry about lead or cleaning and you can shoot indoors all day long for about $10.
 
Only one brand comes to mind when I think dead reliable .22 auto. Ruger. I've had great experience with the ruger 22/45. Not so much with other brands. I never had good luck with .22 pistols modeled after real deal automatics. That includes conversion kits.
 
Ruger or Browning are the benchmark for semi autos. Either is good and with the shorter 4" barrels would come close to simulating a service pistol. I've had both and have sold all but the Ruger 22/45. Kept it mainly because they are offered in stainless. Not an option on Browning.

Since you already have the Browning I would stay with that platform to interchange magazines.
 
I have a cz kadet pistol. It is an outstanding training pistol. It is crazy accurate, but not as easy to shoot as a single action pistol. You must pay close attention to technique to get good results.
When I shoot a Ruger MkII or a Model 41 Smith, I tend to get Lazy. When I have to work at Shooting the cz, I get better.
 
I have three Ruger MK II's (One is a 22/45) and the CZ Kadet Kit that sits on my 75B a lot. Either of these or a Browning Buckmark will serve you well. If you want a "service like" .22 get a CZ Kadet or Kadet Kit. A 1911 conversion like the Marvel will work well too.
 
i'd recommend one of the Sig 2-step pistols, either the 220 or 226 with their .22lr conversion already installed. it comes with a discount coupon for a CF upper. if you use the coupon within a year, the conversion is practically free
 
Sig has a recently added .22LR that is built on the aluminum, 9mm receiver. One purchases the new slide, and barrel for the 9mm, and go to town. I don't recall the model. It is the full-size version, not the mosquito. I'll try to stop tomorrow at the guns store and get you the info.

Tah-dah: (Wow! That didn't sound very masculine!!!) Here's a link: http://www.sigsauer.com/products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=8&productid=256

SIG SAUER's new Classic centerfire pistols new .22 LR Rimfire models. The same P220®, P226®, and P229® that have been used by civilian, law enforcement, and military personnel the world over, can now have these same models factory built in .22LR. The SIG SAUER® Classic .22’s are built on the same frame as their centerfire counterparts.

All three Classic .22’s feature the same SIG SAUER Four-Point safety system which employs a decocking lever, a patented automatic firing pin safety block, a safety intercept notch, and a trigger bar disconector. The new machined slides also feature a front sight adjustable for drift and a rear sight adjustable for both windage and elevation.

With the purchase of a new SIG SAUER Classic .22 shooters can now enjoy hours of serious training at the range for a fraction of what they would pay practicing with full recoil centerfire rounds.

SIG SAUER Classic .22’s are shipped in a lockable case with one 10-round magazine. The MSRP for the Classic P220, P226 and P229 is $608.00.

Be sure to check out the new SIG SAUER X-CHANGE Kit™ is the perfect accessory for your SIG SAUER Classic .22 rimfire pistols. Now shooters can add SIG SAUER centerfire performance with just the change out of the slide assembly, barrel, recoil system, and magazine to any of the standard production pistol calibers; 9mm, .40 S&W, and .357SIG. Exchanging components does not alter the reliability or accuracy of either assembly.

Owning a SIG SAUER Classic .22 and a centerfire X-CHANGE Kit provides the added benefit of owning two pistols in a single premium package. More shooting at a lower cost with the full size SIG SAUER pistol you’re accustomed to; the SIG SAUER Classic .22 caliber pistols that now include the option for centerfire performance with a SIG SAUER X-CHANGE Kit.
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Geno
 
I did open a somewhat similar thread on the General Handguns section.

Looking around the Bersa Thunder 22-6 (sold as Firestorm 22-6) is very appealing. Basically it is a Thunder 380 chambered in 22 LR with a 6" barrel.

I alread did read some very good reviews....for $259 (Impact Guns price) and with the SA/DA action it look like a good buy...and Bersa quality and CS to boot!!
 
I shot matches with the 1911A1 and used the S&W model 41 and Hi Standard Military as training pistols. The weight is about the same (39 ounces) and the shape and balance are about right. I gave the S&W model 17 a run, too but disliked the 6 round capacity.

If you can't snag either one of those autoloaders , a Ruger is a fine shooter but won't run with the S&W 41 or Hi Standard.

Whatever pistol you choose, get one and run cases of ammo through it. When you aren't shooting the main ride, dry fire the heck out of it. Any damage done to it is easily repaired. Remember, these are just tools to get you to the Marksmanship level you are striving for.

I bought an AR-15 strictly to dry fire. It wasn't a pretty rifle and I considered it a "beater"......until I shot a match with it. The darned rifle shot so well that I parked the others and shot matches with it for several years!

Flash
 
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If you really MUST have a gun that looks like a service pistol instead of just feeling like one in your hands and when looking over the sights then what about a GSG or Chiappa 1911 .22 version?

Or why not just take the scope off your Buckmark and use the money you save to buy something else? With the right grips on it the Buckmark can feel just like a service gun and it even looks close enough to one when looking over the sights.
 
What kind of "training" are you trying to achieve with the .22 pistol?

If it is handling & presentation you want (holster draw from various positions, etc.), you are better off using the large caliber pistol you have and one of those adapter kits that plugs into the muzzle and flashes a laser pointer at your POA when you pull the trigger.

If you want to get used to the trigger pull of the pistol you intend to carry, the only way to do it is if there is a .22 conversion kit made for your pistol.

If it is simulated combat shooting where you practice things like threat engagement and rapid target aquisition, then a pistol with the general weight, feel, trigger pull, and sight system would work.

If you are trying to range practice for marksmanship, the lack of recoil with .22 pistols won't be of much use to improve your large caliber shooting.
 
If you are trying to range practice for marksmanship, the lack of recoil with .22 pistols won't be of much use to improve your large caliber shooting.
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I am certain that there will be those that disagree with me on this, but I think you are dead wrong. Marksmanship skills are not platform dependent. There may be a slight adjustment owing to recoil or whatever, but for the most part the basic tenets of marksmanship are completely transferrable between guns.

I am no expert in the field, but I consider myself to be a better than fair shot, and I think a lot of that boils down to the fact that I shoot a ton of .22, both because I enjoy it and because it's economical.
 
I am certain that there will be those that disagree with me on this, but I think you are dead wrong. Marksmanship skills are not platform dependent. There may be a slight adjustment owing to recoil or whatever, but for the most part the basic tenets of marksmanship are completely transferrable between guns.
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not at all, as a matter of fact most knowledgeable shooters would agree with you

accuracy is dependent on trigger management, trigger management is independent of recoil...your trigger press all occurs before the recoil starts
 
I am looking for something which approximates a serice pistol, only in .22.
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My answer to the .22 trainer question is to get the same pistol in .22LR or with a .22 conversion for the actual service pistol. I like it because in many respects it replicate much the same feel and same motions. I clear malfunctions the same way, do reloads the same way, I am drawing from the same holster, have the same trigger pull etc, etc. The type of training you are trying to replicate may be different than what I am trying to replicate.

I have shot the Rugers and Buckmark A LOT but they do not offer what I am looking for in a trainer, they are great .22 handguns though (my preference being the ruger).
 
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