.22 conversions for sidearms, developing point shooting skills

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Stinkyshoe

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I am considering investing in a .22 conversion for the G17/22/35 sized pistol.

I've thought about what purpose it would serve in training, and this is what I've concluded.

They would be great for plinking and perhaps hunting.
They would allow for muscle memory develop when drawing and firing the first round.
Most importantly, they would allow the user to develop point shooting skills inexpensively. A .22 won't provide realistic recoil to practive with. However, it will give a shooter immediate feedback when developing pointshooting skills (where the bullets go). I came to this realization while shooting an air soft gun (which would also work well for this) and after reading an article on the superiority of point shooting skills for close combat situations. Since there is little time to focus on the frontsight at close ranges, and the bodies natural tendancy is to focus on the threat, a .22 conversion on a mainside arm will allow the user to become more accustomed to the grip and trigger will doing point shooting drills.

Just a thought I had. What are your thoughts on point shooting and practice for this?

Respectfully,
Ss
 
Great idea.

I have a marvel conversion for my 1911 ball gun and it help me with the trigger and using iron sights (instead of the usual red-dot scope).

Its a lot cheaper to shoot too.
 
I've got a couple 1911 and Makarov 22 conversions.

Considering how the cost of ammo has increased, a 22 conversion will pay for itself in several months.

I practice point shooting a lot but with laser equipped pistols. Generally the speed and accuracy is as good or better than when using iron sights.
 
I run through 100-200 rounds of point shooting at every range visit with either of my .22 revolvers. I load, place firearm low by my strong side, and raise the gun slowly, meeting about halfway with my second hand, and fire double action as soon as my sites are aligned. Sometimes I don't use my second hand but the 6" 617 is fairly heavy and weighs on my wrist (which is usually in bad shape from cooking all week).

It may not be impressive to "draw" and fire at a bowling pin from 30-50 yards with a .22 but it is fun and doesn't cost much when you miss. My hands never steady fully with careful aiming and if I can nail the DA trigger with the right timing my accuracy suffers very little.

If you haven't already you should try chasing cans and golf balls as they roll down a berm.
 
sitting on my 'puter desk is a Browning High Power with a Ciener conversion and a Crimsom Trace grip. Ultimate point and shoot combo. Maybe my most accurate .22. Great rat killer.
 
22 kits are the cheapest way to get the basic skills down in an effort to master your carry gun. You have everything but recoil so you will be able to apply just exactly what it takes to be accurate. If you master the Glock with the 22 kit it will save you time and ammo when you go to centerfire ammo.

jj
 
.22 conversion units

I first began to use .22 cal equivalents of regular service weapons 30 years ago, back when I was a poor student. I expect they'll come in handy in another 15 years, when I'll be a retired guy on a more limited income . . .

I have a Colt Ace to go with my M1911A1.

I have a S&W 18 to go with my S&W 15.

I have a S&W 650 to go with my S&W 60.

I have a ciener converter for my Glock 19. I had to get the chamber polished and find I have to keep it clean, lube it heavy and use high velocity ammo to get it to function. I don't have much experience with the Advantage Arms converter, but I may buy one anyway at some point. (the Advantage Arms units are reputed to be much more reliable.)
www.22lrconversions.com for the Ciener converters.
www.advantagearms.com for the Advantage Arms converters.

I have both a Ciener and a Beretta factory converter for my 92FS. The Beretta factory unit is outstanding -- adjustable sights and the safety/decocker works just like the original.

I also have a .22 conversion unit for my AR-15, an atchisson converter from bro-caliber international that I bought in 1982, tuned by John Norrel in 1985. It works very well, when kept clean and lubed. (www.johnnorellarms.com)

I really think that .22 conversions or equivalents can be useful for cheap practice, training new shooters, or doing remedial training. I usually use the
.22s on B34 1/2 scale silhouettes at 50 feet and do accuracy drills. (Once I'm warmed up I switch to the B29 or TQ20 targets, which are 1/3rd scale)

If you buy good quality conversion units and keep them clean & lubricated, you'll find them to be a good way to supplement your practice and keep your skill sharp.
 
I'm not usre how useful .22 conversion kits are for serious shooting since they tend to not be as accurate as one would prefer and I think they are of limited value for training purposes (except maybe for the extreme neophyte). But they are fun.

I've an early Colt 1911 unit for many years and I recently built it into a complete gun using a Daly lower (Daly + Colt so I call it a Dolt) and it works great. In fact it works better on the Daly frame than it ever did on any Colt lower that I tried it on. Go figure.

I also have a unit for my AR15. It's fun for plinking but nothing more serious IMO.

Here's my Dolt:
 
Thanks for the comments. I see myself in the future acquiring several of these conversion kits.

Cheap ammo is a thing of the past. I think a .22 AR conversion would be a good investment for longer range training. Plus they'll allow me to shoot the platforms I love for cheap.
 
CZ kadet

I have a Kadet for my 75b. It is a top slide set up like the ceiner. It has better sights and is more accurate than the regular slide. I use it at every range session.
pete
 
If the gun companies were really smart, they would have a factory 22lr conversion kit for EVERY model they make and sell the damn things as a set!

I'm surprised no one has sprung up with, "but the 22lr doesn't have the same recoil as the normal caliber so its useless as a training aid!" Its BS, but I'm surprised it hasn't been said yet.

My daughter and I shoot IDPA only once every other month now due to time and money costs. We shoot twice a week, sometimes three, and all with the 22lr conversion kits on our G19 and G35. I get as good as groups with either the 22lr kits or normal calibers. And we can still hold up to 400-500 round "Ironman" shoots twice a year!

Now, the 22lr kits, at least for my Glocks, aren't made for one ragged hole groups. But, like I said, they shoot as good or better than the normal calibers. Now, I shot a co-worker's CZ Cadet, and it will flat out shoot! I'll put it up against an out of the box MK2 or Buckmark anyday of the week! Same thing with the Marvel's kits for the 1911.

Jerry
 
22LR,
Thanks for the comments. The one exception to the conversions in terms of accuracy is the Marvel. I don't know if you ever had a chance to shoot one, but they are incredible. I have one for my 1911, and it is amazing. The factory group was .399" at 50 yards. Yikes!
I recently installed base plates on the mags (for reloads with mag funnels) and loaned it to an LEO friend to help him gain muscle memory for 1911 (his new duty weapon) after years with his Glock.
My thought is these .22 conversions are valuable for point shooting development. The AR conversions are good for Appleseed shoots and plinking. In either case, dry fire will go a long way, but that feed back of where the bullet goes is nice.
Anyways, just some random ramblings,
Ss
 
I train for point shooting / indexed shooting (Cirillo, 1196) using an airsoft pistol that is identical to my carry gun. The primary advantage is that there are no bullets to "wander" off target. If one goes over the fence, a leaf will stop it. Another advantage is that 5,000 rounds costs $15. I simply staple a piece of printer paper to a stake and have at it.

This is also a great way to practice shooting while moving and doing reactive drills where you EXPLOSIVELY move first, then draw and shoot.

Go with Airsoft...you won't be disappointed.
 
Conversion kits: I use my Advantage Arms conversion kit often. It is a great training tool. It is great for new shooters and useful for cheap training practice.

I had a 1911 with Ciener. It could do 6-8" groups at 150 feet (@1 shot/sec). The AA cannot do that, but it works great at 25 yards or less.
 
Stinky

+1 on the Marvel's unit! I had the PLEASURE of shooting one on a Gold Cup frame! If I ever have the cash to spend on a $900 22lr, this is the one I want!

BTW, the high end Marvels don't AUTOMATICALY make a sub moa pistol. I shoot one on a plain jane Springfield Mil Spec and it gave good groups, but not the one holer's the Gold Cup frame gave. Same unit, different frames.

Jerry
 
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