Given the amount of double-action shooting I do and plan to do, I'd like to get an inexpensive handgun in an inexpensive caliber to practice double-action shooting inexpensively. (Notice a trend?) My DA guns so far are limited to Kahrs, although I hope to add a S&W 629 Mountain Gun to the mix; therefore, a small handgun with short sight radius would be best. Ideally, such a gun would have a smooth but heavy and long trigger. If it sounds like I'm looking for a gun that's hard to shoot well, you're right. The above attributes dramatically highlight bad technique, and that's what I want in a gun for learning and practice.
If I want to go with a small DAO .22 semi-auto, I'm pretty much limited to Taurus' PT-22, about which I've heard mixed messages. Given recent frustrations with cheap guns, I want something that just works--and continues to do so for thousands of rounds, as befits a target/practice/plinking gun.
This leaves revolvers. These are more expensive options, ranging from around $300 for a Taurus 94 to almost $500 for a Smith & Wesson 317. The upside, of course, is the decreased chance of the gun giving one grief, not to mention slightly greater self-defense utility and wider ammo capability. The former is a big incitement; the latter two are bonuses.
I need to know three things in order to make an informed decision, and I'm hoping this is where you can help me. First, how is the double-action trigger on Taurus revolvers, preferably the model 94? I'd prefer something with as little stacking as possible, but a heavy trigger is almost more of an advantage than defecit when used for training.
Second, do you think that a revolver is too different a platform from a semi-auto to make it useful for practicing trigger technique and sight alignment? My limited experience thus far says no, but there are a lot (most, I'm sure) on this board alone with more experience than I.
Finally, are there other .22 semi-autos or revolvers that fit my criteria (consistent double-action, smooth preferred over light, short sight radius) that I haven't considered?
Thanks for your help!
If I want to go with a small DAO .22 semi-auto, I'm pretty much limited to Taurus' PT-22, about which I've heard mixed messages. Given recent frustrations with cheap guns, I want something that just works--and continues to do so for thousands of rounds, as befits a target/practice/plinking gun.
This leaves revolvers. These are more expensive options, ranging from around $300 for a Taurus 94 to almost $500 for a Smith & Wesson 317. The upside, of course, is the decreased chance of the gun giving one grief, not to mention slightly greater self-defense utility and wider ammo capability. The former is a big incitement; the latter two are bonuses.
I need to know three things in order to make an informed decision, and I'm hoping this is where you can help me. First, how is the double-action trigger on Taurus revolvers, preferably the model 94? I'd prefer something with as little stacking as possible, but a heavy trigger is almost more of an advantage than defecit when used for training.
Second, do you think that a revolver is too different a platform from a semi-auto to make it useful for practicing trigger technique and sight alignment? My limited experience thus far says no, but there are a lot (most, I'm sure) on this board alone with more experience than I.
Finally, are there other .22 semi-autos or revolvers that fit my criteria (consistent double-action, smooth preferred over light, short sight radius) that I haven't considered?
Thanks for your help!
