22LR "Practice Pieces", Do You Have Any?

[Hugger-4641]

I have a few, can't send pics at the moment. But off the top of my head, I've got the Heritage Rough Rider, Chiappa 1873, Ruger 22/45, GSG Firefly , Taurus TX 22.
The Chiappa came with a .22lr and 22mag cylinder and I usually keep the 22mag cylinder in it.
The Rough Rider gets practice about once a month, but usually stays loaded with rat shot for welcoming the neighbors dogs. (They like to come fight with my dog and chase my chickens)
I actually shoot the Firefly the most, at least a couple mags a week. Why? Because I don't give crap if I wear it out. It also has the crappiest trigger of them all, which forces me to get my grip and trigger pull right.
I had a High Standard Sentinel many years ago and I wish I hadn't let it go. It was a 9 shot revolver with a 6" barrel. I might buy another one if I run into one for sale.

 

[Tallball]

It's not a practice piece for SD, but this little Heritage Rough Rider is similar to shooting my centerfire SA revolvers, but without the absurd accuracy of my 6.5" Single Six.

The short barrel and small sights make it a fun challenge to shoot well.

Heritage Rough Rider 22lr New

• Tallball
• Jul 27, 2021

 

[jmorris]

I have two different versions of the AA kits for glocks, they allow you to use the same lower, so you habe the same controls but with the aluminum slides they, like most conversions feel lighter than the firearm normally does. Had to do the thread conversion on my own on their CA version.



That old Colt conversion I posted a photo of earlier actually weighs more than with the 45 acp top end unloaded because of the steel slide and the barrel has a much smaller hole in it.

 

[.308 Norma]

But for me, i need to practice with the actual firearm that I'm planning ti use in a particular task, be it centerfire ir 22LR.

Yep. Me too.

 

[halfmoonclip]

Have a couple .22 trainers, most recently a conversion for a Vz 61.
But the most successful was a .22 short version of a 950, to go with its .25ACP. It made for lots of cheap practice.
The Glock 44 is another great trainer for striker fired autopistols; wish it had been available when we were still teaching the handgun class at the Club.
Moon

 

[Armored farmer]

I forgot I had this pair as well.
Single Six and Blackhawk.
Both in 4⅝.

 

[Lo-Profile]

I have a few 22 pistols and rifles.
I didn't use my pistols as training aids. I just like shooting them.
My bolt action 22" Ruger American Rimfire I do shoot a lot more than my center fired bolt gun.
Even more than my 10/22 or Henry lever gun in 22.

 

[COZ_]

I have an old Sterling .22lr from back in the 70's. About a year ago picked up a Ruger Mark IV 22/45 to have fun with. Also was looking at the Taurus TX22

​

 

[silicosys4]

I have 2 s&w m18's that are trainers for their m15's in .38spcl, but that's a little outdated.

I've always held that the benefits of training with a .22lr version of your defensive handgun would be mostly offset by the significant difference in recoil, and a person who's serious should just train with the real deal.

 

[DaveTNC]

If not I'd suggest the GSG 1922-22.

I’ll second this - I love my GSG 1911-22. Eats all the cheap bulk Federal ammo I can feed it, and at least as accurate as I am, hitting a 4” steel plate from 15 yards away.

 

[Jim Watson]

I've always held that the benefits of training with a .22lr version of your defensive handgun would be mostly offset by the significant difference in recoil, and a person who's serious should just train with the real deal.

I agree with some guy name of Cooper “You can learn about 80% of what you need to know with a .22.”

My typical practice is 60-70% .22, finishing up with centerfire.

 

[JohnKSa]

I have an SP101 in .22LR. It's great practice for DA trigger work and fun to shoot.

 

[KevininPa]

A S&W MP22 Compact is my understudy for a Shield EZ9.

 

[PzGren]

While I have mostly .22 l.r. match guns, I have a few .22 fun guns.











Not a handgun but an issued .22 l.r Anschutz 54 training rifle

 

[Tallball]

Everyone's different. 22lr is excellent practice for me. Might not work as well for other people, for all I know.

I have XXL hands. Most small CC pieces hurt my hands a little bit to shoot. If I try to put 100 rounds through a very small 9mm pistol, I will likely get some sore/bloody spots and start to have trouble with flinching.

Using a very similar pistol in 22lr alleviates that problem for me. 50 rounds of 22lr and 50 rounds of 9mm is actually better practice for me. I'm making no claims abut anyone else.

A good example is my Russian Makarov. It's very reliable and accurate, but chews up my hand a little. The almost identical Bersa Thunder 22 does not. Good practice with no flinches.

Bersa Thunder 22.jpg

• Tallball
• Feb 4, 2025

Makarov Target

• Tallball
• Aug 11, 2018

 

[5-SHOTS]

I have these two .22L.R. handguns: a Norinco TT-Olympia and a Weihrauch Target Trophy. The two handguns I shoot the most.



For a new 1911 .22L.R. I'd suggest the Browning 1911-22 or a GSG or a Umarex. They are usually branded as SIG-Sauer 1911 or Colt 1911. The Hammerli Forge H1 made by Umarex seems also a nice .22L.R. 1911.

 

[Hookeye]

Used to shoot and hunt w a 6" Kart conversion on. a Colt 1911 frame. Kinda made other .22s pale in comparison.

Alas my eyes like an optic now so run a Buckmark 5.5 w reflex.

Have no need for a non target type .22lr

May snag a Walther CSP classic but then Id be done w rimfire handguns.

Must say I really liked my old Smith 648 6". Preferred it to the 48. 8 3/8" ( but the latter was a hell of a range toy ).

Contenders, High Standards, were fun. Killed stuff my Mk1 and 2 plus various SA Rugers as well. An adj sight Bearcat would be a cool trapline gun, but I wont roll the dice w Ruger.

 

[nofendertom]

I have a RIA .22lr revolver. I guess you could say it is a practice piece for my .357 revolver, but I just like to shoot .22lr rounds.

 

[PzGren]

I have these two .22L.R. handguns: a Norinco TT-Olympia and a Weihrauch Target Trophy. The two handguns I shoot the most.
View attachment 1265657
View attachment 1265658

For a new 1911 .22L.R. I'd suggest the Browning 1911-22 or a GSG or a Umarex. They are usually branded as SIG-Sauer 1911 or Colt 1911. The Hammerli Forge H1 made by Umarex seems also a nice .22L.R. 1911.

I have a cousin of the Norinco, the Hammerli 212. It derived from the Walther Olympia Jäger Pistole and when the patent expired, the chinese were free to copy it.

 

[Targa]

Very nice .22’s everyone!! I am to lazy to hit the like buttons but you all are showing some real beauties.

 

[Buzznrose]

I have three, a Ruger MK3 22-45, a Glock G44, and an Sig P322 with a red dot.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

This S22A shoots really good and is a lot of fun to shoot. My friend in California sent it to me to use when he found out I had to have hand surgery. I didn't own a decent 22 semi auto or revolver. Many thanks to DudeDog for sending me this. I've since bought a buckmark and between these two pistols, I can shoot a pistol with my right hand again.

40 rounds through there.


I since bought this so when I go shooting with my grandson, I have a 22 to shoot also.
I've since built it into somewhat of a race gun with a 2lb trigger.

 

[CraigC]

I agree with some guy name of Cooper “You can learn about 80% of what you need to know with a .22.”

Agreed, 100%.

By the same token, when I hear someone scoff at the .22LR and disregard it as "a kid's gun", I just as quickly dismiss them as an unserious shooter.

 

[Hugger-4641]

Agreed, 100%.

By t he same token, when I hear someone scoff at the .22LR and disregard it as "a kid's gun", I just as quickly dismiss them as an unserious shooter.

I don't know that I would limit it at 80%. I just took my 10yr old grandson to an Appleseed clinic. I've been shooting all my life and I still learned at lot. Almost everyone was using 10/22's .

 

[Gary W. Strange]

I have a cousin of the Norinco, the Hammerli 212. It derived from the Walther Olympia Jäger Pistole and when the patent expired, the chinese were free to copy it.

Right there with you on the Hammerli 212. It’s a Swiss made masterpiece,