Any truth to what my gun shop is saying?

[susieqz]

i think this thing about needing to train with a similar gun is incorrect.
i worked hard with my 22/45 til i got very good.
when i started with my s&w model 15, 38spc revolver, there was some hand confusion. the grips were different, the action was different. everything was different.
but it took little time to find out most of my skills transferred over.
i saved a bundle training with 22lr.

 

[caz223]

When I took my first CCW class, there was an older guy there, in his 80s.
He really had arthritis bad, and he took the class with a single six revolver. A really old one. Yes, a single action revolver.
Shoot what you got.

 

[mooninpisces]

Firstly, your gun shop's suggestion has some merit.

The Ruger SR22 is a DA/SA rimfire. As an economical substitute
for the centerfire DA/SA CZ, this sound like a workable idea, provided
that you are consistently practicing with a double action trigger pull
on your first shot !

Because your description about needing more practice is so vague,
have you considered taking a training course that addresses the
fundamentals of marksmanship ?

Such a course may help you determine just exactly what it is that you
need to work on, and how to work on it.

You may not need another pistol. However, you may need someone
to simply show you how to use the pistol that you already possess.

 

[Deanimator]

A quality .22lr semi-auto is a good way to learn and practice the fundamentals. You're not going to shoot WORSE with a centerfire gun because you became proficient with a .22.

Buckmarks are good guns, but I prefer the Ruger MkII/III. When I competed with the latter, there were a lot more aftermarket accessories for it than the Buckmark. Either one will do well for you.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am all in favor of .22 "understudies". I have a Colt ACE, a Kadet Conversion, a Pathfinder, and a Model 18.
Jeff Cooper said "You can learn about 80% of what you need to know with a .22."

I typically use the .22 to warm up for the centerfire, 1/3 to 1/2 of the shooting I plan to do today. I use the .22 to work on the draw, target acquisition, breaking the shot, and target transition. I do NOT shoot double taps or rapid fire on one target. That will give you funny ideas about recoil management.
I then shift to the centerfire and practice multiple shots and reloads, staying used to the recoil and blast.

 

[Door Gunner]

Use a .22-cal pistol to inexpensively learn all the intricate details of the many factors that can negatively affect your shot placement. Pistol shooting is, first of all, a head game. You must learn to overcome your natural instinct of hold the grip too tight, to stop squeezing the grip in your hand in anticipation of the round going off. Your right hand (if you're right handed) is your biggest detriment to becoming an adequate pistol shot.

Lot's of folks also squeeze their eyes shut upon firing the shot. These are all indicators that you are not relaxed while only your index finger is causing the pistol to fire. Becoming a competent shot is a science and a personnel skill-set. There are volumes of good data on line to assist you in learning the mechanics, and head games, about placing the shot.

 

[straightshooterjake]

I see there is a lot of good advice in this thread already, but I'll still offer my perspective.

I am a range safety officer for my club, and I talk to lots of new shooters who are just getting started. Most shooters get a lot of benefit from practicing with a .22. A .22 helps people learn to control the trigger, focus on the sights, follow through correctly and all the other fundamentals of controlling a handgun. Most people learn these skills much more easily with the reduced recoil and noise of a .22.

To learn these fundamentals of pistolcraft, a full sized and full weight pistol works better than anything smaller and lighter. The SR22 is a fun and reliable plinker, but the Buckmark is much better for training. The Kadet kit is also an excellent choice for training.

It is not necessary for the .22 pistol to have the same controls as the duty pistol. You still need substantial practice with duty loads in the duty pistol to insure you are comfortable with the overall feel as well as the controls.

Good luck with your choice. You won't go really wrong with any of the options you are considering, but the SR22 would be the least beneficial.