Practice with guns vs. practice with YOUR gun

[Dilettante]

I like shooting .22s. I'm seriously thinking of getting one just for practice.
But if I have a choice I'd rather use a 9mm for self-defense.

Recently I asked about carpal tunnel syndrome, and got a lot of helpful info about how to minimize RSI when shooting. I went to the range today, shot a P89 and a Glock 17, and haven't had any trouble so far.

But we lost track of a different question: practice with some gun vs. practice with the gun you might have to use.

Different guns feel different, require different levels of force on the trigger, have different sights etc.

On the other hand, I could probably shoot more with a .22. Maybe I could "get used to" the 9mm later.

Any more advice?

So far, my accuracy is "OK", but speed is nonexistent, in case that makes any difference.

Thanks!

 

[Hkmp5sd]

IMO, you should always practice with your CCW/SD gun and on occasion, do so with the factory ammunition that you carry. Everytime I go to the range, I practice with my CCW gun and then shoot a couple of the other guns I hauled to the range.

I enjoy shoot 22s and they are a lot cheaper to play with. Practice with one is good, but not a replacement for your defense weapon.

 

[Obiwan]

All trigger time is good

I used to warm up with my .22

But your best bet by far is to pick one weapon and use it for everything

 

[ChickenHawk]

You should consider getting a .22 conversion for your Glock 17. I have the Advantage Arms conversion which I think is superior to the Ceiner (yes, I've tried both). They replace your 9mm slide and barrel, and come with their own magazines for the .22 ammo.

As others have already said, any trigger time is good. But, with a .22 conversion on your Glock it's still the same trigger - which is even better.

Clearly double-tap practice is completely different, but taken one shot at a time it's the same trigger.

I had the same sights put on my .22 conversion slide so even my sight-picture is the same. I love it.

Cheers,
ChickenHawk

 

[10-Ring]

You should practice w/ your own gun(s). You need to know the trigger, the feel, the manual of arms & the sight picture of the gun you will use to defend yourself.
Sure trigger time is trigger time, but if you practice w/ a competition target gun w/ a very light SA trigger & use a DA/SA gun for self defense, you will have a tough transition.
I would suggest a nice 9mm that has a 22lr conversion kit available for it.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I like to take a .22 caliber pistol to the range, along with a center fire revolver. I shoot ten rounds of .22 caliber, and unless the target is exceptionally good for me, use it for ten rounds of center fire, then start the next target with .22 caliber. It helps reduce flinch, improves trigger control, and eases the aggravation to my arthritis.

That saidâ„¢, I often take just a .22. I believe trigger time is trigger time is trigger time. There's no substitute for practicing with your carry gun, of course, but better to practice with a .22 and carry a center fire hand gun than just carry the center fire hand gun.

 

[P95Carry]

As already said ... trigger time is trigger time but .. the best is practice with CCW piece always IMO .... it should ''come to hand'' like it was part of your anatomy ..... and thus when and if ever really needed (pray it ain't) ...... it'll be second nature.

 

[cool45auto]

I shoot my Vertec the most because its my main carry gun, but I do take a .22 and one of my battle rifles for variety.

 

[lee n. field]

I like shooting .22s. I'm seriously thinking of getting one just for practice.
But if I have a choice I'd rather use a 9mm for self-defense.

Recently I asked about carpal tunnel syndrome, and got a lot of helpful info about how to minimize RSI when shooting. I went to the range today, shot a P89 and a Glock 17, and haven't had any trouble so far.

For carpal tunnel you might consider a single action .45. Ergonomics is better than the Ruger, and the single action trigger will not have you pulling hard with the index finger. For cheap practice Ruger makes a "Gov't model" Mark II .22 autoloader with grip and controls purposfully similar to the 1911's.

 

[DMK]

I like to mostly shoot guns with similar manual of arms. For example, if I shoot my CZ-75, CZ-40B, 1911s, and Ruger 22/45, they all have the safety and mag release controls in pretty much the same location. I also always use the slingshot method of slide manipulation since not all semi-autos have slide releases.

Shooting regularly them builds familiarity with the movements required for operation of any of them.

Sight picture and grip ergonomics is a whole 'nother story. I never seem to have a problem adapting quickly except for the straight grip on my CZ-52s, but I don't shoot them often.

 

[raz-0]

I find that all pistol practice translates to all guns somewhat. The closer the two guns are to each other, the more it translates. The last 10% or so though comes with familiarity, and you gotta practice on what youa re going to use.

 

[Dilettante]

if I shoot my CZ-75, CZ-40B, 1911s, and Ruger 22/45, they all have the safety and mag release controls in pretty much the same location

How do they compare with the BHP or Glocks? Is there a .22 with similar sights, shape and feel to those?

 

[Island Beretta]

I used to practise a lot more with a range handgun (full-size Beretta) than with mine because most of my range time was in America and it would be extremely bureaucratic to effect the paper work to carry mine. You also get a small allotment of bullets for the year in my country (max. 50 rounds) so that do not help with your local practise either.

So I found out that I was more accurate with the range handgun than with mine. I was not pleased with this but after a while I decided to take the good (able to practise) with the bad (you know another gun better than your own). Fortunately it is easy for my wife to accompany me on overseas trips-works both ways here!!.

 

[El Tejon]

Dry Practice. That goes for you too, Island.