Advice on a .22 for training

[hermes418]

New shooter looking for advice. I've shot calibers from .22 to 45, and I just bought my first pistol, a Sig P250 in 9mm. Took it to the range and learned something.

I am not yet ready to fire this gun well.

I've even developed a flinch.

So, I want to get a 22 pistol to learn well/unlearn the bad habits I am already developing. I would like to keep it under $300, but understand that may not be possible. What does the board recommend as a quality learning pistol/revolver?

My primary concerns are that it is:

1) A good trainer
2) accurate
3) will last

I've already had the Ruger MK II is recommended - I personally don't like the look of the gun, but if it is the best tool, I will swallow my pride and get one. Open to suggestions.

[ChopperDoc]

I don't think a 22 caliber anything is your answer. What you will most likely do is make things worse with bigger bangs and practicing with a completely different gun than what you are planning to carry or use regularly.

Dry fire drills. There are plenty of them and you need to be doing a lot of them. 80% of your pistol training can be done without firing a single round. Would be best to get some snap caps though.

Here is a link to one drill that can help. Google for some more and then use your carry gun to practice those, not a 22LR that is dissimilar to your carry gun.

http://pistol-training.com/archives/118

Once you have a better grasp on fundamentals, THEN you can get a 22LR kit for your carry gun to practice some live fire stuff without the expense of the bigger center fire ammo. To get the maximum benefit of this it does require that you have a good functioning kit for your pistol (same trigger, same grip, same weight, just a different caliber).

Just my 2 cents, but I think if you try this first you can save the expense of a new gun right now. Unless you just want the new gun...

[hermes418]

I'd kind of like the new gun

[guncrank1]

Get your self a Sig .22

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Or one of the .22 Classic series

[ChopperDoc]

I'd kind of like the new gun

I can completely understand that. Just don't expect to get the results you are looking for with your carry gun.

If you practice bad habits on a 22LR you will transfer those to a 9mm, and they will show up more. Ask me how I know.

Training to overcome bad habits it 100 times more difficult that learning it right from the beginning.

[Kadnine]

What chopperdoc said. I'm relatively new to pistol, but my rifle experience has taught me that dry fire is where you pay yer dues, the range is just for validation that you need more dry fire.

Focus on the fundamentals (sight alignment, sight picture, breath and trigger control, don't forget follow through) and the flinch will disappear. You'll be too busy to flinch. And practice using an under-sized target. That way the range targets will look HUGE!

And hang out with people who know more than you do. That's why I like this forum so much. I'm learning new stuff every day.

- Keith

[DDgunslinger]

Save the money and instead of buying a new pistol, go take a few pistol courses. Training corrects bad habits, not switching pistols. Just my .02

[Whootsinator]

You should not be developing a flinch with a full size 9mm. I would guess you're doing SOMETHING wrong... Spending too much of your hard earned money on a .22lr pistol will just mean you're carrying your bad habits over. Instead, use that money to purchase 9mm ammo and go to the range with someone who can teach you. A basic pistol course would set you on the right track.

[Wyldman]

Hell, if you're too cheap to go to a proper training class (the single best answer, IMO), at least get someone to teach you the proper basics, preferably someone who knows what the hell they're doing. Be ready to listen and learn and don't assume that you know even the basest fundamentals, kind of like asking for our advice and chafing because the answer doesn't involve what you want to hear.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, just pointing out that you came here to ask our advice and that there are some here who are definitely worth listening to if you you really want to learn.

[justang1997]

im with coach, do both. get a sig mosquito .22 cal. If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

[SNL]

I suggest buying the 44 I have for sale instead of a 22....after you shoot the 44 a little bit you wont flinch shooting 9mm anymore

[SNL]