Starting Over With a 22

[Buzznrose]

Thanks for all the replies.

I was pretty set on going the 22 route but now I'm not sure.

I do also have an iTarget 9mm laser trainer that I could use daily for free if I just went the 9mm route.

I was going to suggest looking into this option, as I’ve heard a lot of good about this. But I have not yet purchased one myself, so while many good reviews are encouraging, I cannot give you first hand witness. That said, if you have it, and it works for you, Use it. Another option that’s been mentioned is a 22 conversion for a 9 mm handgun. I know the advantage arms Glock conversion kit is solid. As is the CMMG 22 conversion kit for an AR 15

 

[Buzznrose]

i think that is not a good idea. revolvers are difficult to shoot accurately. a semi-auto is much better to hone your basic shooting skills.

I appreciate everyone weighing in.

This has made me think a lot more about what my specific goal is, beyond just being a better shooter in general.

I think I'm pretty well covered for home defense with my AR, and honestly the chances of that situation happening are very unlikely for us - we live in a very nice, low-crime neighborhood, have motion-sensor lights, a security system, and three large, loud dogs.

If I am ever in a self-defense scenario, I think it's far more likely that it will be when I'm out of the house during the day in various areas throughout Miami. I carry a J-frame (642), so I think I've come to the conclusion that my real goal is to become as proficient as possible with that.

I'm reasonably competent with it - I can reliably put the whole cylinder in the center of a target at 7-10 yards. No idea what the group size is, but certainly nothing to write home about.

The recoil on that little thing makes me not want to fire more than 30-50 rounds in a session, though - and I definitely degrade in performance on the end.

Maybe a 22LR J-frame or similar size revolver would be the way to go.

i think that is not a good idea. revolvers are difficult to shoot accurately. a semi-auto is much better to hone your basic shooting skills.

luck,

murf

I’m with Murf on this one. If you want a defensive gun, go with a semiauto handgun. For sure, revolvers have a lot going for them, but the fact that 99% of the folks who carry a firearm for a living carry a semi auto pistol should be a solid clue...

I dearly love a 77 F250 with a 390 motor and a 4 speed tranny...but I drive a 2018 Chevy Silverado daily, and other than the bank note, don’t regret the decision for a second.

YMMV

 

[Jimmy Hoffa]

I too was faced with a similar decision. My primary self-defense weapon is a Sig p365. It shoots great and is very accurate but I wanted to enjoy more shooting while improving my abilities. My criteria was to as closely emulate the Sig as possible.

I chose a S&W M&P 22 Compact and absolutely love this gun. It made me a better shooter because I actually had to work at perfecting my ability with it. The gun is more accurate and me but I had to learn to shoot it as well as others and I found that to be a great training tool.

It's a bonus that it shoots all cheap low velocity ammo 100% reliably (not all do). I buy .22 ammo for 4¢ vs 17¢ for 9 mm.

 

[Buzznrose]

Duplicate post

 

[reverseturn]

I think labguy47's suggestion on trying wadcutters in your J frame is a good one. I normally detest shooting my .38spcl LCR but finally just tried 148 grain Fiochi wadcutters and found it much easier to shoot. Took me a long time to try them because l had to order the ammo online. Certainly I would try that first before looking at a .22 j frame.

 

[H3NT3]

Using that pistol + new ammo + new holsters currency toward entering reloading could lower the cost of 38 Special, if you don't mind continuing to utilize the snub. Load slow loads or +p.
Feed that 686 too.
Revolvers and reloading go great together because saving that brass is so easy.

Takes time and space tho.
But is kinda relaxing... which is nice since business/job ownership is actually not anything like being a fat cat on sunny beaches 24/7...

 

[mrblenderson]

If anyone is curious how this ended up I just picked up a VP9.

I had been planning on getting the M&P 2.0 but LGS had the gray one on sale for $499 and I couldn't resist.

 

[FlSwampRat]

I'm ready to buy another pistol primarily for home defense and almost bought an M&P 9mm.

Excellent choice for a 9mm.

Then I started to think about the amount of training I can actually do with it, given that funds are still very limited and our toddler takes up almost all my free time.
This led me to thinking about buying the M&P 22 Compact instead, and to spend this year really drilling and locking in all the fundamentals of shooting. By shooting 22LR I could get in 500 rounds every time and get WAY more practice.

As soon as I read your first line what you said in your second line popped in my head as a perfect solution. I recommend exactly that for many shooters. It's no secret that I am a double deuce fan and the two M&P's have all their relevant controls in the same place, only difference between them in use is the recoil of the 9.
However, of all the center fire cartridges, 9's are pretty low on the price scale. at $.15 a round in bulk from many online sellers.
So, do you really want to buy two guns when the 9mm ammo is maybe double the price of .22 but you had to pay hundreds of dollars for the second gun?

In the meantime my AR and 686+ will do just fine for HD duty.

Verily and forsooth!

Is this a good route to go?

That my friend is for you to decide,