Well considering that no single law enforcement org, or military that I know of, starts people on 22s I think that when you look at cost benefit and time involved, that learning to shoot with centerfire probably works just fine.
.22 Training Pistols: Pros & Cons by Todd Louis Green
- Thread starter Wendell
- Start date
Actually, I thought .22 trainers used to be de rigeur with a lot of armed forces. I thought they went away from that mainly because they could afford to run centerfire ammo exclusively.
Nope. The problem was lead contamination in indoor ranges. Now have gone to computerized simulators.
- Location
- Prince George B.C.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion and that may or may not be construed as negativity...
For myself I like the article but I question some of the assertions. It appears to me that the statements from Mr. Green are based on the assumption that the shooter is going to confine himsef to a single platform which then puts a greater emphasis on pure muscle memory for all manipulations of the firearm-draw,trigger control, etc etc.
I tend to see a slightly different track....as usual
I believe that one of the values of practice with the .22 is forcing the shooter to keep his conscious mind in the game as well as the subconscious.
I really disagree on the value of failure drills with the .22. Failure drills can be practiced on any platform and have value for the very reason that they should never be completely automatic. Some assesment is always necessary to observe the condition of the firearm during the clearance process.
As far as developing bad habits that is always an issue no matter what the firearm. The biggest drawback of the rimfire I see is the difference in levels of recoil but even this is not a really big isssue as long as you spend an appropriate amount of practice time before shooting a match. At least I have never found it to be a problem.
And that brings me to the real disconnect between most of us and the author - the use we put our firearms to. In Canada the vast majority will use our handguns for purely recreational or competitive purposes while the writer is employed training people who must be prepared to use deadly force as part of their occupation.
The requirements of those two realities are a world apart and any article should be read and understood with this reality firmly in mind.
IMHO anyhow
John
For myself I like the article but I question some of the assertions. It appears to me that the statements from Mr. Green are based on the assumption that the shooter is going to confine himsef to a single platform which then puts a greater emphasis on pure muscle memory for all manipulations of the firearm-draw,trigger control, etc etc.
I tend to see a slightly different track....as usual
I believe that one of the values of practice with the .22 is forcing the shooter to keep his conscious mind in the game as well as the subconscious.
I really disagree on the value of failure drills with the .22. Failure drills can be practiced on any platform and have value for the very reason that they should never be completely automatic. Some assesment is always necessary to observe the condition of the firearm during the clearance process.
As far as developing bad habits that is always an issue no matter what the firearm. The biggest drawback of the rimfire I see is the difference in levels of recoil but even this is not a really big isssue as long as you spend an appropriate amount of practice time before shooting a match. At least I have never found it to be a problem.
And that brings me to the real disconnect between most of us and the author - the use we put our firearms to. In Canada the vast majority will use our handguns for purely recreational or competitive purposes while the writer is employed training people who must be prepared to use deadly force as part of their occupation.
The requirements of those two realities are a world apart and any article should be read and understood with this reality firmly in mind.
IMHO anyhow
John
Ah, interesting...a platform with substantially less recoil than even the .22!
Anyway the bottom line is that .22s are better than cap guns, and worse than centerfire. As long as you understand its limitations, it's pretty useful. But then I think that's what Todd is saying anyway.
Nope. The system includes compressed air that simulates recoil and cycles the action.
Interesting!
Sounds like an excellent analog.
Sounds like an excellent analog.
