So, right now I have a Smith and Wesson m&p in 9mm. I'd like to shoot more, but I can't really afford to. I saw on their website that they make a 22lr version and was thinking it might be a good idea to invest in one so I could shoot more. Would it be worthwhile to pick one up?
22lr version of pistol for training?
- Thread starter DES0LAT0R
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I'm a fan of training with 22 lr to practice trigger pull and sight picture but I don't think using a copy of what you have as a 9 mm is necessary or beneficial. I'm looking to get a Browning buckmark or Ruger mark iv for 22 practice. This is just my personal opinion and I'm a new pistol shooter.
I have the M&P22 along with an M&P9.
The trigger is quite different between the two guns, so keep that in mind (the .22 has an internal hammer and is essentially a single action) but I think there's still a lot of cross over benefits to using the 22. Holsters are the same, and the grip and controls will feels familiar and help build muscle memory with manipulations. I'd suggest getting some better sights on the 22 (if you can do the same as your 9 that would be the best option), but otherwise have at it! If nothing else the M&P22 is a ton of fun to shoot, and if you can improve your 9mm skills at the same time then it's a bonus.
The trigger is quite different between the two guns, so keep that in mind (the .22 has an internal hammer and is essentially a single action) but I think there's still a lot of cross over benefits to using the 22. Holsters are the same, and the grip and controls will feels familiar and help build muscle memory with manipulations. I'd suggest getting some better sights on the 22 (if you can do the same as your 9 that would be the best option), but otherwise have at it! If nothing else the M&P22 is a ton of fun to shoot, and if you can improve your 9mm skills at the same time then it's a bonus.
I like the CZ Kadet kit. It uses the same lower as the main 9 mm pistol, i.e. same trigger, grip, and everything. Works ok for slow fire, draws, long range shots. At speed, it obviously behaves very differently: 22LR + heavy steel gun = almost no recoil
Another vote for the M&P22 as a training platform, its a really good pistol. I use a holster so it is nice it fits both.
FWIW, the M&P22 does not have interchangeable back straps so if you use anything bigger than the standard medium the grip will feel different, texture is a wee bit different too.
I would like to see S&W update the 22LR to the 2.0 version and add the interchangeable back straps.
FWIW, the M&P22 does not have interchangeable back straps so if you use anything bigger than the standard medium the grip will feel different, texture is a wee bit different too.
I would like to see S&W update the 22LR to the 2.0 version and add the interchangeable back straps.
Blastattack
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Full size guns chambered in .22 LR rarely work very well for very long. The full moving slide assembly has to be made very light to function properly, which drastically changes the weight and balance of the firearm, and the large moving mass is more susceptible to interruption and friction with the frame. The best conversion units are ones like the CZ, which are steel and only have a portion of the slide in motion.
I wouldn’t waste my time with the full size conversion slides simply because their reliability is inferior to a purpose built .22 (such as the Ruger MK or Browning offerings) or to a properly executed conversion that doesn’t have the whole slide moving.
I wouldn’t waste my time with the full size conversion slides simply because their reliability is inferior to a purpose built .22 (such as the Ruger MK or Browning offerings) or to a properly executed conversion that doesn’t have the whole slide moving.
Not sure about that, nearly 3000 rounds down the pipe with my M&P22 LR and no issues what so ever.
The main reason to have a specific 22 LR just like your 9mm is to work on draw, grip, sight alignment and reloading at 6 cents a round.
The main reason to have a specific 22 LR just like your 9mm is to work on draw, grip, sight alignment and reloading at 6 cents a round.
TriggerTime
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What, no love for the 1911? Both of my GSG's work very well as pistols in their own right. Neither is picky with ammo. One has over 6k rounds and still going strong... Like the other designs, they are great for practicing manual of arms of their centerfire cousins. And empty, the .22 weighs nearly as much as the .45 - there's a small difference, and a bit more with full mags, but it's not enough to really get bothered about, so holster practice is worthwhile too. Actually I would have picked up an M&P 22, before I bought the first GSG, but spare magazines were unobtainium so I went with the 1911 style. Few things irk me more than having to constantly reload mags at the range.
easyrider604
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Had a Peter Stahl .22LR 1911 conversion. Almost useless for training. Draw and dry firing is more beneficial, IMO. Eventually sold all my .22LR handguns. All I have left in .22LR are bolt action rifles.
If you want to shoot a 22 then buy one, but if you are only considering this to become more proficient with your 9mm for cheaper then skip it. It is much cheaper and effective to do dryfire practice with your 9mm.
I have an M&P 22 and I concur that they are worthwhile in terms of providing an understudy to the 9mm version. They fit the same holsters and generally feel similar.
If you just want something for static bullseye-type shooting, a conventional .22 pistol (e.g. Ruger, Browning, etc.) would be a better choice.
Some of my observations are as follows:
-It generally works well, but prefers fairly hot ammo.
-Frame construction is a zinc alloy (i.e. pot metal) chassis in a plastic grip frame. This is sort of chintzy and off-putting, but the overall design is still better than a SIG Mosquito or Walther P22, for example.
-Mine required fire-lapping of the bore in order to shoot accurately.
My ideal solution would be an Advantge Arms conversion kit, but they don't make one for the M&P, so the M&P 22 will have to do for now.
If you just want something for static bullseye-type shooting, a conventional .22 pistol (e.g. Ruger, Browning, etc.) would be a better choice.
Some of my observations are as follows:
-It generally works well, but prefers fairly hot ammo.
-Frame construction is a zinc alloy (i.e. pot metal) chassis in a plastic grip frame. This is sort of chintzy and off-putting, but the overall design is still better than a SIG Mosquito or Walther P22, for example.
-Mine required fire-lapping of the bore in order to shoot accurately.
My ideal solution would be an Advantge Arms conversion kit, but they don't make one for the M&P, so the M&P 22 will have to do for now.
Gotta agree with your assessment, I have a couple of friends with them and they are fantastic guns, quite reliable with hot ammo and a hell of a lot of fun to shoot. I have watched a friend use hers in speed steel for two seasons and I've been quite impressed, having said that, it is different than the 9mm. I run an Advantage Arms kit on a G19 and it is a lot more like the 19,,, although with the compact frame and AA slide it is ridiculously light, so also a bit different but a fantastic setup
More than 10k rounds through my M&P22 with no issues. I use Blazer 40g and it cycles every time.
.22 are great training tools! They really shine when you use the right approach, and that is a multi-pronged method that combines live and dry fire of both .22 and 9mm.
A friend and I are training a ‘starving student’ for IPSC/IDPA, and easily 80-90% of her live fire now is .22. The results? She came in 17th out of almost 50 shooters, and this was her 2nd ever IDPA match. The only other match she did was an IPSC-ish club match.
OP: look around for someone to mentor you, and be a great student. It just takes the right approach, and that doesn’t have to be expensive.
A friend and I are training a ‘starving student’ for IPSC/IDPA, and easily 80-90% of her live fire now is .22. The results? She came in 17th out of almost 50 shooters, and this was her 2nd ever IDPA match. The only other match she did was an IPSC-ish club match.
OP: look around for someone to mentor you, and be a great student. It just takes the right approach, and that doesn’t have to be expensive.
Blazer is great ammo, I too run it in my M&P22, it is actually quiet accurate and for @6¢ a round its hard to complain.
Even if the .22 is not exactly the same, the extra practice on fundamentals will be beneficial.
I took my first formal training class using an HK LEM trigger with full knowledge it is a more difficult trigger than a 1911's SAO trigger. I also like practicing with a DA/SA pistol like the Sig just to break my muscle memory and force me to focus on fundamentals. The skill will still be there when you switch back to your preferred platform.
I took my first formal training class using an HK LEM trigger with full knowledge it is a more difficult trigger than a 1911's SAO trigger. I also like practicing with a DA/SA pistol like the Sig just to break my muscle memory and force me to focus on fundamentals. The skill will still be there when you switch back to your preferred platform.
Actually Antreg does CZ conversions that use full steel slides with floating chambers. This is very similar to the old Colt system. Weight of the gun remains close to full calibre and the recoil impulse is larger than the other 22 conversion systems. It makes training much more realistic.
If 22 lr helps you shoot within your budget then do it! Personally I went the reloading root on centre fire which isn't truly budget friendly. My experience is that shooting 22 lr is just the tip is the iceberg if your goal is to be a proficient centre fire shooter. There is no replacement for displacement so to speak. This is not to say don't do it. I just abandoned this route - personal taste is all. It works for many others!
