22LR vs 9mm for the handgun newb

I would say that the learning curve for pistol marksmanship can be much shorter with a good 22 then a good 9mm. It will be difficult to master the basics of sight alignment and trigger control while anticipating recoil.

However the same can be achieved through effective dryfire practice at no cost for ammunition. So buy whatever you like and have fun with it.

One caveat, dryfire is very effective in teaching the fundamentals of marksmanship and gun handling, however it is exceedingly boring.
 
I had the same issue when I first started shooting. Simply put, get 9mm. You can still learn all the basic shooting techniques but the 9mm can teach you something that the .22 can't: recoil. While the 9mm has minimal recoil, it is still considerably more than a .22 IMHO.

Get a simple G17 gen 4; cheap and effective. It will serve you well.
 
Donster 125 said:
I had the same issue when I first started shooting. Simply put, get 9mm. You can still learn all the basic shooting techniques but the 9mm can teach you something that the .22 can't: recoil. While the 9mm has minimal recoil, it is still considerably more than a .22 IMHO.

Get a simple G17 gen 4; cheap and effective. It will serve you well.
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Is the G17 Gen 4, Glock's most recent version/ generation?
 
djmay71 said:
Finally checked back into this thread....I honestly thought it had died on me...apparently not.
Anyways, I think I'm going to take advantage of Wolverine's September "Free Shipping on in stock handguns" and get myself an M&P or Glock.
Now the decision is: M&P or Glock!?!?
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I've shot both of these pistols, both are excellent choices. I lean towards the M&P, as I find it fits my hand a bit better. But you should hold both to check to see how they fit your hand.

As far as your original question goes!

When I got into pistol shooting years ago, everyone told me to get a good quality .22 to start with, for the same reasons mentioned; inexpensive to shoot, allows you to learn good grip, sight alignment, etc.

After learning the above I bought a Colt Gold Cup, then a S&W 629. Although I had learned grip and sight alignment, etc. the .22 did not give me the opportunity to include handling recoil. So I basically had to learn how to shoot the larger caliber guns.

Oh, the .22 hardly ever came out of the safe after going to center fire pistols!

I got out of powder burning pistol shooting for a number of years, but I kept up shooting pistols, quality air gun pistols at 10 yards! These still provide grip and sight alignment, and cost waaaaayyyy less to feed (even compared to a .22), plus you can shoot them almost anywhere.

When I got back into powder burning pistol shooting again about a year ago, the first gun I purchased was a 9 mm! I didn't even consider a .22 this time, as I still have a few air pistols to train with.

As mentioned above, I have to agree the 9 mm is a great caliber to start with.

Sure you can shoot 50 rounds of .22 for around $4.00, but 9 mm can be had for around $12 - 13.00 for 50, less if you reload or use reloads.

The 9 mm prepares you for the recoil of larger calibers better, it's a lot more fun to shoot and unless you plan to shoot hundreds/thousands of rounds each time you go to the range (I shoot 100 - 150 of 9 mm per outing), the few extra dollars saved is not a huge factor IMO.

That my 2 cents!!!!:popCorn:

And yes, the Gen 4 is Glock's latest offering.
 
Yep, a 9mm can certainly teach you something a .22 can't... flinching along with the recoil.

Some just can't kick the habit in anything shy of a few thousand rounds. And some never do seem to kick it.

Go with the 9mm since you've obviously got your heart set on it. But if you can't manage to get consistent 3 inch or less groups on target at 15 yards remember what I tell anyone that will listen "A .22 may not be your first handgun but it should jolly well be your second handgun.".

Best of luck with the new gun, whichever it may be and keep in mind all the stuff mentioned in this thread for later if it's needed.
 
Sheeesh! Enough already!

Get one of each. A usable 22 is not going to break the bank. You will find that your 9mm bugdet/trip gets expended pretty darn fast. Then what? Go home. No, break out the 22 have at it until you are ready to go home.

My 2 cents worth.

M
 
My first pistol was a .45, so was my 2nd and 3rd, maybe not the best way to start out but I learned A LOT. Once I learned to handle the recoil and tighten my groups with the .45, every other caliber was no big deal, since then I've got a 40cal and a 9mm. If I could do it over, I would have started with a 9mm and ended with a .45

Sorry for dragging it out. Get a 9mm, you'll have more fun and learn lots. Glock 17 is a good choice, if you want a little less cost maybe try a ruger sr9 but pick what feels right in hand. Just my looong 2cents :)
 
what about 7.62x25?
I ask 'cause I found the Tokarev TT33 at The Ammo Source (SFRC) for cheap- although something makes me think that it would end up being more of a headache- eg: cleaning the cosmoline out, and having to clean the darn thing after every shoot, esp. if using surplus corrosive. At its current price, it looks quite enticing....
 
For the OP, I personally hate the MP cause I find it feels cheap and toyish; especially the trigger. The Glock feels solid and has a solid history of good performance.
 
djmay71 said:
what about 7.62x25?
I ask 'cause I found the Tokarev TT33 at The Ammo Source (SFRC) for cheap- although something makes me think that it would end up being more of a headache- eg: cleaning the cosmoline out, and having to clean the darn thing after every shoot, esp. if using surplus corrosive. At its current price, it looks quite enticing....
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A lot of the surplus 7.62x25 ammo has steel jackets or steel cores in the bullets. This ammo can't be used with steel targets or backstops for safety reasons. If you even THINK that you will eventually want to shoot at ranges with steel targets in matches or the like then the gun can't be used with that ammo. Also a while back there was a lack of surplus 7.62x25 ammo. It's back now I gather but you never know when it'll go away again and leave you with an orphan gun. THis is fine if it's just one of a collection which can then afford to sit in the safe for a couple of years until the ammo returns. But as your only handgun? Not a wise first choice.

Have you actually SHOT a Glock? Do you know for sure that it'll fit your hands well? A lot of us have tried them but they weren't for us. You may be one of those. So I refer you back to my previous thread where I suggested that you contact a local club and see if you can arrange to meet and shoot some members' guns. This would be time and money on ammo wisely spent rather than dive into drinking the "Glockaide" and buy a gun that you haven't even handled.
 
BCRider said:
Have you actually SHOT a Glock? Do you know for sure that it'll fit your hands well? A lot of us have tried them but they weren't for us. You may be one of those. So I refer you back to my previous thread where I suggested that you contact a local club and see if you can arrange to meet and shoot some members' guns. This would be time and money on ammo wisely spent rather than dive into drinking the "Glockaide" and buy a gun that you haven't even handled.
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Haven't handled a Glock 17, but I've handled a Glock 26. Tiny little thing. Ridicuously tiny. Solidly built, but MY GOD, tiny!
From what I read, the 26 is a scaled down 17, so it seems it would fit nicely.

As for the Tokarev, maybe in a year or so, I'll pick it up.
 
I vote you get both! I did exactly that when I started into pistol, bought a Ruger 22/45 and a Browning Hi-Power. Both are great guns! An average day at the range consists of warmup and fun with the .22 and then a cap off with the 9mm for practice/consistancy.

You'll never regret buying either calibre.

As for ammo availability, your profile says Eastern Ontario, so SFRC in Kingston, GunMart in Brockville, GunCo and Lebaron's in Ottawa, Fence Depot in Cornwall. All stock 9mm in multiple GR weights.

Hope that helps with your decision!
 
teller said:
I vote you get both! I did exactly that when I started into pistol, bought a Ruger 22/45 and a Browning Hi-Power. Both are great guns! An average day at the range consists of warmup and fun with the .22 and then a cap off with the 9mm for practice/consistancy.

You'll never regret buying either calibre.

As for ammo availability, your profile says Eastern Ontario, so SFRC in Kingston, GunMart in Brockville, GunCo and Lebaron's in Ottawa, Fence Depot in Cornwall. All stock 9mm in multiple GR weights.

Hope that helps with your decision!
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You sir, picked me perfectly. Living in Cornhole.
 
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