I also prefer buying another gun instead of a conversion kit, one gun one log book, an even if ending with differents platforms is positive...., I have the Colt 1911 .22lr and the MKIIi Target Hunter, both are working flawless, very acurate and fun to shot.
Advice on a .22
- Thread starter Sparky64
- Start date
This is a tough one. I personally would by the conversion kit... You need trigger time with one gun to become truly proficient with it, and that is one of the best ways to do it. If you want a "new" gun, I would totally second the Ruger... cheap, and VERY reliable. It might not have the cool factor, but it is a great gun. If you can get ahold of a cheap Norinco m93 they are also a great plinker. ( $150ish) and get the conversion!
You need to decide what you're going to do with a .22. No conversion unit will be good enough accuracy wise for any kind of competitive shooting. Mind you, a Glock, any Glock, isn't a target gun either. A good target .22 will cost a fair bit too.
"...M&P 22..." Isn't a target gun either, but you may not care about that. I'm not seeing anyhing on Smith's site, but it may come with two mags. It's actually a Walther and that sure ain't a bad thing.
"...M&P 22..." Isn't a target gun either, but you may not care about that. I'm not seeing anyhing on Smith's site, but it may come with two mags. It's actually a Walther and that sure ain't a bad thing.
- Location
- West Quebec
Agree for about $575 all in does not look like a great deal..
- Location
- West Quebec
There's another way to achieve good trigger control. It's an odd solution but it worked for me without knowing I did it.
I got to try a S&W revolver, fell in love and bought a Model 19. In learning to shoot it in DA mode with the long pull I had to learn proper trigger discipline. That learning to deal with the long build up made me a better shooter with all the rest of my guns including the 1911. And there's precious few things around that are not as wildly different for hold and trigger pull as a S&W revolver in DA mode and a 1911 with what is basically a "zero movement click" single action trigger.
One good thing with the AA kit for your Glock is that it will be easy to sell later on if you opt to get a dedicated .22 handgun to use instead of the Glock.
I got to try a S&W revolver, fell in love and bought a Model 19. In learning to shoot it in DA mode with the long pull I had to learn proper trigger discipline. That learning to deal with the long build up made me a better shooter with all the rest of my guns including the 1911. And there's precious few things around that are not as wildly different for hold and trigger pull as a S&W revolver in DA mode and a 1911 with what is basically a "zero movement click" single action trigger.
One good thing with the AA kit for your Glock is that it will be easy to sell later on if you opt to get a dedicated .22 handgun to use instead of the Glock.
Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions, you guys are not making this decision any easier, but I appreciate the input.
One other pistol I ran across is the ISSC M22, it has the general look and feel as the Glock and as far as I can tell mags are pretty easy to come by (also comes with 2 in the kit).
I agree the Ruger is a good .22 and I am a Ruger fan, but I'm not to crazy about the aesthetics.
I have about a week or so before I can make the purchase so I will continue to weigh the pros and cons.
Thanks again.
One other pistol I ran across is the ISSC M22, it has the general look and feel as the Glock and as far as I can tell mags are pretty easy to come by (also comes with 2 in the kit).
I agree the Ruger is a good .22 and I am a Ruger fan, but I'm not to crazy about the aesthetics.
I have about a week or so before I can make the purchase so I will continue to weigh the pros and cons.
Thanks again.
I have a Kadet .22LR conversion kit for my Shadow and it's extremely accurate, but $$$$. It also has a fair number of FTE too. I still really like it though and I enjoy the practice with cheap ammo.
That said, there is something to be said for a complete new .22LR pistol and that's key in another aspect of shooting - shooting with friends. The other day at the range a fella came with his 10 y/o son to check things out. He was a former competitive pistol shooter and CF member so I gave him my lane and let him use my Browning Buckmark Lite and all the ammo he wanted to teach his son how to shoot. The Shadow with the Kadet kit was much heavier so it wasn't a good option for this little kid. They left with huge smiles on their faces, all because I had a second pistol there.
That said, there is something to be said for a complete new .22LR pistol and that's key in another aspect of shooting - shooting with friends. The other day at the range a fella came with his 10 y/o son to check things out. He was a former competitive pistol shooter and CF member so I gave him my lane and let him use my Browning Buckmark Lite and all the ammo he wanted to teach his son how to shoot. The Shadow with the Kadet kit was much heavier so it wasn't a good option for this little kid. They left with huge smiles on their faces, all because I had a second pistol there.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
It's already been mentioned but I guess first, try and determine what you want to use it for. With a little structured Bullseye style on the agenda, a decent semi auto might be the order of the day. They also work well for 'plinking' but myself, there I prefer a revolver.
Being retired, I have the time to 'play' and here are the 22's I 'play' with.
Being retired, I have the time to 'play' and here are the 22's I 'play' with.
Ruger makes some great .22 guns...both revolvers and semi autos and they all have been around forever so there are 1000s of aftermarket choices.
My #1 requirement is adjustable sights!!! After that I like easily replaceable/easy to find high wear parts. Firing pins, extractors and so on.
My #1 requirement is adjustable sights!!! After that I like easily replaceable/easy to find high wear parts. Firing pins, extractors and so on.
Being retired, I have the time to 'play' and here are the 22's I 'play' with.
All great looking handguns. I also have a Stainless SP101 and while it isn't my most accurate it's my favorite .22LR Handgun. Great plinker.
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Another vote for the GSG 1911. I have the Sig version but they're the same gun. I'm a big fan of the 1911 platform and I find it has been an invaluable training compliment to my CZ 75 SP-01. Don't let the lesser quality finish of the firearm deter you. Mags and other aftermarket parts are pretty easy to come by, and remember that you've bought this in order to be cost effective so you can continue training on a budget. In 1300 rounds, I have had 5 FTF, 0 FTE. The FTF's were during the break-in period (within the first 200 rounds).
I've also found that shooting my Shadow is more enjoyable. Not only are my groups and recoil control better, the thing feels like a cannon after shooting .22 for a morning. Just 20 rounds of 9mm at the end can get me smiling again.
Here's a bit of advice regardless of which pistol you buy. .22LR semi-automatic firearms can be picky about ammunition. Two of the same gun may want completely different things. I've had no issues running CCI Minimags, Federal Auto Match, and Remington Golden Bullet through my 1911. However, Federal Target loads (red box) just haven't felt right, and were what I got my FTF's with. Meanwhile, my friend with the same GSG 1911 can shoot CCI Minimags, Federal Target and Remington with no issues, but Federal Auto Match will not cycle through her gun. We also found that her Browning Buckmark (another excellent pistol) will feed anything Federal and anything Remington, but will not cycle through anything from CCI. Buy small packs and zero in on what your particular gun likes.
Also, invest in snap caps if you want to dry fire your .22LR. The occasional dry fire with a rimfire will likely not hurt anything but if you find yourself practicing drills in your basement, why take a chance that you'll damage your firing pin?
Where in Alberta are you located? If you're near Edmonton, I'd be happy to let you try my 1911 at a range.
I've also found that shooting my Shadow is more enjoyable. Not only are my groups and recoil control better, the thing feels like a cannon after shooting .22 for a morning. Just 20 rounds of 9mm at the end can get me smiling again.
Here's a bit of advice regardless of which pistol you buy. .22LR semi-automatic firearms can be picky about ammunition. Two of the same gun may want completely different things. I've had no issues running CCI Minimags, Federal Auto Match, and Remington Golden Bullet through my 1911. However, Federal Target loads (red box) just haven't felt right, and were what I got my FTF's with. Meanwhile, my friend with the same GSG 1911 can shoot CCI Minimags, Federal Target and Remington with no issues, but Federal Auto Match will not cycle through her gun. We also found that her Browning Buckmark (another excellent pistol) will feed anything Federal and anything Remington, but will not cycle through anything from CCI. Buy small packs and zero in on what your particular gun likes.
Also, invest in snap caps if you want to dry fire your .22LR. The occasional dry fire with a rimfire will likely not hurt anything but if you find yourself practicing drills in your basement, why take a chance that you'll damage your firing pin?
Where in Alberta are you located? If you're near Edmonton, I'd be happy to let you try my 1911 at a range.
