First handgun question 9mm vs 22 lr

LongRangeJunkie

LongRangeJunkie

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Hey there just looking for some advice on my first pistol purchase. Not necessarily the manufacturer I am going with. More so the caliber. I'm not a small guy and I know I can handle my firearms safely. Just wondering if it's beneficial for me to start with a 22 lr for proper stance, technique, control and of course money savings.

Quite like the beretta 92 fs models. They also have a 22 lr version of the 92 though it's called something else I can't recall at the moment.

Looking for opinions and your own experiences on what abunch of you have done when starting out in the fantastic world of handguns. Just passed my restricted course today and excited on my first purchase down the road. Researching now ! Open to all criticism and advice.

Thanks in advance :)

KB :sniper:
 
I had the same dilemma earlier this year when I got my RPAL. I wanted to start with a 9mm because that's what I had shot while on vacation in the US. The advice I got from some friends was to start with a .22 LR. I did that and I'm glad I did. I've been through a lot of ammo with it shooting bullseye and it doesn't break the bank. After about 2 1/2 months of shooting the .22 regularly (at least once a week) I took the plunge a purchased a 9mm here on the EE. I just got it Wednesday and had it out to the range for the first time on Friday and loved it. But I'm glad I went with the .22 first to develop good shooting habits. I will probably continue to shoot it more than the 9mm simply because it's more economical and probably a bit more accurate for bullseye competition. So the .22 for bullseye and the 9mm when I just want to have some fun!
 
Definitely .22. My first was a .22 second was a 9mm. To this day I still shoot my .22 ten times as much as my 9mm. I don't get much more thrill out of shooting 9 than I do the .22,so it's hard to justify paying three times as much per round. I would definately start with a .22. And if you have a certain 9mm in mind. There are plenty of guns that have a .22 or version or similar ergonomics to train yourself for the 9
 
My first was a 22 too. Never shoot it any more. The choice probably depends on where you want to go. If you're happy just punching paper then maybe there's a case for the 22, although the 9mm is much more fun. If you want to get into more action e.g. IDPA or IPSC then you're gonna need the 9mm anyway.
 
There's good reasons for buying a 22 for your first pistol, but the part I could never get passed was the fact that they're boring as hell to shoot.
 
FoxAlpha said:
There's good reasons for buying a 22 for your first pistol, but the part I could never get passed was the fact that they're boring as hell to shoot.
Click to expand...

Lol couldn't agree with this more.

I would suggest 9mm.
Get used to training and shooting with a firearm/caliber that you intend to use the most.
 
.22...The only reason I shoot centerfire handguns is for the bigger bang and challenge of it. In a semi auto, I don't get alot of addition recoil moving from the .22 to a 9mm and it cost significantly more. If I'm shooting centerfire I prefer a 45ACP or 357 mag.
 
Get a 9mm that has a 22lr conversion kit. They have them for glocks, 1911s, p226 and a few others.

Start off with the 22 cuz it's cheaper and then move up to the 9mm.

That way you get used to the same trigger, same sights, same grip, etc...
 
if you're like me, the 22 will be fun to shoot but a 9mm is more so. since a ruger mark ii costs 300 to 350 on the EE, you won't be sorry to have one as an option when you go to the range. but if you're only getting one restricted to start, I'd suggest a 9mm pistol as the first purchase as long as you're not after precision shooting.
 
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Personally, I grew up shooting air pistols and I still do on a regular basis. Because of this I never really got into .22 pistols and I've had quite a few.

Now I have a few .357 revolvers and a 9mm that I use primarily for action shooting. I shoot the air pistols in the basement and at the cottage quite a bit so get a lot of practice with them. I own a Weihrauch HW45 and an HW40, mind you they are about the same kind of money of a .22 pistol but I get as much enjoyment out of them. Depending on what sort of CF pistol you buy you can most likely find a similar air pistol to learn the fundamentals.


But, if you want to shoot bulls eye get yourself a .22 pistol as well as your 9 and forget what I said...lol
 
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9MM and dryfire.

your only training to defeat the flinch. and from 22-9 if your scared of a 9, shooting a 22 for 10000 rounds will be no help in combating your blink.

9mm, read up and you tube if you find your flinching.

22 for training is the biggest waste of money as all training for centerfire guns is training to handle the Recoil!

anyone can shoot accurately slowly. Can you shoot accurately fast? That is 100% recoil management.
 
Another vote for the 22 , i would also add that if you know what you are interested in already in a larger caliber
1911,beretta 92fs etc , there are many 22lr models that copy these larger caliber platforms
so not only do you get practice but on a similar platform
ex i know i will have a 1911 45 acp , so the gsg 1911 22lr is a great trainer
Cheers
 
9mm I had my P226, way way before I, ordered up the PPQ 5" 22LR the M&P .22LR pistol is internally the same gun as the PPQ they are built in the same factory in Germany just exterior looks are different that's just a heads up. Smith and Walther work with each other Smith is marketing Walther product in North America.
 
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