RE: May 2009: .22 Caliber for Training

I have used .22s for training before, and I find it especially helpful when teaching someone who has never been shooting before. I always start kids on .22's for example.

But I have never worried about converting the existing weapon to .22. I find that it is cheaper for me to just buy a weapon designed as a 22 to begin with. The designed weapons are easier to find and maintain. The basics of marksmanship will apply to both weapons and will transfer to the assigned duty weapon. The differences in the operation of the duty weapon are usually minimal and can be handled by training. It also helps the new shooter to keep the two weapons separate in their mind, which will help them in adjusting to the recoil too.