If you mention buying a .22 gun to most people they’ll immediately flip out and say it’s a terrible caliber for self-defense and that you’ll never be able to stop somebody with it. And yes, I agree with this. Personally, I would not carry a .22 revolver or pistol as my carry weapon. The lowest that I would ever go is a 9mm.
However, I certainly think that everyone interested in personal protection should own a .22 revolver or pistol or both. Why? Well, let’s first start out with the fun reason. A .22 is a great gun for “plinking” and you can shoot .22 rounds all day long without breaking the bank.
But that’s not the real reason I want you to buy a .22. I want you to get one for training purposes. You see, if you really want to improve your accuracy and skills, it’s best to start out training with the .22 and make sure that you master all of the fundamentals on the .22 and then move up to the 9mm and larger calibers.
First, start out dry firing with the gun.
Of course, follow all the dry fire safety rules such as having no ammunition in the room and have a safe backstop, etc. Then practice drawing from the holster and achieving a smooth trigger pull. Use a timer and see how quickly you can come out of the holster and take care of your threat.
Do not rush this, whatever you do. The speed will eventually come. Take as much time as you need to safely come out of the holster and up on target. Also, when you’re dry firing, practice drawing the firearm as you carry it in real life. For example, if you always carry concealed in an inside the waistband holster wearing a t-shirt over top, then practice with that same holster, wearing a t-shirt.
I know this sounds obvious and it should be common sense. But far too many people want to make “it easy” so they’ll practice without any concealment clothing, although in a real life situation, they would have to lift up their shirt to draw their gun.
Once you’re proficient with the draw and trigger pull of the .22…
Then it’s time to go to the range for some live-fire. At the range, once again, take your time. Practice the fundamentals, make sure you have a smooth trigger pull and that you’re not jerking the trigger every which way.
Take as much time as you need to “master” the .22 and shoot two inch groups coming from the holster or the low-ready. I realize that most ranges won’t let you draw from the holster, however, I’m not talking about shooting tight groups, while taking all of the time in the world.
I’m talking about shooting tight groups while quickly coming up from the low-ready and firing at your target. Only when you’re shooting consistently with the .22, do you move up to a 9mm.
So here’s why we do this: In short and simple terms, the brain doesn’t like loud bangs. Just think about when you were a kid and I firecracker went off in your hand, or went off close by you – you would automatically flinch.
That’s why many shooters flinch when shooting because they know the loud bang is about to come and their brain flinches away from it. However, the .22 which has lower recoil and “less of a loud bang” will allow you to properly condition the mind and properly train in the fundamentals. Once you’ve learned on the .22 then you move onto bigger and better things.
It’s basically like riding a bike. Start off with training wheels, then once you know how to ride, take them off. I hope this made sense. If not, just trust me and go train with a .22 first.
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