Rim fire trainer for your regular pistol

[AaronB]

For you all you guys running a Beretta 92 series, has anyone tried out the 92 series .22LR versions they now producing?

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/92fsr-22-sniper-grey/

[BillSWPA]

Before spending the $ to buy a S&W M&P .22 pistol, I checked some holster maker websites to see if they offer holsters for it, and emailed one holster maker, so far without success. If I am not drawing from a holster, what I already own is adequate. Some holster makers do make holsters for Glock type Polymer 80 frames, and Midway has some on sale. So, it looks like a dedicated .22 based on a conversion kit may be the better option.

[Up1911Fan]

Before spending the $ to buy a S&W M&P .22 pistol, I checked some holster maker websites to see if they offer holsters for it, and emailed one holster maker, so far without success. If I am not drawing from a holster, what I already own is adequate. Some holster makers do make holsters for Glock type Polymer 80 frames, and Midway has some on sale. So, it looks like a dedicated .22 based on a conversion kit may be the better option.

I've been trying to get @Tony Mayer on board with the 22 compact, not yet.

[Will_H]

Before spending the $ to buy a S&W M&P .22 pistol, I checked some holster maker websites to see if they offer holsters for it, and emailed one holster maker, so far without success. If I am not drawing from a holster, what I already own is adequate. Some holster makers do make holsters for Glock type Polymer 80 frames, and Midway has some on sale. So, it looks like a dedicated .22 based on a conversion kit may be the better option.

Bill, my "full size" M&P 22 pistol fits fine in my regular M&P 9 FS holsters.

[Jeff22]

22 conversion units

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This is a topic near and dear to my heart. I started shooting .22 conversion units about 35 years ago, when I was a poor student. About the same time Jerry Usher had an article in (I think) the American Handgunner Annual advocating the use of what he called "understudy" guns for economical practice.

During my military service I used an M-16 (three different models, actually) and carried (in order) an S&W 15 revolver, an M1911A1 and then an M9. I have personal examples of all of those guns.

Over the years I acquired a S&W 18 (.22 cal combat masterpiece), a Colt Ace (.22 on the O frame) and a Ciener and then later a Beretta “practice kit” for the M9. And an Atchisson and then a Colt conversion unit for the AR-15. In recent years I bought a S&W M&P 15-22 rifle (which works really well)

(I also have a S&W 650 in .22 to go with my S&W 60 HB 3 inch, an argentine .22 conversion unit for my Browning P35, a Sig conversion unit I bought in 2008 for my 9mm 226 & 226-DAK in .40 cal, and a Walther PPK/S in .22 that I use as a practice gun for my Walther PPK & Sig 230. I also have a S&W M&P pistol in .22. One of the current Colt marked M1911 pattern pistols is also on my list of potential purchases, depending on what happens with the availability of .22 LR ammunition)

In my military service I was an LE Specialist in the SPs in the ANG, an MP in the ARNG and then finished up back in the ANG as a CATM instructor. Back in the 80s we had access to the 50 foot indoor range at the local ARNG armory, which had a mild steel backstop and was limited to .22s. Shot thousands of rounds in there, and at the ROTC range on campus (I was enlisted, but I had a friend who was in the ROTC and he was able to get me in a few times) which was also limited to .22 because of a soft steel backstop and questionable ventilation . . .

I've done LOTS of shooting with all of them. I find it works best to do accuracy drills with the .22s. They don't have much recoil, but the balance and trigger pull and sight picture are all the same.

For practice with the bigger guns I usually use an IPSC or IDPA target or an NRA B-34 (1/2 scale) target. For the .22s I usually use the ½ scale B-34 targets or the 1/3rd scale B-29 or TQ-16 or TQ-20 or TQ-22 targets . I basically do my same set of drills at the same distances, but on a much smaller target. It helps a LOT to keep in tune and not spend as much money doing it.

The Ciener unit for the Beretta M9 is serviceable. The Beretta factory unit works better, and does have a hammer de-cocker/safety, just like the original.

The Ciener unit for the Glock is marginally reliable. Mine worked better after I had the chamber and the sides of the extractor where it pivots in the frame polished. If I clean it every 150 rounds or so, use good quality ammo and lube it well, it works reasonably well.

I have found the Advantage Arms conversion unit for the Glock to be a joy to shoot, provided that you use high velocity ammunition with a plated bullet. The same thing is true for the Sig conversion. As long as you run ammo with a plated bullet at 1230 fps or so, they work pretty well. With slower ammo you’ll have many failures to go fully into battery, which is aggravating. (CCI mini-mags work the best)

I have the conversions for the G19 and G22 on dedicated Glock frames that I bought from Glockmeister. I tried to talk Sig into selling me a frame to put my conversion unit on, but was unsuccessful.

I bought my Atchisson conversion for the AR-15 in 1982 from Bro-Caliber International in Cincinnati. It was very rough and didn't work very well. Based on a 1985 article in SOLDIER OF FORTUNE Magazine I sent my conversion unit off to John Norrell Arms (now in Little Rock, Arkansas) and paid him almost $300 to tune it up so it would work. IT WAS MONEY WELL SPENT! As long as I keep the unit reasonably clean and well lubed and use good ammo, it'll shoot all day every day. (www,johnnorrellarms.com) (I don't know if he still adjusts conversion units like that or not . . . )

I also have a Ciener converter for an AK-47 . I’ve had it for years and haven’t shot it that much. And not in a long time. That sounds like a good project for this winter.

Of course, the S&W .22 revolvers are a joy to shoot. Particularly the model 18.

The Argentine conversion unit for the Browning HP is pretty good as well. Like all the rest, kept clean, lubed well and fed good quality ammo, it shoots fairly reliably. (I bought mine from Sportsman's Guide about 15 years ago. There was another importer as well, but I haven't seen them advertised for quite a while now)

Peter Stahl in Germany also made conversion units for the Sig P6 (M225) and various of the Smith & Wesson auto pistols. I'm not sure they were ever imported into the US in any numbers. I tried to order a .22 conversion for my S&W 39 about 30 years ago but was unsuccessful.

MANY years ago you’d see ads in SHOTGUN NEWS for .22 converters for the P38 pistol. I've never seen one and have no idea how well they work.

None of my conversion units for the AR platform are the least ammo sensitive.

The Colt Ace & Beretta factory conversion unit will function with anything. Sig recommends CCI mini-mags in their conversions, and I believe that Advantage Arms recommends Remington Golden Bullets.

Of course, many of the advantages to be found using a .22 for practice are negated when .22 ammo is hard to find and/or really expensive.

[cistercian]

I have a 1911 wadgun my dad used in the 70's for NRA bullseye. I also have his .22 cal SW model 41 which is a nice
pistol to train with if you are a 1911 driver. I prize both highly but I really prefer the 41. It is more accurate.
We ransom rest tested it at 50 yards and it kept all holes in an area much less than a dime with good ammo.
When I need to really step it up I use it to see how well I am doing. With the model 41 I have, if the group is bad
I am certain it is totally my fault. It is the most accurate pistol I own. I am fortunate to have it, and it has a trigger
that breaks at exactly 3 lbs. It was also lightened at the muzzle by the gunsmith my dad bought it from.
Trigger travel is 50 thousandths of an inch and more than 1 RO asked if I was shooting a FA pistol when I got
enthusiastic with it!

I now shoot 9mm exclusively...I decided I would master the pistols and work though the challenges the stock configuration presented.
My hardest one for tiny groups is my MK25, yet the grip on it fits me so well it is ideal for rapidly engaging different targets. My M9A3
makes good groups and is ok dynamically. And my Legion SAO 226 makes the smallest groups and is also very good dynamically.

I note the group size directly corresponds to trigger pull weight. Dynamic handling depends directly on how well the grip fits.

The SAO legion is the best overall...but none in my stable are bad.

None of the 9mm are even close to the S&W Model 41. It is like a laser that emits 40grn lead photons!!! Because it has a superlative trigger and sights
it now has limited use for serious practice for me. I may whip it out if I feel the need to make crazy small groups and need the reassurance I am
not totally blind!!! It is a ridiculous pistol and if you can buy one...I cannot recommend it highly enough!!!
My copy was made in the mid 60's. YMMV.

[JSGlock34]

This thread is rekindling my interest in one of the Beretta 92 rimfire conversion kits...

Having just got into the 92's I'm on the same boat.

Me too. The fact that Beretta is selling the conversion kits at 30% off (+ free shipping) for Black Friday isn't helping.

Beretta New Conversion Practice Kit .22LR for 92 Series (Practice Kit) - 15Rds mag

[awp_101]

That sound you hear is my Black Friday ammo deal money screaming "Spend me!"

[Wyoming Shooter]

I bought this Smith 617 the summer of 2018 and now have approximately 500 rounds through it. The pistol has been trouble free. I scrub the cylinder and run a bore snake down the barrel every 100 rounds or so. CCI Standard Velocity shoots just fine. It's been a useful training tool, and much fun. From the Big Empty, ELN.

[awp_101]

Me too. The fact that Beretta is selling the conversion kits at 30% off (+ free shipping) for Black Friday isn't helping.

Beretta New Conversion Practice Kit .22LR for 92 Series (Practice Kit) - 15Rds mag

Aaaaand now one will be shipping to me the next business day they're open...