We recently put up a post about training with the .22LR based on a some of our experience. It generated a lot of emails from people who were looking to get started with .22LR training or who shared their experiences with it. In the article, I mentioned that the practice was seeing growing industry acceptance and a few of you asked about who you could train with that allowed this money saving option.
The first thing that you should know is that there are likely many trainers who don’t expressly state that they allow .22LR training firearms in their classes but who will allow it if asked. Don’t miss an opportunity to train with someone just because they haven’t come right out and said “Come train with your .22LR!” If there is someone you want to train with, a simple email will often clear up any confusion about whether or not they allow .22LR training firearms in their courses and what stipulations they might have around .22LR training firearms. Always ask first before you show up with a firearm that the trainer doesn’t allow.
There are certainly others out there but here are two excellent training outfits that expressed consent for using .22LR training firearms in their courses:
Magpul Dynamics (from their Facebook Page)
Magpul Dynamics Pricing and Ammunition Requirement Update”
In an effort to make training more accessible in these times of increased prices and reduced availability, Magpul Dynamics has updated their pricing structure, round counts, and acceptable calibers for the 2013 training year.
Effective immediately, all three-day classes are reduced to $600 per student, and two-day classes are reduced to $450 per student. In addition, the curriculum has been revised for all pistol/carbine courses based on the changes occurring over the past year to allow for maximum training value at a slightly reduced round count. Also, we are temporarily allowing the use of pistol-caliber carbines and 22LR AR-15 pattern training rifles in the carbine classes. Please understand that there are many drawbacks to training with 22LR as opposed to normal rifle platforms, but significant training value will still exist. We expect a full return to allowing rifle-caliber rounds only in the future as the ammunition supply catches up with current demand and ammunition prices return to a reasonable level. However, we understand the financial burden placed on students with the current state of the economy and the rapid rise in retail pricing in the ammunition industry. We firmly believe in the value of quality firearms training and are committed to providing quality products and services at a fair price.
Duane, Steve, Caylen, and Jon
Low Speed High Drag, LLC (from their Facebook Page)
In light of the current ammunition situation (and the resultant uncertainty in ammunition supply and cost in the coming months) LSHD has decided to authorize the use of .22lr carbines and pistols in the Fundamental Carbine and Pistol programs. The guns must be of a type which function like their full-power counterparts. Any testing or standards during class will be run on full-power guns, but .22s will allow marksmanship and gun handling at a fraction of the normal ammunition cost. Please ensure that you find a .22 load that cycles your particular gun reliably. – Jay
Finally, I always appreciate the perspective of Mike at Appalachian Training on training issues. This is from the Appalachian Training Facebook Page:
.22 for training. These is a current renewed interest in the .22 for training driven by ammo cost and availability. Jerking the Trigger has a good laydown on his blog currently that provides some good advice when selecting a .22 trainer. Definitely worth a look. The .22 should not replace service caliber training cartridges wholesale. While it can readily identify and allow the shooter to develop and correct trigger control issues, it will not provide the necessary “full benefit” of a higher power cartridge. Weight, recoil, manual of arms, holdovers and capabilities cannot be replicated. We shouldn’t try to make the .22 something it isn’t, but they do have a place in one’s training regimen to mitigate some of today’s ammo costs and sporadic availability. The .22 is great for the beginning shooter to work out basics before moving to full power cartridges… or for the experienced shooter that is switched on and has a good handle on recoil management, running their gun, malf clearance etc to maintain trigger control skills / specific drills. But he still has to go back to the larger cartridges; again the .22 does not replace full caliber training. Bottom line is the .22s have a place, probably even more so with today’s environment. And they are a great way to augment personal training regimens. Stay Safe – M2
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