Being laughed at shooting a .22 at the range?????

Everybody who's shot my model 18 has since purchased a 22lr Smith and Wesson revolver. My wife and I even used it to qualify for CCW permits with it. I haven't heard any laughing.
 
Anyone that laughs at you for shooting a .22 is beyond ignorant. People like that are best ignored.
 
Let them laugh.

IMG_4263.jpg


011jpg-1.jpg
 
Some of you guys are a bad influence! Now I'm going to have to pack my 4" .500 in my bag every time I take a .22 to the range hoping for that one special day when I encounter a blow-hard.
 
No matter what else goes to the range with me, I always have either a K-22, a Woodsman or a 10" Bull Barrel Ruger MkII Target with me, sometimes 2 or all three of them. I usually end up each range session with a few hundred rounds of the .22(s). Never been laughed at, even when I lived in the city and would go out to the Black Canyon (now renamed Ben Avery) Shooting Range. Usually, a group would gather around to watch one small hole become a very slightly larger hole. On the rifle side, my Marlin 39A is quite accurate, and a pleasure to shoot, and my Winchester 52 is a very serious target rifle (1939 vintage, still capable of winning competitions). Not only are .22s serious fun, they will give you a lot of practice for very little ammo expense. Great for small game, too! I have several others, too, those are just some of my favorites.
 
I have found that "macho" types at the range have a hard time achieving shotgun patterns at 10 feet.

I've noticed this as well. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but they've got all the gizmos and contraptions that make them a tactical superman.
 
Some of you guys are a bad influence! Now I'm going to have to pack my 4" .500 in my bag every time I take a .22 to the range hoping for that one special day when I encounter a blow-hard.

Do it... my wife has cleared an indoor range of black plastic shooting smirkers with one of our .44 magnums.
I honestly think the blast is more intimidating for most people than the actual recoil.
I need to put a few thru a 4" .500 before I buy one.


Jim
 
I have a Ruger Super Blackhawk .44 magnum with a 4 5/8" barrel. It is quite an idiot getter ridder of-er on an indoor range.

Like some of you have mentioned, I don't think I've ever gone to a range without at least one .22.
 
Back when the Dirty Harry craze was going on ( I was 16), a couple of guys with a 44 Mag approached the firing point where my Dad was critiquing my latest groups with a Model 17 .22 and a Model 14 .38 Special. One of the fellows commented how the two revolver's were "ladies guns". My Dad observed my quarter to half dollar size groups (at 25 yards, firing offhand) to their buckshot pattern at 15 yards and replied that quite frankly he would be more worried about me shooting at him with the .22 than them shooting at him with the .44. They pretty much slunk off and we didn't hear from them again.
 
Regarding being laughed at...

I really dont remember every having that experience in the last 30 years. I do see lots of 22s at the public outdoor range I frequent. I wouldnt care if somebody thought it was a wimp gun or whatever. I have a wonderful CZ452 Lux that makes 5/8 inch groups at 50 yards with either Remington Golden Bullets or Federal 38 gr. HPs. My old Mossberg 46B-B keeps right up with it. It has a peep sight. I shoot my M617 at an indoor range and I only practice double action and I am good!!!!. I dont know if anybody comments on it but I notice more new shooters using 22s and I commend them for it. It makes for a good learning tool and a fun one. I rediscovered my 22s (revolvers) and I got respect for anyone that can use them. However I do shoot my 629 with full loads double action and I do hear people comment on that. Usually they complain about the noise and the concussion. I must admit its funny to me. If you ever shoot competition you must get over the noise or just shooting for fun on a crowded range. It comes with the territory. Everyone enjoy your 22s and shoot safe. Have fun!

PS. Respect every gun regardless of caliber. A Smith 648 is also a good revolver just a little more expensive to shoot. ( I love mine)
 
Last edited:
I always wear hearing protection at the range so I wouldn't hear 'em anyway...:cool:

A half dozen or so of full house .357 that light up the whole range might shut 'em up tho... :rolleyes:

Yeah, laugh at a total stranger who is armed, that's a good idea! (o;

Funny you should mention that. I was commenting on another forum about the large number of VERY fine ladies at my range recently.

Of course everybody demanded pics... yeah..OK... :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
I don't care. They still make sure you aren't ready to shoot before they go downrange. lol

I guess the .22lr still has some respect. haha
 
Thanks

Thanks for all the replies.

I enjoy my pellet rifle at home when I think about it, too. Fun is fun and practice is practice. Sometimes the simple things in life can bring big smiles inside.

Guess S&W was pretty smart when they weighed the 22, 32, and 38 all the same in the 17, 16, and 14 Masterpieces.

Enjoy and be safe!
 
If some one does not like .22 , they don't like shooting. Sounds like a fashion show , bring your big gun, become somebody .Whether is guns, guitars , or motorcycles , it ain't the equipment that makes the man (or woman) , it is the "doin It" .
 
The Opposite

I laugh at the guys and gals sitting in the lobby because the 50 rounds, of center fire, they brought are now all in the backstop.
Low cost trigger time for me, you can laugh all you want, from the lobby.
 
I laugh at the guys and gals sitting in the lobby because the 50 rounds, of center fire, they brought are now all in the backstop.
Low cost trigger time for me, you can laugh all you want, from the lobby.

And THIS is why I like to bring at least 3 rifles...
1 centerfire magnum, 1 military surplus, and 1 .22.


Jim
 
Back
Top