M&P 22 as cheap practice for M&P 40 full size?

[Back2School]

I have a M&P 40 full size and was thinking of picking up a M&P 22. I already have an old Ruger Mark II Target I have had since the 80s so its kinda hard for me to justify buying another. But, I was thinking it would be a great way to get in extra practice time for kinda cheap.

So my question is:
Is the M&P 22 close enough to the real thing to be able to use to practice with?

 

[JM4151]

S & W 22 pistol

I have an M & P 9C and also the S & W 22. They are very similar. I have many 22 handguns inc a Ruger with a red dot sight that just about puts every bullet in the same hole, but that S & W 22 is a gun that frequently goes to the range with me. It feels good, is accurate and shoots with no problems!

 

[rdtompki]

I have both an M&P 40 and an M&P 22. I think the training value of using the 22 is a very individual thing, but if you're doing some shooting that consumes a lot of ammo (e.g., steel?) and you prefer 22lr, then at least you're using a handgun which has a very similar feel and similar sights once you black out the white dots on the 40 cal (I have fluorescent orange on my front sight). My experience is limited, but if you're working hammer-fire, double and triple taps, the absence of recoil with the 22lr would, I believe, really limit the training value.

And for reloads, etc, the mags are of course very different and the recoil spring is nothing, so no training value there to speak of IMO.

 

[handgunner356]

Any trigger time is good to get, if it means you'll shoot more rounds by having a .22 then by all means get one. The size and feel of the M&P 22 is the closest you can get to the full size, although it doesn't have the recoil it will help with sight alignment and trigger control.

 

[alfonzo]

I just took out my M&P .22 pistol. Brand new in the box. We shot
over 200 rounds and only had one failure due to ammo and not
the gun. I was really impressed by its accuracy. For the price its probably the best training pistol out there. The light trigger pull is also a plus...

 

[M&P Freak]

Same sights on both. It works very well for me, the hard part is finding 22lr.

 

[growr]

The theory is good.... the reality is..where are you finding any .22 lr ammo to feed this thing?

Randy

 

[Back2School]

I have been able to scrounge about 700 rounds over the last few months. but only shot through about 200. I have been playing with the 9mm and the .40.

Just ordered 500 .40 for just over $100. That's close to what cheaper than dirt was selling 500 .22 for last year

 

[nrz]

I bought one for the sole purpose of teaching new shooters how to handle a semi auto. I also just like plinking with it when I go to the range. I was able to pick up about 2k rounds of .22lr a little while back for $.06 a round so if the stars align for you, it's not a bad gun to own.

 

[fdw]

I've got a 9 FS and had a 22. I didn't see any value in training with the 22. Although they feel somewhat similar they are just two completely different guns. Sold the 22.

I shoot a lot of 9.

 

[Ranger17]

speaking for myself (a newer shooter) with most of my "experience" on my buckmark and only about 3 months on my 9c; i take both the the range each time. 50-100 rounds in the 9 to work on everything involved, then finish with 1-200 rounds thru the .22 for basically some fun/practice time.
I can see how spending time shooting even the .22 (and yes i know the buckmark is not the exact same layout as the S&W) is helpful as i continue to learn and get better; but i wouldnt consider it as my only practice piece. Too many variables between the 2 calibers to do that. Again just thinking on myself here, others with more experience may not have same thoughts/concerns.