I picked up a 22 Compact and finally had a chance to shoot it this weekend. I bought it for two reasons. First, as a legitimate training alternative to my Shield 9mm. Second, as a great platform to introduce new shooters to handguns.
I have to say that I really like this gun. It is a great shooter - smooth and obviously no real recoil. I didn't realize how much fun it would be to shoot, but it really is fun!
My wife and my son and daughter (ages 14 and 11) met up with a friend and two of his children. Both of my kids, and one of his shot the 22c having never shot a handgun before. All three really liked it and want to shoot again. Unfortunately, my wife didn't want to shoot, but hopefully I will get her out there soon. I do know that this is a perfect gun if/when she does decide to try.
I'm also happy with the idea of this gun being a good training alternative to me Shield. The grip is basically identical (I'm sure someone will point out the technical specs and say it is not identical, but in real life they feel the same to me) and the controls are basically the same (other than the safety which I don't use on the shield).
We put about 150 rounds through the gun and the only issue I had was with a mag of CCI Quiets that I shot as an experiment. They didn't cycle the gun, but that is totally expected and not a failure of the gun. That ammo just doesn't have enough power to cycle it. Those rounds aren't any quieter in a handgun anyway (something I knew in theory, but had to try in real life) so there isn't any reason to use them anyway. It did fine with CCI SV and CCI mini mag. If we had more time, we absolutely would have put more rounds downrange, but our schedule only allowed for about an hour to shoot.
Accuracy seemed fine. I'm sure it wouldn't be a great choice for precision target shooting, but for general plinking and training it is going to be just fine.
Over all, I'm over the moon with this gun. IMHO it is the perfect platform to teach new shooters when you only have one chance to make a positive and fun first experience. It's also fun to shoot even as an experienced shooter. The only thing that could make it better is a suppressor, and this gun has a threaded barrel even if it doesn't come with a threaded adapter. I just need to start saving my pennies to get one!
If you don't already have a .22 handgun, I would wholeheartedly recommend the 22c has a great choice.
I have to say that I really like this gun. It is a great shooter - smooth and obviously no real recoil. I didn't realize how much fun it would be to shoot, but it really is fun!
My wife and my son and daughter (ages 14 and 11) met up with a friend and two of his children. Both of my kids, and one of his shot the 22c having never shot a handgun before. All three really liked it and want to shoot again. Unfortunately, my wife didn't want to shoot, but hopefully I will get her out there soon. I do know that this is a perfect gun if/when she does decide to try.
I'm also happy with the idea of this gun being a good training alternative to me Shield. The grip is basically identical (I'm sure someone will point out the technical specs and say it is not identical, but in real life they feel the same to me) and the controls are basically the same (other than the safety which I don't use on the shield).
We put about 150 rounds through the gun and the only issue I had was with a mag of CCI Quiets that I shot as an experiment. They didn't cycle the gun, but that is totally expected and not a failure of the gun. That ammo just doesn't have enough power to cycle it. Those rounds aren't any quieter in a handgun anyway (something I knew in theory, but had to try in real life) so there isn't any reason to use them anyway. It did fine with CCI SV and CCI mini mag. If we had more time, we absolutely would have put more rounds downrange, but our schedule only allowed for about an hour to shoot.
Accuracy seemed fine. I'm sure it wouldn't be a great choice for precision target shooting, but for general plinking and training it is going to be just fine.
Over all, I'm over the moon with this gun. IMHO it is the perfect platform to teach new shooters when you only have one chance to make a positive and fun first experience. It's also fun to shoot even as an experienced shooter. The only thing that could make it better is a suppressor, and this gun has a threaded barrel even if it doesn't come with a threaded adapter. I just need to start saving my pennies to get one!
If you don't already have a .22 handgun, I would wholeheartedly recommend the 22c has a great choice.
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