sub-caliber practice

[kscardsfan]

I have a model 18 waiting on me at my FFL (Haven't been home to pick it up due to work a necessary evil I guess), but my question is, is it close enough in balance, handling etc, to make it a viable alternative for live fire practicing instead of my 581 or model 10 and using live centerfire ammo for it? In theory this should work fine for the basics of good pistol handling (sight alingnment, trigger control, etc) but will it handle and feel close enough to my centerfires to work like I'm imagining it?

 

[Faulkner]

In my opinion, yes. But I think sometimes we put too much emphasis on "is my practice gun close enough to my carry gun" when the question should be "do I practice enough."

In our department we do a lot of training with Ruger 22/45's, while our duty carry guns are Glocks. The two are similar enough, but certainly not exact replicas. We get a lot of benefit from training with the .22's, we shoot more and it costs less, but we always close out the training sessions with a couple of magazines through the Glocks.

You have a made a good choice with your M18, putting bullets downrange is what helps make anyone a better shooter.

 

[Jellybean]

Your 18 should feel a little like the model 10, it's very close to a model 15.

I love the feel of the 10s, 13s, 15s, 18s, 19s and etc. but to me the L frames, 581, 681, 586 and 686 suck, in any barrel length. And the reason is balance. But, while it might feel different in your hand it should still help with the 581 too.

I used to have a model 18 and used it for the exact same thing you are asking about. I gave it to my Dad years ago and found a 4", five screw K22. I used to shoot it all day on the 100 yd range, but with the price of .22 ammo nowadays I use my 15s or 67 and shoot handloads.

 

[kscardsfan]

Your 18 should feel a little like the model 10, it's very close to a model 15.

Its funny you mention that, as I am looking at a model 15 that was made into a DAO on the JG website. Are they pretty close in handling characteristics?

 

[David Sinko]

I am much more concerned about keeping my trigger fingers conditioned and I have a DA auto which I have dry fired tens of thousands of times. It saves much wear and tear on good revolvers.

Dave Sinko

 

[Jellybean]

kscardsfan, I think the 15 and 18 feel pretty close to the same. They have pretty much the same contours and sizes. About the only difference is the hole in the barrel and cylinders. They are both very pleasant to shoot.

 

[tac803]

Any shooting you do will help you maintain proficiency.