Since the 22 is much easier to master, if you can't pass a given test of skill with it, then why bother using centerfire on that test, hmm? Cause your poor little ego can't handle the idea that you are not a top hand yet? I've been a Class A IPSC shottist since we created the organization in 1976, I KNOW what top level combat pistol performance is. If you aint even got a shot-timer, you don't have a CLUE about such things, that much is guaranteed.
for instance, when I first shot a Leatherslap, in 1976, I averaged 1.30 seconds, 10 yds, 18"24" steel gong, usin a surrender start I was shooting an unmodified Gold Cup, out of a Sparks FBI cant holster. The 1AT, I think it was called. I did not know to go warm up beforehand, I sighted every shot, it was my first competition.
After I got my old sweephand "Krondek" timer, I was able to average .87 second with that same rig, but a different gun, with a ducktail grip safety and speed lever on the thumb-safety, because the timer showed me when and where I was wasting motion and time. 1/3rd faster, world class speed, given a non-competition rig, and I did it in a month! With a truE "speed rig", i was able to average .76 second for the same range, target, and hand start.
A great deal of that practice was done with primer only wax loads, along with a lot of dryfire and .22's thru a Colt 1911 conversion unit. The first shot being the only one that can win such a contest for you, recoil control difference with the .45 meant very little, since I WAS well- accustomed to using the .45.
Being .43 second faster is enough to allow me to hit the attacker 2 more times, if need be, so I consider that a significan't improvement.
If you can't say, run better than a 9 second El Presidente with a .22, and you know very weell that you must get your time under 6 seconds to be anybody, why waste .45 ammo until you can' at LEAST crack 7 seconds with the .22, eh?
There DOES come a point at which the .22 stops helping and starts hurting, at least for .45 use in the matches. Once you can consistently post Class A scores at major matches, then the diff in recoil is hurting you and .22 practice is no longer for you. However, the matches are unrealistic, being at too long distances, with too many enemies for ANYONE to engage with just a pistol, and survive by anything but pure luck.
Realistic practice, with a pocket 9mm, the recoil diff between the 22 doesn't mean as much, because realistic ranges are 10 ft and less, and normally, all that is needed to make the attacker stop is for your gun to become visible to him, lined up on his chest! When a very determined look on your face goes with this "lock-on", very, very few men want to see what will happen next! So recoil and blast differences in how you practice only mean something for that one guy in 5 who makes you actually fire.
for instance, when I first shot a Leatherslap, in 1976, I averaged 1.30 seconds, 10 yds, 18"24" steel gong, usin a surrender start I was shooting an unmodified Gold Cup, out of a Sparks FBI cant holster. The 1AT, I think it was called. I did not know to go warm up beforehand, I sighted every shot, it was my first competition.
After I got my old sweephand "Krondek" timer, I was able to average .87 second with that same rig, but a different gun, with a ducktail grip safety and speed lever on the thumb-safety, because the timer showed me when and where I was wasting motion and time. 1/3rd faster, world class speed, given a non-competition rig, and I did it in a month! With a truE "speed rig", i was able to average .76 second for the same range, target, and hand start.
A great deal of that practice was done with primer only wax loads, along with a lot of dryfire and .22's thru a Colt 1911 conversion unit. The first shot being the only one that can win such a contest for you, recoil control difference with the .45 meant very little, since I WAS well- accustomed to using the .45.
Being .43 second faster is enough to allow me to hit the attacker 2 more times, if need be, so I consider that a significan't improvement.
If you can't say, run better than a 9 second El Presidente with a .22, and you know very weell that you must get your time under 6 seconds to be anybody, why waste .45 ammo until you can' at LEAST crack 7 seconds with the .22, eh?There DOES come a point at which the .22 stops helping and starts hurting, at least for .45 use in the matches. Once you can consistently post Class A scores at major matches, then the diff in recoil is hurting you and .22 practice is no longer for you. However, the matches are unrealistic, being at too long distances, with too many enemies for ANYONE to engage with just a pistol, and survive by anything but pure luck.
Realistic practice, with a pocket 9mm, the recoil diff between the 22 doesn't mean as much, because realistic ranges are 10 ft and less, and normally, all that is needed to make the attacker stop is for your gun to become visible to him, lined up on his chest! When a very determined look on your face goes with this "lock-on", very, very few men want to see what will happen next!
So recoil and blast differences in how you practice only mean something for that one guy in 5 who makes you actually fire.
