Training with a .22 for a .38 spcl competition

Hi Folks,

I'm interested in competing in distinguished revolver matches.  Up until recently I've mostly been a two handed shooter.  Now that I'm practicing more one handed shooting at the range with .38 special ammo in my Smith and Wesson 686, it aggravates my tendonitis.  So my thought is, I'll buy myself a S&W 617, which is sort of a .22 caliber version of the 686, to do most of my live fire practice with.  It will spare my old bones and save me some money in ammo.  But my worry is that doing most of my practice with the  almost non-existent recoil of a .22 will mess me up when I go back to shooting .38 special in competition.   

What do you all think?  Thanks in advance for your advice.

Practice with lite wadcutter ammo?

While I am a big fan of 22 conversions for bullseye, because you have to have a 22 to shoot a complete match, unless you already have to 617 I don't see how you will save money in ammo. plus you have to find .22lr, not cheap anymore. 
I thought about this too for PPC practice, you can buy a whole bunch of 148gr bulllets for the price of a 617.
If gripping the pistol is hurting your tendonitis then I would suggest using a different grip and doing all the exercises needed to keep it in check.

There are 115 to 125 gr wadcutters out there but you may have to cast your own.  Or shoot 9mm bullets loaded light.  Could also go with a S&W K-32 and shoot 95 wadcutters???  More options.

mooseheadpiper wrote:But my worry is that doing most of my practice with the  almost non-existent recoil of a .22 will mess me up when I go back to shooting .38 special in competition.   

What do you all think?  Thanks in advance for your advice.

There's enough recoil in a .22 to keep you honest - the recoil will still move the sights. You will be able to practice the recovery and re-acquisition of the sights/sight-picture more easily and more cheaply than with the .38 Special.

In short, I think practicing with a .22 is a good idea. Practicing with a .38 is also a good idea.

If it's recoil that's messing with your tendonitis get one of those tendonitis bands and use it!!!  Use it every time you are shooting.

Also if recoil is the culprit, you really need to load your own softer recoiling ammo, and if you can afford the .22 revolver go that route.

Remember that DR requires you to use 158gr LRN or LSWC bullets.  See my post about "DR loads that don't suck" and good luck!

Now that they have 22LR distinguished you have a reason to buy a 617. 

With me my tendinitis was aggravated by cocking the revolver hammer so I don't think a 22lr will help with that. 

I got a good brace from Go Bros. they are online. 

Arm stretches helped the most 90% in a month and 100% with Ibuprofen. 

I also made changes to my grip and stance paying a price short term in my scores but less then the price of a flareup during a match. 

If you have access to Yur Yev's book he has a chapter on stance and holding pistols, that helped sort things out.

I shoot a K 38 in the centerfire portion of the 2700.  Was a cop long enough ago that revolvers seem more natural to me than the auto's.

I recently acquired a K 22 and fixed it up to shoot the 22 portion with it. I think it is good practice and it also makes sense in the same way that 1911 shooters want to shoot a conversion in the 22 section.  My only frustration is that I cannot get reliable ignition with the 22 when I have the mainspring as light as I use it in my K 38 using Federal primers.  It's not bad, just not the same.  A 45 revolver is next on the list; would love to shoot a 2700 with all revolvers.

+1 on trying different stances and grips with that wheelgun.