3.4 in or 5in barrel? (P22)
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
Joined
·
965 Posts
I like the 5" because it's sight radius is longer and the pistol is muzzle-heavy. I get my best scores by adding a 280-gram weight to the muzzle-extension via Leupold QRW rings (w/out the cross-slot stud -- new Leupold rings only), and practice informally.
Then I REMOVE the extra weight and take advantage of the standard P22 Muzzle Weight. The muzzle-heavy pistol practice followed by the plain 5" version works every time. Probably the extra weight trains [warms up the right muscles(?)] and helps hold better a lighter pistol (but with a heavy muzzle P22 5", afterwards.
I cannot do the same w/the 3.4" version, which has the best looks, though.
![]()
Then I REMOVE the extra weight and take advantage of the standard P22 Muzzle Weight. The muzzle-heavy pistol practice followed by the plain 5" version works every time. Probably the extra weight trains [warms up the right muscles(?)] and helps hold better a lighter pistol (but with a heavy muzzle P22 5", afterwards.
I cannot do the same w/the 3.4" version, which has the best looks, though.
Joined
·
67 Posts
I have the 5" barrel and like it very much, but I suspect the reassembly after cleaning is easier with the 3.5" barrel. The 5" barrel uses a plug in the recoil spring to get the spring properly positioned in the slide.
Gentlemen-I'm just getting into shooting pistols and recently acquired a P22 with the 3.4 barrel. Got to the range once and shot about 150 rounds of Federal 36 gr. copper plated HP's, with one FTE. Gun is very light but fun to shoot. The first few shots were down and to the left and since I didn't have any tools with me and didn't want to start taking everything apart to push out the front sight from underneath with a screwdriver to install the lower sight like the instruction manual says, I was only able to adjust the windage and aim a little higher to get close to the bullseye. I disassembled the gun when I got home and changed the front sight, but it seems there should be a better way of doing that without having to take it apart and put it together. I guess I could have pulled it out with a pair of pliers but I was afraid it might break off, and like I said, I'm new to this stuff and a little leery about taking the gun apart. Just hope I put it back together OK. Guess I'll find out the next time I shoot it. I also just ordered the 5" barrel from cheaperthandirt.com and am curious to see if it will make much of a difference in accuracy. But I'm not entering any competitions so I'm not too concerned with putting 10 bullets through the same hole. Just want to have some fun. Also, had a weird experience with the magazine. It felt loose and actually started to drop out after I shot it a couple of times. Guess my fat fingers must have pushed down on the mag release while I was holding it. Ever happen to anyone else? Any hints or suggestions you experienced guys could provide on ammo, takedown/reassembly, cleaning, etc., would be greatly appreciated by this newbie. Thanks.
Hi agent2440. I'm a new shooter also, and also have a P22 with the short barrel. In my first three months I've learned all sorts of wrong things that I'm doing that cause me to consistently strike the target in one area or another. If you Google for "Target Pistol Shot Analysis", you'll find a link to http://www.targetshooting.ca/docs/Pistol_Shot_Analysis.pdf that will tell you that hitting down and to the left of center may be caused by a pull on the trigger by a right-handed shooter that exerts a slight downward pressure instead of straight back. My personal failing is to hit down-and-right, which may be caused by "pulling on trigger; snatching; anticipating." I'd suggest that, especially because you say your are just getting into shooting pistols, the problems you are experiencing at the range may be more in your technique rather than in the gun. Indeed, compensating for this by adjusting the gun will not only keep you from fixing your technique, but it will also only work as long as everything in your technique remains the same.
Although it's possible that the fault is in the pistol, as a beginner (like myself), it seems more likely it might be your technique. That's what I've discovered, and where I continue to work.
Here's the litany I try to use when I go shooting:
Grip the gun high so the impulse drives it as straight back as possible;
Position my right finger off the trigger temporarily, and wrap my left hand around the right with my left forefinger on the front of the trigger guard (this gave me a significant improvement in getting rid of the down-right tendency);
Move my right forefinger onto the trigger and touching the trigger in the top-to-bottom and left-to-right midpoint, and with the middle of the pad of that finger;
Align the sights using my right eye, and focus on the rear sight, not the target but keep my left eye open -- this can be challenging as you'll now "see" two targets -- keep the sights aligned and aim for the target on the right (squint or momentarily close your left, non-aiming eye if you're not sure what you're aiming at to verify the aim);
Hold that aim on the target [Hah! This is really tough -- I wiggle all over the place -- "practice, practice, practice" is the advice I hear];
Take a breath, let out about 50% and gently hold your breath;
Start tightening (pulling) the trigger finger and focus on pulling straight back -- when the shot fires, you should be surprised -- if you're pulling fast enough to know when the gun will fire, then you're pulling too fast (I was told). The shot should be a surprise when it does off.
That's a lot to remember but, for me, this makes a BIG difference. My groups are still much bigger than the expert shooters around me but they are also a far sight (no pun intended) better than what I was getting a month ago.
From one beginner to another, Good Luck!
Although it's possible that the fault is in the pistol, as a beginner (like myself), it seems more likely it might be your technique. That's what I've discovered, and where I continue to work.
Here's the litany I try to use when I go shooting:
Grip the gun high so the impulse drives it as straight back as possible;
Position my right finger off the trigger temporarily, and wrap my left hand around the right with my left forefinger on the front of the trigger guard (this gave me a significant improvement in getting rid of the down-right tendency);
Move my right forefinger onto the trigger and touching the trigger in the top-to-bottom and left-to-right midpoint, and with the middle of the pad of that finger;
Align the sights using my right eye, and focus on the rear sight, not the target but keep my left eye open -- this can be challenging as you'll now "see" two targets -- keep the sights aligned and aim for the target on the right (squint or momentarily close your left, non-aiming eye if you're not sure what you're aiming at to verify the aim);
Hold that aim on the target [Hah! This is really tough -- I wiggle all over the place -- "practice, practice, practice" is the advice I hear];
Take a breath, let out about 50% and gently hold your breath;
Start tightening (pulling) the trigger finger and focus on pulling straight back -- when the shot fires, you should be surprised -- if you're pulling fast enough to know when the gun will fire, then you're pulling too fast (I was told). The shot should be a surprise when it does off.
That's a lot to remember but, for me, this makes a BIG difference. My groups are still much bigger than the expert shooters around me but they are also a far sight (no pun intended) better than what I was getting a month ago.
From one beginner to another, Good Luck!
Hi edski,
Thanks for the pointers. I wouldn't be surprised if my trigger pull had something to do with the down/left syndrome. I'll try to use them the next time I'm at the range, which hopefully will be in the next few weeks. Any comments on some of the other stuff I mentioned, like the experience with the magazine dropping out? Thanks again.
Thanks for the pointers. I wouldn't be surprised if my trigger pull had something to do with the down/left syndrome. I'll try to use them the next time I'm at the range, which hopefully will be in the next few weeks. Any comments on some of the other stuff I mentioned, like the experience with the magazine dropping out? Thanks again.
You actually want to focus on the front sight. The rear sight and the target will be out of focus and the front sight will be in focus. It's easier to keep the gun aligned that way.[b said:
Also, be sure which is your dominant eye before you start trying to shoot with both eyes open. The easiest way to do that is to leave both eyes open, hold up one finger or one of your thumbs and position it "over" some object across the room like a light switch. When your digit is "over" the object, close one eye and then the other while keeping your eyes and hand aligned. When one of your eyes is open, your digit will appear to move, uncovering the light switch without you having actually moved (an optical illusion). The eye that is open when your finger seems to move it not your master eye.
Don't assume that just because you're right-handed that your right eye is your master eye. A fair percentage of people are "cross-dominant," that is, their master eye is on the opposite side from their "handedness."
I have both barrel lengths, although I use the 5" the most. I have the same sight radius no matter which length I choose. I have the sights configured for the 3.5" length with a flat plug in the 5" length's muzzle weight.
This is my second P22. My first was a first generation without the upgrades and I got rid of it. I had too many problems. I bought my second P22 (second generation) about a year ago. My current one was a two tone 3.5" model, but I bought the 5" barrel for it. I also got the light laser unit for the little tactical rail it has.
Not jams and no problems so far. 1500+ rounds
This is my second P22. My first was a first generation without the upgrades and I got rid of it. I had too many problems. I bought my second P22 (second generation) about a year ago. My current one was a two tone 3.5" model, but I bought the 5" barrel for it. I also got the light laser unit for the little tactical rail it has.
Not jams and no problems so far. 1500+ rounds
Joined
·
1 Posts
I have the one with the short (3.4 barrell) I think they are much more attractive looking. I know it is shallow to chose a gun on looks, but hey I like what I like.
Joined
·
2 Posts
I just got the new 2 tone P22 for an early Father’s Day present. I love the look without the extension but the 5 inch barrel is supposed to be stainless steel. I have also heard that the longer barrel gives some back pressure and makes it easier to cycle the lower velocity ammo. If this is the case then I would say the 5 inch may be the better choice. It may be bigger if you you use it for CC but the gun is still pretty small. Looks aside I would worry about the extension coming loose or if you have the older model having the slide crack. They both seem to have their values. As to the accuracy I can’t say as I haven’t purchased my 5 inch kit yet or gotten a chance to shoot my new gun yet. Research is how I like to keep busy when I can’t shoot. I plan on making a full metallurgical break down of the P22 soon.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
