Hey guys, finally punched the buy button on the CMMG and AA Glock .22lr conversion kits. Primary reason for the purchase is to work trigger skills at a higher volume without breaking the bank as I already shoot 1000-1500 rounds a month. I know that a .22 kit does not do much for grip/stance consistency and that follow through is a joke but it has it’s place imho. And of course, anything done on the .22 does need to be reinforced with the full caliber (my opinion).
My secondary purpose is to use with my girlfriend and her friends, some of whom may not be ready to start with a 9mm. I don’t believe in the everyone should start on a .22 bs but for a few folks, it helps. This got me thinking about what training equipment I have on hand, how well it is suited for training/instruction (not formal for a while), and what else I should consider having. Not taking about timers, eyes, ears, cleaning equipment, etc…
I have a training carbine and pistol, both with all the essentials. I have a sim glock 17 and sim ar conversion bolt which is useful when I can’t get out to the range, when teaching higher risk manipulations for the first time (such as one hand malfunction clearance), or with a new shooter until safe handling is demonstrated. I now have the glock and ar .22 conversions so I can maintain the same trigger, practice cheaply, and have the ability to teach in a stair stepped approach on the same platform if the student needs that. I have few red/blue guns that are great for teaching fundamentals and practicing combatives. I have snap caps for my training calibers.
I have used airsoft in the past (sig p229 airsoft only for training) and I’ve been considering a glock and ar airsoft kit. Cheaper by far than live ammo and sim ammo. In the past I have found airsoft to be an excellent platform on which to practice high volume retention shooting techniques and other techniques that may not be acceptable at the range (for example shooting on the move).
With technology today, we have so many training options available that help break free of the square range limitations. What do you guys consider useful to have? Any recommendations for items not on my list or more uses for items I own? Any suggestions are highly appreciated.