Recoil-Reducing Rimfire Pistols
Rimfire replicas of some of the most popular full-size handguns are a great way to save money and a bit of pain while training for self-defense.
By
Adam Heggenstaller (RSS)
April 26, 2012
Rimfire replicas produce but a fraction of the recoil dished out by their centerfire inspirations, which is a wonderful benefit for repetitive training exercises or for introducing new shooters to handguns.
|
Pistol |
Caliber |
Load |
Muzzle Velocity |
Recoil Velocity |
Free-Recoil Energy |
 Colt Rail Gun |
.45 ACP | Hornady 230-grain FMJ | 839 | 13.67 | 6.62 |
 Umarex USA Colt Rail Gun |
.22 LR | Federal Game-Shok 40-grain CPS | 999 | 2.92 | .30 |
 Smith & Wesson M&P9 |
9 mm | Winchester USA 115-grain FMJ | 1,123 | 14.39 | 4.83 |
 Smith & Wesson M&P22 |
.22 LR | Federal Game-Shok 40-grain CPS | 977 | 4.29 | .43 |
 Ruger SR40 |
.40 S&W | Remington Express 155-grain JHP | 1,125 | 17.17 | 7.79 |
 Ruger SR22 |
.22 LR | Federal Game-Shok 40-grain CPS | 948 | 5.76 | .56 |
Muzzle and recoil velocity measured in fps. Free-recoil energy measured in foot-pounds.
Tags: .22 LR, Colt, recoil, rimfire, ruger, Smith & Wesson, Umarex
Love this.same feel but cheaper and just as fun
Mobile Comment
Cool handgun! Not too expensive and a very good choice for a new user.:) like.!
have sig sauer 1911-22 love it – lots of fun – very accurate at distance new shooter really learning the basics with this gun and lots of practice
Have owned a 22 converter for my colt 1911 for over 30 years. Even added a laser site 2 years ago. Have always enjoyed firing it. I always go back to the .45, but I highly recommend saving money wit the 22
Taking these fine guns to a Ruger Rimfire Challenge is a blast! It’s a great way to train the beginning shooters for centerfire action and cowboy action competitions!
I would also classify the .22 rimfire autopistol as a useful defensive pistol. Obviously a .22 isn’t the ideal defensive caliber, but in the right hands placed in the right spot it can be quite effective, not to mention getting meat for the pot or lots of good times putting rounds downrange. I have a lot of respect for the .22 rimfire beyond it’s ‘purpose as a training cartridge.’