Alternative Calibers For Police Rifle Training

For most users, the AR-15 pattern rifle in 5.56mm is the “go-to” answer for those needing a patrol rifle.  However, there are times, particularly for training, when AR pattern rifles in alternate calibers warrant consideration. 

While the use of ARs in 9x19mm (aka Pistol Caliber Carbines or PCC) has been a practice for decades at some training institutions (such as Thunder Ranch or the Rogers Shooting School), we have reached a point where they are more viable than ever with the rise of PCC categories in the action shooting sports.  Besides the 9x19mm cartridge, there are some great training surrogates in .22 LR.  The main reasons for avoiding ARs in 5.56 are concerns about range infrastructure, steel target wear and standoff, and ammunition costs.

Range Infrastructure Considerations

Not all backstops are rated for full-power rifle ammunition.  An AR in 9mm or .22 LR allows practice to occur on practically any indoor range.  Additionally, some ranges have their own rules which limit the use of full-power rifles on shorter bays.  A PCC or .22 LR allows for practice at distances most likely to occur.  Regardless of whether the range is ballistically rated for 5.56 ammunition, the use of non-5.56 ARs will dramatically reduce wear and tear on range infrastructure.

Steel Target Considerations

Steel targets allow for unique range exercises that can teach lessons conventional cardboard or paper targets simply do not.  However, steel targets are very susceptible to damage when shot by conventional 5.56mm cartridges.  To avoid damage, conventional steel targets should be placed at longer distances, like 50 or 100 yards.  This quickly becomes impossible if the depth of the range doesn’t facilitate this, which makes it impossible to practice closer-range rifle engagements on steel targets.

Ammunition Costs

Besides the savings from range infrastructure concerns, the actual cost per round can be substantially lower when using an alternative caliber.  Roughly speaking, the rounds cost of a 9x19mm round is less than half of the cost of 5.56mm.  The cost difference between 5.56 and .22LR is even greater, with .22LR typically being less than 20% of the cost of a round of 5.56 mm.

Another ammunition cost consideration is the required or recommended use of frangible ammunition.  To mitigate the damage considerations mentioned above, some ranges require the use of frangible ammunition when firing 5.56mm.  While frangible ammunition does reduce wear and tear on range backstops and steel targets, its cost is substantially higher than normal 5.56 ammunition.  Frangible ammunition easily costs two or three times more than conventional FMJ ammunition.  When frangible 5.56 is required, the cost savings quickly accumulate if an alternate caliber is used.

The differences in ammunition cost may seem small if one is only shooting a few rounds a year.  However, if thousands of rounds a year are being expended, like in a police training environment, the savings can be quite significant.  Before this author retired, he had a “fleet” of AR trainers in .22 LR.  These were purchased after an analysis found that the ammunition cost savings from two training sessions paid for the cost of the rifles.

Which One? 9mm or .22?

Whether 9mm or .22 LR is better depends on a variety of factors.  For instance, if the desire is to knock over steel targets, 9mm can do so reliably while .22 LR may struggle to do it consistently.  Another factor that weighs in the favor of 9mm is the perception of recoil.  An AR in .22 LR will not have much training value when firing multiple rounds from the same position.  An AR in 9mm will have felt recoil equal to or greater than a 5.56 rifle.

Another bureaucratic consideration with 9mm ARs is they do not require the purchase of a new serialized lower receiver.  It is very easy to convert an existing 5.56 rifle to 9mm with a replacement upper receiver and proper buffer.  Since upper receivers are not serialized parts, the training unit is simply buying gun parts instead of acquiring new firearms while gaining all the potential training benefits.

ARs in .22 LR really shine for practicing pure marksmanship skills.  Using scaled targets such as those from the Appleseed Project allows a student to simulate shooting at much longer distances on ranges with only 25 yards of depth.  While the actual use of an AR at 400 yards is not a reasonable expectation, the confidence gained by such mastery of the fundamentals of marksmanship will carry over to precision shots at closer distances.

One way to deal with the lack of recoil from an AR in .22 is to change the shooter’s position after every shot.  For instance, a five-shot string can start with a single round from standing, a transition to kneeling with a single round, a transition to prone with a single round, and then return to kneeling, firing, and then standing and firing.  Not only does this fix the perception of recoil, but it also encourages the rapid transition between commonly used field positions.  If this is too simple, skills such as swapping shoulders and forced reloads can be used to make sure more than one round isn’t being fired from the same position.

Summary

While there is no substitute for regular training with “real” 5.56 rifles and ammunition, the use of AR pattern rifles in other calibers can serve an important role in effective training.  By allowing additional rounds to be fired at dramatically reduced costs and the engagement of steel targets at close range, there is a huge potential benefit.  Whether they are in 9×19 or .22 LR, ARs in less powerful calibers can reduce wear and tear on range infrastructure and steel targets and enhance any patrol rifle program.