Monday, January 09, 2012

"When I grow up, I'm going to be a 1911!"

So sayeth my newest acquisition, an Iver Johnson TP-22 in .22lr.

A 7-shot DA/SA .22 that's small enough to fit in your pocket behind your wallet, it's a handy back-up pistol or primary carry piece for those situations in which you cannot carry a larger pistol.

Size-wise, it's about the same as a Ruger LCP. The ergonomics are similar to that of the Walther PPK. I've been known to carry each of those as well, so this is a nice addition to the armory. Actually it's a "re-addition" as I had one once about ten years ago and sold it when I needed money. I'd always regretted that because it was totally reliable with high-powered ammunition (CCI Mini-Mag or comparable rounds) and it was pretty shootable and accurate at surprising distances. I carried it on many backbacking trips because the weight penalty was easily justified by the fun factor.

Here it is again, shown with it's role model and my preferred carry piece for reference:Cute little sucker, ain't it? It gets test-fired tomorrow.

17 comments:

  1. If they could make a 45 ACP that size it would be perfect. Recoil may be a little sharp however.

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  2. It is cute. Does it come lefty? I am having such a hard time finding any other fully left gun besides my HK.

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  3. Lila,

    I shoot left-handed. The only control on here that you'd have to deal with is the safety/decocker on the left side of the slide, and since it's double-action, you can carry hammer down on a loaded chamber so it's a decent leftie choice.

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  4. Hmmmm...... I may have to research more. I love my HK but do want to add to my personal handguns to have more selection for carry and for the fun of it. It is great to add to the family collection but rarely does it have ease of use for my left shooting needs.

    Let me know about ease of use would you? I need lefty but also easy to handle because of my FMS. I can have muscle weakness in my hands so I need to be amble to handle the slide easily and such. Revolvers are usually out for me simply because they hurt too much since the recoil is felt in the hands rather than the arms.

    You rock!!

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  5. Lila, I will let Proud Hillbilly shoot it tomorrow. If she can handle the slide and DA trigger pull, you should have no problems with it.
    Revolver-wise, have you tried larger, softer Pachmayr or Hogue grips?

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  6. After the couple I have shot hurt so much I just gave up. I focused on finding semi-auto's with lefty use and easy to pull and shoot. I am sure I could probably find a revolver to work but no idea where to look or test fire. My guy and his brother are the only people I have shot with so I haven't been exposed to other guns much.

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  7. Nice little Pistol!

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  8. I never knew Iver Johnson produced a little semi-auto.

    Ya learn something new everyday.

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  9. I like it and wouldn't mind having one myself.

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  10. Sport Pilot: Search for them on Gun Broker. They turn up fairly often, typically for well under $200. That's where I got this one.

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  11. I have a S&W 4422 with 3 or so inch barrel I use as a fishing gun (no I don't shoot the fish, but I sure do shoot the snakes.)

    The TP-22, as long as it's reliable, will do. I'd prefer a TPC/LCP/P3AT/P32 for CCW, but if you are a dead shot with that little gun it would do.

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  12. Nice little pistol, and as always it's ALL about shot placement...

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  13. IIRC, Iver Johnson was the in-house brand name for most Sears guns, wasn't it?

    For Lila, the issue about slide manipulation usually relates to whether it is a straight blowback action which tends to be considerably stiffer. A .22 typically is pretty easy to handle.

    At $200 used, I'm not sure it is a bargain if considered for concealed carry use. (I know, at this point we get into "any caliber is better than the one you left home", but .22LR isn't a good choice either.)

    I've been pocket stuffing a Kel-Tec 9mm when a 1911 doesn't fit anywhere. It came new for about $200 and is virtually identical (except maybe for a bit of fit/finish finesse) to a Kahr.

    Regardless, old and fun guns of any size are a great place to play!

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  14. Anonymous1:24 AM

    The looks of the Iver Johnson is quite similar to my Bulgarian Makarov 9x18mm that I carry regularly. And my other carry is also a 1911, a Kimber Custom II in stainless. What a dream to shoot! As for a .22? A Ruger Single-Six Convertible that I bought thirty years ago! Have fun with yours!

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  15. May I ask how heavy it is? Thank you!

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  16. May I ask how heavy it is? Thank you!

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  17. Just a few ounces, maybe 6 to 8.

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