Why Does the Military Use .22 Rimfire Rifles for Training?
Military training often begins with .22 rimfire rifles to teach fundamental marksmanship skills without the distraction of heavy recoil. This approach, historically used by major powers, allows recruits to master sight alignment, sight picture, trigger control, and follow-through. Once these core skills are ingrained, transitioning to full-power service rifles primarily involves learning recoil management, leading to faster development of proficient shooters and preventing bad habits like flinching.









