It's a heck of a lot cheaper to cycle rounds through the .22 than the .45. I was an okay pistol shooter until I got a Ruger .22 MkIII and put the time into to work out the kinks in my technique. Now I can shoot anything pretty damn well. $250 for the .22 was a great investment and saved me a ton on 9-mm/.40/.45 during my "learning phase. Plus the little .22 is now my daughters favorite.