Dear Mr. K:,

You wrote:

 I really have to question your stating that the usage of “try and” is wrong. I recommend more research into it. Sure, “try to” is correct and seems to makes more sense, but “try and” is actually probably older.

“Try and” is a common colloquialism, and nearly everyone understand what it means. It does suggest something different from “try to,” however. “Try to” suggests encouragement while “try and” suggests the listener has not tried or taken the task seriously.

In most cases, “try to” is more precise. In any formal or standard writing situation, “try and” should probably be avoided.