only your hits count
until shrapnel or the concussive shock from a miss by a handgun round counts, i prefer to shoot what i can reliably hit with. for me a ruger lcr 22lr works. in my hands it never fails to reliably put its 8 rounds into center mass at defense ranges. while i like the yellow jacket, the 22lr is not a combat round and there are indeed better defense rounds, if one can reliably hit with them. i figure that if i ever did find myself in a shootout then being able to carry more 22lr ammo would mean more suppressive fire so i can break contact. a ruger lcr 22lr and 200 rounds is in my car's get home bag. all that said, i do appreciate the other end of the caliber spectrum so my other commonly carried piece is a bond arms derringer loaded with handgun specific 410 buckshot, with the extended rubber grips. at close range i reliably hit center mass with 2x3 >30 caliber balls. now, if only ruger would come out with a lcr-x 22lr kit gun with 3" barrel and exposed hammer...