22 for self defense?

A .22 LR from a rifle is probably more powerful than a .380!
There have been people shot in the head with a .45, and it didn't penetrate the skull.
These anecdotal instances prove nothing.
The ONLY sure stop shot is a central nervous system shot. As long as this is achieved, caliber is unimportant.
 
I was going to say that too. A 22LR out of a rifle is gonna hurt like a dickens.

By the way, what the verdict on 22 Magnum? How well will they do?

I remember drooling over a Smith 22 Magnum revolver at a pawn shop. It was a beauty.
 
I personally wouldn't use a 22rf for defense but if it was all I had, I would reconsider. I can't help but wonder how many shootings that never happened because the BG looked at the big hole of a 45acp barrel and cut a trail. :eek:
 
Trust me-from the front end, a .22 looks every bit as big as a .45!

While the .22 magnum will work as well, or better, from a handgun-what it is really good at is providing horrendous muzzle blast. This makes people think it must be really powerful, and it is-from a rifle. Handgun? Not so much.
 
Ehhhh,
It's a rimfire which is made more for rifles. There's a reason why larger calibers are center fire... Reliability!

Don't use 22 if you are recoil sensitive. You can get a 38 with low recoil or 9mm with lighter loads to lessen the felt recoil.

I love that comment above me about the guns all look the same when you're looking at them from the front!
 
Bill that may be but I'll take any advantage I can get. If it possibly makes a BG turn tail and run vs me putting a 1/2" hole thru him, I'll stick with my 45.
 
Bill that may be but I'll take any advantage I can get.
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If someone is pointing a gun at me I'm not sure I'd notice the 0.1" difference in bore diameter between say a 9mm and a 45ACP. My mind would probably be occupied otherwise. Even a 22 LR pointed at me wouldn't make me shrug. To me the idea that I point a pistol at the bad guy and he just sprints away is a bit hopeful. You're attributing rational actions to people that have chosen to assault someone in what I'm assuming is an unprovoked situation. To me that's not a rational person. It's sort of the same logic how I never believe that racking a shotgun would make people scurry out of your home like rats from a ship. Now it might very well happen, but honestly my own effectiveness with a weapon is far more my concern than what it might look like from the other end.
 
I agree with that but we were talking about the difference in bore sizes between a 22 and a 45. I don't and won't depend on a BG scurrying off like a rat. I do depend on my ability to defend myself or others if need be. However IF the size of the bore changes his mind, I'll take that vs pushing the issue. I still think it COULD be a slight advantage.
 
Consider another caliber

To the OP:

Please consider another caliber for self-defense. Unless you have a medical thing that makes the recoil of heavier caliber impossible, upgrade USAP. It's kind of like the "5 or 6 shot revolver/multiple assaliants" argument in that more rounds will need to be pumped into the first, then second BG and so on. The hitting power of 380, 38, and 9mm caliber can be affected by denim jackets, heavy sweaters and flannels, leather coats, muscle tissue, etc, but are enough plenty enough to wound. The 22's ballistics DO work, but only with a direct hit to the head or neck aka ideal conditions. If you hit a BG with two 9mm in the shoulder, he or she will be worse off than two .22 LRs in the same place. Sure you can get shots off quick w/ the low recoil, but what if The Guy Who Broke Into Your Place Is On Meth is Armed with a Gun or Has a Sword.
For Gosh sake, i'm guessing you are not elderly or medically compromised. If your a healthy guy and have a job, keep the 22 as a range/fundamentals gun. A lousy $450 on gunbroker will get you a S&W 38 Spl 642 J-frame revolver, or a used S&W 9mm Sigma, or a Ruger LCP in .380 if youre recoil sensitive. Don't just stick with the 22 because "well, I already have it, so... and the ammo is cheap, ya know."
You're already competent enough to own and operate the 22. Use the logic that 380/38/9/40/357/45 are the better SD caliber and Make the investment.
 
A lousy $450 on gunbroker will get you a S&W 38 Spl 642 J-frame revolver, or a used S&W 9mm Sigma, or a Ruger LCP in .380 if youre recoil sensitive.
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LCP is nice as a deep concealment pistol. However... I'd bet that beyond pepperspray-range, the guy with a bit of practice and a Buckmark tears the heart out of the guy with a bit of practice and an LCP, 8 times out of 10.

The equation would likely change if we're talking about a high-quality, good-handling 9mm with good trigger, sights, and grip. But the advantage you get in stepping up to centerfire cartridges is not terribly profound, and is likely overwhelmed by other factors (IMO, YMMV).
 
LCP is nice as a deep concealment pistol. However... I'd bet that beyond pepperspray-range, the guy with a bit of practice and a Buckmark tears the heart out of the guy with a bit of practice and an LCP, 8 times out of 10.
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I think you underestimate the ability of an experienced shooter with a "bit" of practice to shoot accurately well beyond "pepperspray-range" with an LCP. With the far superior 380 and quality ammo, I would take your bet.

The idea that someone will be deadly accurate with a .22, and ineffective with a subcompact 380 is only valid if there are physical limitations or unfamiliarity with the pistol in my experience. Using a .22 handgun for self-defense is with rare exception, a bad idea in my opinion.
 
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