.22 Mag Reliable?

Carmady said:
From what I've read the .22LR would be better than the .22 Mag in a gun with a short barrel.
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See post #17.

Two companies have now introduced .22WMR ammo that's optimized for handguns. Hornady is one, and I can't recall the other. They've been written up in several gun magazines. I'm sure if you do an Internet search you'll get lots of hits.
 
It's always amazing to me how fast a thread can go sideways when egos kick in. And don't bother telling me this has all been friendly discussion--I've heard that one before.
 
I have a S&W model 651 w 4" barrel chambered for the 22 magnum....it is my least used handgun and probably wouldn't miss it much if I sold it other than the fact it is not made anymore and might climb in value ! I much prefer plinking or target practice with 22 LR or 38 special revolvers and would choose the 38 special over it for self defense purposes anyway ! I'm not a big fan of j frames because they just seem wimpy but the revolver has never misfired a round so far ! As mentioned the 327 magnum would be another choice and I wish they made a seven or eight shot K frame w 4" barrel version ! :)
 
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From a thread on this forum titled ".22LR Revolver", post #52.
These tests were made with a LCR-22LR.

"My LCR 22

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Traded for a LCR 22 and checked it at the range with my wife. She has weak hands, can't rack a slide and can't cock the hammer on centerfire SA/DA revolvers. Trigger pull at the dealer was about the same as for a SP101 and much better than a Taurus 94. Better price too and no hammer for her to cock.
At the range we shot over 50rounds of a variety of ammo with no malfunction of anykind. The little revolver shot to POA for me. Wife got a little used to the trigger after 3 reloads and began putting shots on the paper plate at about 4 yds. The trigger pull is more than for a .38revolver and she tended to pull shots right and up just off the paper plate. But the trigger is unusual in that it can be 'staged', pull to about half way then hold aim and fire. Don't know if I described it correctly, but a nice idea.

I then did some Chrony tests to compare with what Jeff Quinn reported....

http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-LCR22.htm

Average results...
Win Dynapoint...860fps.....JQ...866.
CCI MiniMag.......1000fps...JQ...928
Fed BulkPac.......980fps......JQ...831
Velocitor............980fps......JQ...885
Stinger..............1300fps.....JQ...NA..."

I resurrected this thread to no avail on account of the velocities of the Mini-Mag and Velocitor. Both test shown above (with the LCR) show the Mini-Mag with a higher fps than the Velocitor. Ruger's site shows the Velocitor being faster, probably with a rifle barrel. It's something to think about, or disregard...I thought it was interesting.

Hornady's special .22WMR goes 1000fps from a 1 7/8" barrel (from a few posts up)

The results I just copy/pasted show the .22LR Mini-Mag at 1000 and 928fps.

Another test with a 2" barrel:
Speer 40 grain GDHP-SB: Average velocity = 970 fps
Note: the highlighted SB stands for "short barrel."

Recap:
Hornady special .22WMR, 1 7/8" barrel, 1000fps
Speer special short barrel .22WMR, 2" barrel, 970fps
CCI .22LR Mini-Mag, 1 7/8" barrel, 1000fps and 928fps (two tests)

Draw your own conclusions, but it'll take a lot more than this (on paper) to convince me that the .22WMR will substantially out-perform the .22LR Mini-Mag from a short barrel.

After factoring in the ammo cost, probable reduced practice, and two less rounds, I just can't see any advantage that the LCR-22WMR has over the LCR-22LR.

That's just my opinion.
 
I remember that thread. That is interesting. Somebody might want you to re-calibrate your chrony now. :D That's about the way this thread has gone. I would have expected the Velocitors to be faster.

You mentioned your wife and a while back at the range a couple spots over from me a young boy (probably 8 or so) was shooting his Dad's Taurus 94 revolver (father-son thing). I had my Ruger SR-22P with me and offered to let him shoot it to get the feel of another 22. The amazing part was that he could not pull the trigger the entire travel on the first shot. I would have never believed it if I hadn't seen it. After the first shot, he obviously had no more difficulties of course.

Have a good one! Hope AJ responds to his own thread.
 
The .22lr might have been just about as fast through the same barrel, but the .22 Magnum can shoot heavier bullets at the same velocity and it has a real jacket for controled expantion.
 
If I owned a Ruger LCR I would want one in .38 special far more than I would want it in .22 magnum.

I shoot a lot of .17 HMR, which is pretty much the same brass as the .22 magnum and have never had one fail to go off. So I can't really say anything bad about the reliability of .22 magnum.

But to me the LCR is a concealed carry, defensive revolver. The only reason to get a .22 magnum is that you can not handle the recoil of .38 special in a sub nose platform. If you just want a cheap practice option for your .38 special LCR, the .22 LR would be my choice.

I would not want to trust a snub nosed .22 magnum with my life. These little revolvers are designed to hit a target, but accuracy is a sacrifice that is made to have such a small revolver. You don't hit your threat through the brain or heart and they are going to still be standing and attacking for a while.
 
Away from the cartridge wars, and back to the OP!
I'm farily new to the shooting world and I'm looking at purchasing a .22 mag Ruger LCR Revolver and wanted to know if .22 mag comes in a centerfire cartridge? I hear that centerfire are more reliable than rimfire, is this true?
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Rimfire, and centerfire are two completely different cartridge types. Generally not compatable in the same firearm. So to answer your question, no, there is no centerfire 22 Magnum cartridge that would work in a rimfire Ruger LCR.
A bit more research, and education may be well advised before you purchase a firearm. :D
 
One has to decide if 200fps is worth the added ammunition cost and muzzle blast you get with a short barreled 22 Mag revolver. For personal defense, probably. For general shooting... probably not.
 
Thank you.

Thank you, all, for your input. I'm just now responding because I've been taking the time to read through your posts carefully. It looks like there are many varying oppions on both sides of the .22 argument of power verses accuracy - as well as many other arguments in between.

One of my main concerns when considering the .22 is afordability. I am looking for something I can afford to train with at least once a week at the range in order to feel confident with my firearm. I'm afriad I couldn't afford something like a 38 special even tho it may deliver more power. That being said, why buy a .45 that I could never afford to practice with and end up ill-equipped when troubler arrises?

I know, too, that there are conversion kits out there that convert your .45 to a .22 for practicing purposes but at that point is it really an effective form of practice when you are not dealing with the appropriate re-coil?

Thank you again for all your input.
AJ
 
There are skills that will absolutely transfer over from rimfire to full size. The manual of arms (the size, weight, feel, sight picture, location of controls, slide manipulation, etc etc etc) is always going to be different with different guns.

The short answer is -LOTS- and lots of .22cal rimfire shooting will make you a much better shooter and it will make you a more confident gun handler, no matter how different it may be from the handgun you choose to employ defensively.

Obviously, however, it is NOT the same practice as using your primary defense guns with ammunition that will offer a similar recoil pulse.

You'll have to find your own way, within your budget. I'm pretty sure nobody -EVER- told you that this is a low-cost adventure! :D
 
Still don't understand why you are looking at a LCR in 22 Mag or was it simply what the gun shop had in stock?

You didn't say anything about personal protection. My suggestion is that you get yourself a 22LR revolver or semi-auto pistol (not 22 Mag) and start shooting paying attention to safety issues and so forth.

As was said, you can learn a great deal shooting 22LR and it is cheap. Shooting 22 Mags is not cheap to me. Fun, but not inexpensive.

Until you are comfortable with shooting and develop some confidence, I would use the 22LR for home protection. It is not the best choice. But it is a place to begin and it certainly beats a pointy stick! I used a 22LR revolver for years for home protection because I was proficient shooting it.

Many here say... 380, 9mm, 38spl etc for personal defense.... BUT I think many would be amazed at how many actually carry a 22 LR for personal defense even though they could carry something in a larger caliber. For most... needing a gun for defensive purposes simply doesn't happen very often. Many would say... you should still have a larger caliber than 22LR, and they are right. But again, there are a lot of 22 revolvers like the LCR used for personal defense. That's reality.

Take a look at the LCR in 22LR. Deal with recoil differences later as you will probably be buying a larger caliber handgun for protection later, but for now, shoot and learn. Everyone who has firearms should have gun in 22LR. The point is it is not "wasted money" and will provide a lifetime of shooting fun.

There are quite a few people who practice with the LCR in 22LR and carry a LCR in 38spl. [Yes, I know it is available in 357 mag and you can shoot 38 spls in that version too.] It is not that hard to hit a paper plate sized target area at defensive distances (like up to 20 feet or across the room kind of distances). But you still have to practice and develop some confidence.
 
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I think any of the LCR models is a good choice for carry, especially for a fairly new shooter. The 22 and 22 Magnum models do offer useful advantages such as more capacity, lower recoil, and cheaper ammo. They can also be useful for pest control or plinking in a pinch. And like all the LCRs they are simple, rugged, and priced right. Of course the .38 Special and .357 Magnum models are well-established as viable carry weapons, too. But the .22 versions are no slouches - I just wish the 22 Magnum had 7 or 8 rounds instead of just 6.
 
"22lr is not better than 22wmr from a short barrel.http://thefiringline.com/forums/show...handgun+chrono"

That's good info. Same guy, same day, same chronoghraph...much closer to a controlled setting than what I posted (four different tests, four guys, four different days, four different chronographs).

If you do that again it would be interesting to see what results you get with 40gr Mini-Mags and Velocitors from a 2" barrel.
 
Reply

I do plan on using the LCR for self defense purposes. All the information you have provided is of huge interest to me and greatly beneficial. I think the plan from here is to start out with the .22 LR (seeing that .22 mag is more expensive for not that much more power), allowing me to practice often and feel confident with the firearm. I read somewhere along this thread that they make .22 mini-mags, this might be atleast a small step up in power when I actually load to carry. Thanks again.

AJ
 
AJ said:
I'm farily new to the shooting world and I'm looking at purchasing a .22 mag Ruger LCR Revolver and wanted to know if .22 mag comes in a centerfire cartridge? I hear that centerfire are more reliable than rimfire, is this true?
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This thread has some interesting analogies & choice words, but what the heck I'll throw 2 cents in!

If you are considering getting a CHL, check the laws first when you go to qualify. Here in Texas, you are not allowed to use a rimfire for qualification. I guess you can carry whatever you like after you have the license.

I have a .22 WMR that I like very much & enjoy shooting. As others have said, extremely reliable - never had any brand of ammo misfire.

I'm a reloading snob, so I always prefer something I can stuff & control myself. I'd probably reload .22LR's if I could get the primed brass! LOL

As to the cartridge itself, the .22 WMR has had a problem finding its niche. The guns are little more expensive to buy & feed than .22LR so not as ideal for just plinking. On the other side, shooting 100yds is no problem, but it's not ideal for critters bigger than 20 lbs and it is superior in down range energy than some of the new .17 RF's.

For self defense, most say nay, but it is VERY-LOUD and if, heaven forbid, you had to shoot at someone, they would highly deterred, to say the least.

Please JIMHO...

...bug :)
 
The NAA mini revolvers are a different animal from a more traditional 22 revolver. They are a lot smaller which lends to easy concealed carry, but you have to be able to half way hit what you are aiming at. You are responsible for where those bullets go. Those mini revolvers are what people call "belly guns" for the most part.

I know you can read reviews of people hitting their target at distances like 20 yds, but for the average person, that is a stretch. [I know someone will chime in here and say they can shoot the eye out of a squirrel at 100 yds with a NAA Mini-Revolver, so this is strictily my opinion.] You would have trouble hitting with regularity a standard paper plate with the LCR-22 at 20 yds and it is much easier to shoot. The gun can do it, but with no exposed hammer, you are forced to shoot double action only which causes many to have much reduced shot placement/accuracy. It takes a lot of practice to improve. But it is fun practice!

I think most that buy the mini-revolvers and derringers are folks that are already experienced shooters and are getting something that fits a very specific niche/need. But shooting targets at the range is not one of the NAA mini revolver strengths.

Carrying a gun for personal protection is inconvenient outside the home (city carry). You have to plan around the gun. The NAA mini-revolver does help in that department with easy pocket carry. But you still have a pocket that is pretty much "used up" with any gun carried in your pocket. I carry a S&W 442 personally, but sometimes carry the LCR-22.
 
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