Good .22LR pocket pistol for Mom

5 Shot NAA 0.22 Mag in SD = works well

Hi All,

Please do not see this post as advocating the 5 shot NAA in comparison with bigger firearms in heavier calibers. But I do want to bring a good example when this particular gun save the day for an acqaintance of mine.

Just to recount one verified incident.
about 8 years ago a local shooting instructor/proffesional hunter/gun shop owner (Mr Joao Da Silva) was accosted in his driveway by 5 armed thugs.

He had left his 1911 at home (10 meters away) and only had his 5 shot NAA with him. his ability, decisiveness and the NAA in his hand accounted for one BG that died in hospital, 2 that were wounded and were caught later, two that ran fast enough, before he laid his muzzle in their direction.

As we all agree, any gun is better than none, the 0.22 Mag, especially in a revolver is considerably more powerful than the 0.22 LR, and the NAA little revolver has a lot going for it. the main advantage is that being so small, you are likely to always have it on you.

Brgds,

Danny
 
S&W makes a cool 8 shot revolver snub that weighs only 10.8oz. called the model 317.

I think that would be the best choice for a 22lr "Pocket" gun

I'd suggest a Beretta 21a Bobcat 22lr, but my newer one likes to jam about 1 round every 2 mags, but it is starting to get better with about 5-600 rounds through it. I think if you could get a reliable one, that would make a very good pocket gun.

I'm going to try to fix my Bobcat if it doesn't break in, or call Beretta.
 
I would definitely recommend a revolver.


I'm sorry, but there is no acceptable .22 Lr pocket piece for your Mom. I know, I have tried for me, both as a police officer and as a civilian, and a .22 LR or .22 Magnum just doesn't get it.
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The OP clearly stated he didn't want to discuss calibre. But since the Doc did. A .22 mag might actually be more powerful than a .38
 
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Definitely go with a revolver, but probably not the NAA mini. I've had three .22 LR semi-autos, from manufacturers of varying reputation (but never any pot-metal junk like Jennings), and none were nearly reliable enough for defensive use. One would jam probably 3 times per every mag. Another would FTF or FTE once every other mag, and the 3rd would FTE or FTE maybe once or twice per box of 50 rounds, but would occasionally get through a whole box without a malfunction. And of course, they all worked better with some kinds of ammo than others. Maybe I've just had some bad luck.

A decent revolver, on the other hand, is much more likely to be work when called upon and FTF's and FTE's won't become an issue regardless of what ammo you're able to get. The NAA mini however is so small, it's difficult to be accurate with, and not the most comfortable/natural to hold.

I think, it also lacks scariness/intimidation factor. While this isn't critical, a gun that extremely small (you'll hear many stories, where people, when seeing an NAA mini, weren't even sure if it's a real gun) may prove less capable of dissuading an attacker. Some here have recommended the S&W 317, that gun definitely is superior in that respect, and every other respect except conceal-ability. Don't get me wrong, one shouldn't count of the "scariness" of their gun to stop an attacker, and one should be prepared to shoot if one must, but I think having a bigger, badder -looking gun may decrease of the odds of actually having to fire.
 
A .22 sure beats not having a gun at all!
NAA does not make a .25 ACP.
The Taurus revolvers are a little large (the same size as the S&Ws) but the lightweight models may fit the bill.
 
NAA does not make a .25 ACP.
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I was going to prove you wrong, but I just looked it up and you are indeed correct. They make a .25 NAA (hence my confusion), another one of those pointless NAA neck-down chamberings that no one buys, likes, or uses.

In that case I switch my recommendation to a Beretta Bobcat (although still in .25ACP for considerably more reliable operation).
 
+1 on the 317, but .... if your mom's hands are strong enough for the MONSTER trigger pull on a 10 oz. gun, she probably could handle, with both ease and comfort, the recoil of a pocket .32 (keltec P32 at 6 oz., Beretta tomcat, NAA guardian, etc.)
 
.22

Yes, again, for the S&W 317 Airlite. Eight shots. Ultra reliable. Weighs only ten ounces.
The trigger pull - don't know how an older woman (or man) would find it. I've never thought it was objectionable but, then, it was what I expected.
Pete
 
thanks for everyone's suggestions.

I am going to have her rent a .32 next time we go to the range. I've never shot that caliber before but I hear the recoil is pretty soft, and its a step in the right direction.

She is very recoil shy. I had her shoot a full sized and heavy .380 of mine and she did not like it. I'm afraid if I get her somthing that size she won't ever practice. Hopefully that will change with time... Like i said, she has come a long long way.
 
I would suggest that some folks ease up on the chest pounding and insults. State your objection factually and don't insult other folks as you are also an unknown entity with little verified qualifications. PM sent in a minute.

About the real issue:

1. Read Pax's www.corneredcat.com about firearms issues for women.
2. I agree that the small 22 semis can be very unreliable. There are quite a few reports of the PT-22s not running. Mine never did. Also, the Beretta's can have that problem. Thus, one would want to extensively test a carry gun or load for Mom.
3. The 317 - had the LS version and the trigger was horrible. Don't buy unless Mom tries it and can be competent with it. Of course, can you find one to rent.
4. I might suggest a SW442 or 642 with very light target loads. Given the normal run of self-defense shootings, getting hit by one or two would probably stop the attack (even if the BG goes away). I know the OP wants a 22 but they have so many problems.
5. I had a Taurus 94 - cylinder seized - just don't trust 'em for the real deal.
 
Generally, pocket guns are difficult to shoot accurately.

Also, pocket semi-autos are difficult for a beginner to hold securely enough to be reliable - especially in more powerful cartridges.

A lightweight snub-nose revolver in a mild caliber would be my recommendation to try. There just aren't many options. (My wife's 2" Taurus 94 had to have the hammer spring replaced).

I like my NAA Mini-mag revolver with a spare .22lr cylinder - when I can't carry something larger I like the power and reliability (considering the limitations of a rimfire). However, it is difficult to shoot accurately and is only single action.

Ultimately, let her make the final decision.
 
Sorry I missed this thread when it began... I'm surprised that nobody has suggested an old H&R revolver. :confused: They were available in a wide variety of barrel lengths and configurations, are very reliable, are reasonably accurate, and cost only slightly more than dirt. ;)

The small-frame DA guns (primarily the swing-out-cylinder 929) are about the size of a S&W J frame or Taurus 94 but cost far less, and are IMHO higher in quality (albeit more crude-looking) than the Taurus. They're big enough to offer "real gun" feel and durability, and offer higher capacity, 8-9 rounds depending on model, than NAA-type mouseguns.
 
My three Ruger MK II's are 100% reliable even with Federal Bulk ammo. With CCI Minimags or Stingers a nice little Ruger and some practice is as fine a home defense gun as any .22LR can be.

As others have said, if you reload and are willing to push her a little bit on caliber. A light .38 Special out a a 4 inch revolver is a good place to start. I reload light .38's with 125 grain bullets and out of my Colt Diamondback 4 inch they feel almost like .22's.

FWIW I sometimes carry a Beretta 21A .22LR if I can't carry anything else. Its also been 100% with CCI Minimags and Stingers.
 
I have a Beretta 21a in .22lr. Its a nice little gun that is fairly accurate, but I wouldn't call mine reliable. I love the flip up barrel feature, which makes raking the slide unecessary.

However, my gun will sporadically fail to feed in such a way that the entire slide will pop off the rail and flip the barrel up. To me this would be a catistrophic failure as it takes too long to reset the gun. Others have had much more success than I have.

Maybe its time to contact Beretta on it. It does seem to work better with CCI Stingers than anything else, but still gives me the occassional failure.

If it was 100% reliable, then I would think it would be an excellent pocket gun.
 
The NAA mini needs some kind of pocket holster. It can get cocked in your pocket, and there isn't a trigger guard.

I know this because I fished one out of a pocket once, and it was cocked. I know it didn't go in that way.
 
S&W makes a cool 8 shot revolver snub that weighs only 10.8oz. called the model 317.

I think that would be the best choice for a 22lr "Pocket" gun
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+1

If you can find an sp101 in 22lr, it will have substantially less recoil then the 317.

If she is going to rely on a 22lr for self defense, I think you pretty much have to stay with a revolver for the reliability factor. One dud and an autoloader is out of the game.
 
I would go with a revolver as well. The S&W 317 is real nice , but a tad expensive (+$550). I think the 3" barrel model would make a nice Home defense/ occassional carry gun. The 317 with the 2" barrel weigh less 11oz than is just a little less than a Beretta Bobcat.

Taurus and Charter Arms makes a .22 snubnose too but the are a few ounces heavier. They are both about the same price about $350, but I like Taurus's quality more.

NAA minirevlver is the ultimate in concealed carry but they are hard to shoot well. Like someone else mentioned the NAA is a little creepy since its a Single Action with no transfer bar and just "safety notches". Charter Arms makes the Dixie Derringer which is almost the same thing, but with a hammer block safety. http://www.gunblast.com/Dixie-Derringer.htm Its a better design, but still not as nice in quality as an NAA.

The only pistols I can recommend are the Beretta Bobcat and the Ruger 22/45. The Bobcat is a pocket pistol with no extractor so it will not be 100% like a revolver. The Ruger is a target gun and will be a tad heavy and big.

Another option I might suggest is a Kel Tec P32. Its a small .32acp tilt barrel pocket gun that is not as harsh to shoot as a .380 pocket gun or a blowback .32 like the Tomcat. It has just a little more ommph than a .22.
 
I would recommend a used S&W J-frame with a 2" barrel. I found a nice model 34 on one of the auction sites and now everyone in the family likes it. The trigger on it is very nice and as a bonus, it doesn't have the lock on it. Plus, it's cheaper than a new one.
 
I am going to have her rent a .32
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a S&W 332 is a 32 H&R magnum but out of production. also chambers 32 S&W and 32 ACP

the 327 Federal is new to the market and can be loaded with 32 H&R and 32 S&W Longs [very mild and a bit more power than a 22 LR] and 32 ACP [ it is semi-rimed and chambers fine in a revolver]

she might like a 32 Police Positive. it chambers the 32 Long [and the 32 ACP] and it may tickle her fancy as it is likely older than she is:D
 
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