My first gun -- .22 lr snubby? Advice?

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Stockhausen

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Hello The Firing Line!!

After lurking around here for a little while, I'm finally making my first post! I'm considering buying my first handgun, and I'm leaning towards the reliability of revolvers. I've never owned a gun, and have only been to the range a handful of times. I had a lot of fun going, and am thinking about carrying one day. Keeping in mind that I don't have enough $$$ to buy one gun for practice and one for carrying, here are the things I'm thinking about before I begin renting and trying to find "the one":

1) I'm looking for a .22 lr so I can practice as much as I want

2) I'd like to try a CCW class, then try carrying what I have for awhile before making the commitment to buy a second, more powerful gun (with more expensive ammo). In other words, I would like my first gun to be small enough to carry (a .22 lr is better than nothing, right?). Bonus points for DAO, I like those.

It looks like the Ruger .22 LCR fits the description perfectly! I want to try it soon. Unfortunately, it's way more expensive than other revolvers I've been looking at. Budget restrictions might cause me to settle on a Charter Arms Pathfinder or Taurus 94, even though I'm unsure about carrying the exposed hammer.

Any suggestions for revolvers to try are welcome! Since I'm such a noob, you might even change my mind about what I really want. :)
 
i have a taurus 94 and a 941..both are great guns with no problems,but some people say they have had problems with them.....the lcr.22 looks really good as well but i have not seen one in person yet....
 
The only issue I see with the exposed hammer would be it snagging when you draw from concealment. You might consider the new Ruger SP101 in .22lr also, it's 4" barrel but unless you're very small you should have no trouble concealing the 4" barrel. The longer barrel will also make it easier to shoot well. This revolver would also give you the benefit of being able to buy a larger caliber revolver on the same frame later on if you decide you like it. The SP101's are available in .22lr, .327 Federal Mag, .38 Special, and .357 Mag.

Stu
 
I think that you should consider buying a good solid used gun of a better make rather than buy new junk. I think that you should consider buying the full size version because you will have it as a range gun primarily, to teach yourself to shoot. The larger full size versions of any pistol is easier to shoot than the compact version.

May be just me, but I'd rather have a full size gun that I can easily hit with, even if it doesn't conceal as well, rather than a snubnose/compact gun that conceals better, but requires a professional dedication to stay on the side of a barn...:D
 
It would be a mistake to consider carrying any pistol or revolver chambered in .22LR as a concealed weapon.

You will read and hear stories about the deadliness of the .22LR. While any bullet can be deadly, the .22 is considerably underpowered, and they require real expertise in shot placement to be effective.

Consider buying a good used revolver or semiautomatic in either .38 Special, or 9mm. Ammunition for both these calibers is fairly inexpensive compared to larger calibers. There are lots of Smith & Wessons, Glocks, and other makes which will make good self-defense guns. .38 Specials with wadcutter bullets are great for practice, and you can use more powerful loads for carry.

.22's are great for plinking, and bagging small game, but are poor selections for concealed carry and self defense.
 
Thanks for the responses, guys.

The 4" barrel would still be too big to put in a cargo pocket or coat pocket, right? I know someone who does that with a small .380 semiauto instead of using a holster (sometimes front jeans pocket too), and I like that idea. But that's also a problem with the Taurus I was looking at--hammer snag!

And I know that .22 isn't very good for personal protection, but it's the only ammo I could afford to practice with regularly. So, I'm hoping to find a small gun that's easily concealable and uses cheap ammo for practice as a budgeted intro to self defence, but I'm worried I might be getting unrealistic here.
 
If the .22 is really what you want don't let others discourage you. It's better to have a .22 that you can practice alot and become proficient with than to buy a .38 or .357 and not be able to afford to shoot it. Sure there are better self defense options but the .22 can still get the job done regardless of what others say. When you are more proficient and have the cash you can move up to a larger caliber.

I think that you should consider buying the full size version because you will have it as a range gun primarily, to teach yourself to shoot. The larger full size versions of any pistol is easier to shoot than the compact version.

May be just me, but I'd rather have a full size gun that I can easily hit with, even if it doesn't conceal as well, rather than a snubnose/compact gun that conceals better, but requires a professional dedication to stay on the side of a barn...
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Follow this advice and I promise you will hate carrying the thing around. Toting around any full size firearm is a hassle, and certainly does not conceal as easily as a snub. If the intention of the gun is concealed carry, don't go full sized. Sure there are plenty of people who carry full sized firearms, but if they say they can do so just as easily as a compact or sub compact the only person they are fooling is themselves.
 
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Seems like a good idea. If your ultimate goal is concealed carry, you can shoot thousands of rounds in the LCR-22 while you learn marksmanship, take your CCW class, apply for a permit, etc.

Carrying an 8-shot .22 is not ideal for personal defense, but it's not horrible, either, with good ammo and an accurate shooter. But eventually you should get another LCR, this time in .38 Special, and this is the one you will carry for protection. At that point, the LCR-22 becomes a valuable practice gun and plinker that should last a lifetime.

I see no reason not to get the .22 first. A new shooter needs to SHOOT, and with a .22 you can shoot all day for $15.
 
My read on this is that you do not have a concealed carry permit. You are looking at a cheap to shoot practice gun to get in lots of trigger time with at the range. You do however want your 22 in a J Frame size handgun for practice with a concealable size handgun. You want a practice gun the same basic size and weight as the carry gun that you plan to get later on.

I think your first choice was the correct one. You should be able to find an LCR 22 for a little over $400.

I happen to have an LCR 22 as well as an LCR 357. The LCR 22 is a ball to shoot. The trigger is a little heavier than the 38 & 357 version, but still not bad at all. I did add Green Sight Bright sight paint to my front sight so that I can find it on the Defensive Pistol Range.

I shot my LCR 22 in BUG Division at our bi-monthly defensive pistol match. I took First Place in BUG Division with the LCR 22, reloading with Quick Strips.

To practice reloading the LCR 22 get the Tuff Products Model 1022 Quick Strips in Orange. Put your ammo in the Quick Strips in pairs skipping a shell between pairs for cylinder clearance. You can only get 7 rounds in the Quick Strip loaded in this manner, but that is ok for practice. A staged Quick Strip will look like this: OOXOOXOOXO. The reason to get the Quick Strips in Orange is so that you can find them on the ground after a practice reload.
I have been in contact with Tuff Products about making either an 11 shot model, which would hold 8 loaded in pairs, or a dedicated 8 round quick strip with a space between pairs.

The LCR 22 is a great practice and training tool. It is accurate and fun to shoot. Later on you can get the LCR 38 or LCR 357 magnum.

I would get a quality holster for it also, like a Lobo Enhanced Pancake with Optional Inner Hammer Shield. A very good investment of $70

I happen not to be a city dweller. I practice what I call Practical Concealed Carry. I carry all the time. When in the woods in the Summer I will have a couple shotshells up front for snakes. This time of year I might be carrying a 38 with semi wadcutter reloads, or a 22 when bumming around. I shoot several rounds each year through my concealed carry handguns making my rounds. We have copperheads, cottonmouths, and rattlers. We have armodillows, and snapping turtles headed for a new pond to clean out. I come up on a deer hit by a car now and again that needs finished off. If I am headed into town, I will probably swap out handguns, or ammo.
I carry all the time, and I am not worried about being mugged at all.
Lots of folks are armed just fine with a small light weight 22. Not all of us live in a jungle.

Bob
 
Sure there are plenty of people who carry full sized firearms, but if they say they can do so just as easily as a compact or sub compact the only person they are fooling is themselves.
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I never said that full sized pistols carry as easy as a snub, I said they shoot easier. That's the rub, it's all a compromise. Either you carry an easy toting but hard to shoot snubbie, or an easy to shoot boat anchor to haul around.

Yes, it's a pain in the butt to ccw a full size pistol, but if I knew I was going to get into a scrape with some perps (I'd bring a rifle) I would want a gun that was easy to shoot with large controls and sights.

Full sized pistols are not that much harder to carry effectively than the compact guns, and much easier to shoot well. Chances are good that I shoot my full sized pistol better than dragline45 does his compact. :D
 
Congrats on your first post Stockhausen!

You mentioned finances are somewhat limited. Before suggesting a course of action, you need to answer this question -- if you purchase that .22 Snubby, how long will it take you to to save up enough money for a larger caliber "carry gun"? Remember, you'll be forking out money for a holster, ammo and range fees (also perhaps shooting earmuffs and eye protection). Just ballpark the time frame to see how long that would take you. Figure approximately $400 for a new snubby .38.

Here's my thinking. If you buy a .22 revolver for learning to shoot and beginning CCW, you'll need a good holster. A good holster will be molded to the size/shape of your gun for security. Then comes the day you want to buy a .38 or .357 revolver. With tight finances, you'll be limited to those .38/.357 revolvers that fit the existing holster, unless you want to spend yet more money on a new holster.

Also, changing from say, a Ruger LCR to a S&W .38 Snubby will require you to spend more time at the range to get used to the new gun. Fortunately, you can still get some holsters that will fit both the Ruger SP-101 and S&W J-Frame .38/.357, though the fit will not be as snug.

As far as hammer snag is concerned, I would suggest learning to carry on the belt (OWB-on the waistband) or Inside the waistband (IWB) for a more secure carry method first. Use of a holster with a thumb break strap will help protect the hammer from snagging clothing. So will finding a gun with a "bobbed" (spur-less) hammer or concealed/shrouded hammer.

The .22LR as a defensive revolver
Let's face it. The .22LR is not a great manstopper. A 40 grain .22 bullet has to move at 1060 ft/sec just to generate 100 ft-lbs of energy. That's half the energy of a .38 Special or .380 which most folks consider the "bottom end" of the useful energy spectrum. Worse yet, limiting yourself to a 2-inch barrel which reduces velocities even more and that further lowers energy output. A 3-inch barrel would be better for the .22 if you can get one.

The 8-10 rounds of .22LR are certainly better than being armed with a sharp stick, however. The low recoil gives you the ability to plant 3-4 shots rapidly on target (with practice).

Exactly which revolver you should buy I'll leave up to you after you digest some of the above. Ask others about where to look for good deals. Find someone knowledgeable about used revolvers and ask them how to tell a good one from a lemon. A good, solid used wheelgun can save you significant money.
 
1) I'm looking for a .22 lr so I can practice as much as I want
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I've noticed a real trend here as of late regarding the .22lr.
It seems that the days of the "inexpensive" .22lr have come and gone.

There's simply too many people having too many problems with the bulk (cheap) .22lr ammo to ignore or dismiss as user error.

General consensus is that the only decent .22lr ammo anymore is CCI.
CCI runs between 5.7 and 7 cents per round
($5.79 per 100 @ Cheaper than Dirt - $7.42 per 100 # Sportsmans- Depot)

Compare that to the cost of reloading the .38 spl.
It's very possible that the .38 spl may actually be more economical than the .22lr.
 
The .22 lr is a good choice for a first gun...but learning to shoot with a snubbie may be an exercise in frustration.

I'd recommend a longer barrel for its longer sight radius which improves accuracy. While a 4" barreled revolver is not generally a CCW first choice, it is a good one for woods loafing, informal plinking and use as a snake deterent while fishing. For real CCW, you'll want something bigger...a .38 Special would be my minimum recommendation for that purpose...and while a .22 lr is better than nothing, it's not a stopping caliber unless you're an expert.

Both Ruger and S&W make high quality revolvers in .22 lr, snubbies, but also 4" barreled models. Used, they're not that much more expensive than some off brand cheapie. I buy and recommend American products, for the obvious job implications, but also for the good quality and backup warranty's they offer. Save your shekels and buy a good first gun, which ever way you decide. Rod
 
I see no reason not to get the .22 first.
A new shooter needs to SHOOT, and with a .22 you can shoot all day for $15.
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I am in complete agreement with this statement.

A .22 is not the ideal choice for a self defense weapon,,,
But with good ammo and shot placement,,,
It can be very effective.

Here's another cliche to add to your list:
A hit with a 22 is better than a miss with a 45.

With a .22 you can afford all the practice you can handle,,,
You will be financially able to develop that proficiency.

Then later on you can step up to a centerfire handgun,,,
Your proficiency gained with the 22 will translate to the larger cartridge very nicely.

I believe your initial thought of a Ruger 22-LCR is a wise one,,,
Get the 22 and shoot the heck out of it.

Step up to the 38 or 357 when finances and confidence make it feasible.

Aarond
 
There's simply too many people having too many problems with the bulk (cheap) .22lr ammo to ignore or dismiss as user error... General consensus is that the only decent .22lr ammo anymore is CCI... It's very possible that the .38 spl may actually be more economical than the .22lr.
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I disagree on several points. Most/all the complaints I've seen have been about Remington ammo in one form or another. Federal makes good reliable ammo and their bulk packs are the same price as Remington, and cost less than 4 cents a round. Even the better grade/accuracy Federal Auto Match is less than 5 cents a round.

To beat those prices with .38 special, you would have to cast your own, and even then you wouldn't beat it by much, if any, considering the cost of the primer and powder (even if the lead was free). I doubt if the OP is up for that at this point.
 
Welcome to The Firing Line, Stockhausen!

I agree with aarondgraham on this one. I think a .22 makes for a good first gun. Being able to shoot all day for <$20 means that you can get in lots and lots of practice. No, the .22 will never be known as "The Manstopper," but lots and lots of cheap trigger time should make you a better shooter. And that will make you more effective with whatever you choose to cc.

I also think that starting with the LCR in 22 with an eye to stepping up to a .38 or .357 later makes sense. When you go to make the switch, you'll find that all of the controls on the new pistol will be in the same place. Should you ever (heaven forbid) have to use your CCW in a shootout, that's a very, very bad time to discover that the cylinder release button isn't where your thumb thought it was.
 
Cost of rimfire ammo,,,

General consensus is that the only decent .22lr ammo anymore is CCI... It's very possible that the .38 spl may actually be more economical than the .22lr.
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I buy CCI MiniMags at $7.00 for a box of 100,,,
$6.50 if I want to brave the WalMart crowd.

That makes for a cost of 7-cents a round,,,
For the best (IMHO) rimfire ammo out there.

Please tell me where-inna-heck one can buy .38 Special for 7-cents a round,,,
I have several hundred dollars I would like to spend there.

I also use Federal Bulk Pack from WalMart,,,
$16.95 for 550 rounds works out to 3-cents a round,,,
This ammunition has proven to be reliable and cycles all of my semi-auto's.

It's the Remington Golden BUllet (also available at Wal Mart) that is so bad.

Aarond
 
When I was a young man I owned a 38Sp, a 9mm, and a 357mag. At best I was only average with any of them. For financial and other reasons I had to sell all these. These were owned at different times. I had no gun for a couple of years. I moved out to a rural area and decided I needed a gun. I bought a Charter Arms Pathfinder with a 3" barrel to carry in my pocket for snakes and small animals, but mostly to plink cheaply. I used this gun for several years as my only handgun. I had a 22 rifle and a 12 guage shotgun. After using only the Pathfinder for several years, I got a 38Sp and was much better than I ever was before. I have since bought several more handguns and am considerably better than average with all of them. Finally my point is, I think I learned a lot of technique by using the 22lr Pathfinder with a lot of cheap ammo. Techniques such as trigger control, breathing, aiming, and flinch control. A 22lr is certainly not a best choice for personal defense, but it is better than nothing and it is an excellent training tool.
 
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