Need reliable and durable .22 for ultra concealment

R

Red Bull

New member
Let's pretend you needed the ultimate concealable pocket gun. It must be .22 because this gun, let's pretend, is the last gun you will ever buy before they are all banned and you want to have LOTS of ammo.
It will be for personal defense and it must be able to cover the job of deep concealment because if it is found, you are toast. Say you are in something like Nazi Germany and need a last ditch gun. Just playing pretend here.
You will have a few bricks of ammo at best to last you the rest of your life, and we know that .22 ammo is cheap and easy to store.
The point of this exercise is to find a gun that is going to last for a very long time with basic maintenance, operate very simply, and hold as much ammo as possible with the most firepower possible (semi auto preferably, if it is worth the drawbacks of using magazines etc).

The gun has to be reliable for decades at a time, which may even favor a revolver like the Smith and Wesson Airlight revolver that holds 8 rounds (problem with that is width and size of the gun, but otherwise it may be perfect).
.22 ammo is SO easy to find also, if you run out.
How about some ideas? Maybe a little NAA single action revolver? That would be just about useless except at point blank range, one shot at a time, but at least it is small and simple.

Any other ideas?
 
Well, the NAA is reliable, durable, and as concealable as you're likely to find. You can fix it yourself, since it has no more moving parts than your average rock. Just remember; that isn't a front sight. It's a locking tab to insure the barrel doesn't slip out of the Bad Guy's navel or ear canal between shots...

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"..but never ever Fear. Fear is for the enemy. Fear and Bullets."
10mm: It's not the size of the Dawg in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog!
 
My Beretta 21 was picky about ammo. It only liked Winchester Hi vel solids...but it did perk along 100% with them.

A lowlife dirtbag stole it, along with several of my other guns. It was one that I never recovered, but sure do miss.
 
Check out the Kel-Tec P-32. As light and nearly concealable as anything going, and packs a lot more punch than a .22. Also, very reasonably priced. (I've seen them from $225-$275.)
 
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tamara:
Well, the NAA is reliable, durable, and as concealable as you're likely to find. You can fix it yourself, since it has no more moving parts than your average rock. Just remember; that isn't a front sight. It's a locking tab to insure the barrel doesn't slip out of the Bad Guy's navel or ear canal between shots...
[/quote]

Why don't they have a barb on it then? Catch and release? :D :D :D :rolleyes:
 
If we're pretending that this is the last gun we buy before they're all outlawed, I would be sure to get something I could shoot JBT's in the head at 75 yards with. This would mean one of several older bolt-actions that could shoot virtually all .22 rounds.

If all guns are outlawed, I'm in "open revolt" (I'll call it "defense") anyway, so woe to you, if you call yourself "enforcement" in such sad times. You'll be fair game, and shame on you.
 
A Walther TPH should fill the bill. They are accurate and easy to conceal.They will not work wellmunless you use high velocity .22LR ammunition.
 
Another vote for the Beretta 21A, couple of magazines, a brick of Stingers, and a bunch of Q-tips for swabbing the bbl. This setup works!

However, I'd be REALLY scared to take on anybody with a .22!

If I were choosing just one .22 for anything other than personal protection, I'd probably go with a Ruger for it's durability and versatility. It would be a cold day in hell before I'd choose the Beretta over the Ruger for hunting, for example.

Regards,
--
Brian
 
If I had to go with a .22, I'd go with an alloy 3" kit gun (S&W revolver). However, I'd avoid rimfire ammo for long-term storage because of reliability concerns. I'd go with a P32 because it is as small and light as a .22 and uses more reliable centerfire ammunition. The design doesn't put tension on any springs when not in use, either. It isn't accurate enough for long-range fighting but has a reasonable probability of disabling an unarmored target with a magazine fired off at contact distance.
Most tiny .22s are hard to rack in case of a dud round and that's exactly that 22LR is known for..
 
I will vote for the 21A.Mine shot any good ammo.The other one I would recomemnd if you can find one is a Astra constable.Had one years ago and a fine weapon.Copy of the PPK

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beemerb
We have a criminal jury system which is superior to any in the world;
and its efficiency is only marred by the difficulty of finding twelve men
every day who don't know anything and can't read.
-Mark Twain
 
I forget the model, but S&W makes an AirLite .22 with a 1 7/8 inch barrel and a fake wood grip. Very similar to the kit gun, but easier to conceal.

I may also go with my Ruger 10/22T with its 4-16 power scope and 50 round ramline clip. I can make quarter sized groups from over a 100 yards away. They may see it if I try to conceal it, but they'll never see it coming from over 100 yards away!
 
Probably one of the lightweight wheel guns from Taurus, Colt or S&W would be my first choice. The Beretta would be my second choice.
 
I vote for the NAA as well. If you're going to get a larger gun you'd be better off getting a larger caliber.
And the man said "ultra-concealment". You'll never catch me sticking a Walther up my behind under ANY circumstances!

I have no doubt that an NAA stoked with Stingers or Quik-Shoks discharged into someones face from about 6" will give you an opportunity to grab a convenient 2x4 and beat them into submission.



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Keith
The Bears and Bear Maulings Page: members.xoom.com/keithrogan
 
You didn't mention anything about price range, but if you're on a serious budget how about a Phoenix Arms HP22. After a break in of about 100 rounds this $90 dollar pistol is super reliable and accurate with Remington 22 Thunderbolt and Winchester Super X Hollowpoints (a laughable hollowpoint, but one just the same). You can get the pistol in blue or like mine a brushed nickel finish. You can also carry it cocked and locked if needed. Good summer gun for me when my Glock 26 is just a little too "fat" for some attire. Hope that helps.

I forgot to mention that the gun is very thin and has 10+1 capacity.

[This message has been edited by mattfra (edited May 20, 2000).]
 
Taurus PT-22 would be my first choice to fill your criteria. It's also a good thing we're just pretending here, or I'd also feel totally screwed! :eek:
Regards from the land of make believe,
SM

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"When evil wins in the world, it is only by the default of the good. That is why one man of reason and moral stature is more important actually and potentially, than a million fools". -Ayn Rand

[This message has been edited by Airborne (edited May 20, 2000).]
 
I, too, have had tremendous success with my Taurus TP-22. In fact, as I sit typing this, it is in my left-front pocket in an Uncle Mike's pocket holster.

I've fired nearly 1,000 rounds of Winchester Wildcat through it, without a single malfunction.
 
Own PT22 and NAA; carry both.

1911 works good, but requires more work to conceal...

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
If you're not pretending and you must have a .22, get the NAA.

There are .380's and .32's semi's out there that are just as small as any .22 - I have an AMT .380 that is as small as any of the .22's mentioned above and trust me, its still difficult to conceal in summer clothes.

You can buy an NAA with a lanyard ring and wear it around your neck or as a watch fob - its that small. Its accurate enough to hit a "head-sized" object every time at ten feet or so. If you're going to use a .22, check out Quik-Shok ammo. Nasty stuff.

If you want something larger you really should step up to a .32 or .380




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Keith
The Bears and Bear Maulings Page: members.xoom.com/keithrogan
 
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