I have a 22 Ruger that I use for protection because I am comfortable with it and target practice with it all the time. Husband wants me to have something bigger for protection. I think if someone breaks in and sees me with any size gun, ready to shoot, or hears a shot, he won't wait to find out what gun I have. Hubby disagrees and thinks its not a loud enough gun and won't stop someone high on crack or something. Please advise... Thanks, Anne
Ruger 22 handgun protection question
- Thread starter ralphc21
- Start date
Hello, and welcome.
Your husband is correct. The .22 LR round, while fine for target practice and plinking, is absolutely worthless as a self-defense round. In order to stop someone with a .22, you have to be a perfect shot. Can you be perfect when nervous, or just roused from a sound sleep? Any defensive firearm used, must have some margin for error. You can't always hit center mass, or hit a target squarely between the eyes. If your target is moving, can you be perfect?
The mere sight of a firearm won't just scare off an intruder in many instances. In those cases, you must have a firearm capable of stopping the bad guy. And the .22 caliber (long rifle or magnum) just isn't up to the task.
The minimum you should consider would be a .38 caliber revolver, and preferably something larger, let us say, in the .40-.45 caliber range. A 9mm Parabellum automatic should also be considered a minimum.
With the right instruction and dedicated practice, you can become comfortable and proficient with a larger caliber revolver or semi-automatic pistol. Start by going to a firing range and renting a larger caliber pistol or revolver. This will also give you a starting reference point. However, be sure you have someone who can provide good instruction with stance, gun hold, and the other details which will put you in charge of the firearm.
I do disagree with your husband about the noise factor. When under high stress, neither party (you or the bad guy) will be distracted by a gun shot, no matter how loud. In an enclosed environment, any firearms will seem like a cannon.
Good luck, and fear not!
Your husband is correct. The .22 LR round, while fine for target practice and plinking, is absolutely worthless as a self-defense round. In order to stop someone with a .22, you have to be a perfect shot. Can you be perfect when nervous, or just roused from a sound sleep? Any defensive firearm used, must have some margin for error. You can't always hit center mass, or hit a target squarely between the eyes. If your target is moving, can you be perfect?
The mere sight of a firearm won't just scare off an intruder in many instances. In those cases, you must have a firearm capable of stopping the bad guy. And the .22 caliber (long rifle or magnum) just isn't up to the task.
The minimum you should consider would be a .38 caliber revolver, and preferably something larger, let us say, in the .40-.45 caliber range. A 9mm Parabellum automatic should also be considered a minimum.
With the right instruction and dedicated practice, you can become comfortable and proficient with a larger caliber revolver or semi-automatic pistol. Start by going to a firing range and renting a larger caliber pistol or revolver. This will also give you a starting reference point. However, be sure you have someone who can provide good instruction with stance, gun hold, and the other details which will put you in charge of the firearm.
I do disagree with your husband about the noise factor. When under high stress, neither party (you or the bad guy) will be distracted by a gun shot, no matter how loud. In an enclosed environment, any firearms will seem like a cannon.
Good luck, and fear not!
Geek-With-A-Gun
New member
I've worked in a hospital ER
You don't know what it is like to have to deal with someone on PCP. I watched four police officers wrestle a guy in on PCP and it took everything they had to subdue him. To a guy on PCP, or any of a number of drugs, a .22 would be no worse than a mosquito bite.
The sight of a gun might work against a common thief, but it will do nothing to someone who is no longer in touch with reality because of drugs or psychosis. The mere sight of a gun will also have little effect on a sociopath or rapist. These people have a deep seated need to kill or rape and nothing will stop them except a well placed round from gun.
I have to agree with your husband.
You don't know what it is like to have to deal with someone on PCP. I watched four police officers wrestle a guy in on PCP and it took everything they had to subdue him. To a guy on PCP, or any of a number of drugs, a .22 would be no worse than a mosquito bite.
The sight of a gun might work against a common thief, but it will do nothing to someone who is no longer in touch with reality because of drugs or psychosis. The mere sight of a gun will also have little effect on a sociopath or rapist. These people have a deep seated need to kill or rape and nothing will stop them except a well placed round from gun.
I have to agree with your husband.
Taking this quote in context and not out of many a person have lost there life to the tiny 22 round. Taking your train of thought from above I am understanding that if the shooter only does half of there job ( 1/2 a perfect shot ) with a 38,40,45 that will be good enough? I think not! Even with the larger calibers no margin of error will work. Better choices in larger calibers perhaps, BUT SHE IS COMFY WITH IT.
Since when is the 9mm a minimum defensive round?
The opening post states that SHE IS COMFORTABLE WITH IT and that is the whole point of having/practicing/and having it for self defense. Remember HER CHOICE.
The hubby thinks its not loud enough? What does the loudness of the gun have to do anything? Is the sound of the shot going to stop the intruder if the shot mis?
I would feel confident with her at MY side if she shoots well and hits what she aims at with the measly little 22.
Better a hit with the 22 than a miss with the 45.
orionengnr
New member
Not enough info.
Are you actually carrying it? If so, there are any number of handguns that weigh less, are smaller in length and utilize a more potent projectile. I love my MkIIs and shoot them nearly every week, but I would no sooner carry one than I would a crossbow.
If you are just leaving it in the study drawer, hoping to be able to access it "when the time comes", then that opens another line of questioning...however, it eliminates the size/weight issue.
If we are actually talking about carrying, the best advice I have ever seen is to carry a handgun in the most potent caliber that you can fire accurately and effectively.
No matter what you decide, good job on taking some measure of responsibility for your own safety and taking action towards that goal.
Are you actually carrying it? If so, there are any number of handguns that weigh less, are smaller in length and utilize a more potent projectile. I love my MkIIs and shoot them nearly every week, but I would no sooner carry one than I would a crossbow.
If you are just leaving it in the study drawer, hoping to be able to access it "when the time comes", then that opens another line of questioning...however, it eliminates the size/weight issue.
If we are actually talking about carrying, the best advice I have ever seen is to carry a handgun in the most potent caliber that you can fire accurately and effectively.
No matter what you decide, good job on taking some measure of responsibility for your own safety and taking action towards that goal.
Nowhere in my answer did I deny the lethality of the "tiny" .22LR. Any thing coming out of the barrel of a gun is potentially lethal. And I never mentioned anything about "half of there (sic) job". There has to be an allowance for lack of a perfect shot. If you miss center mass, and hit a lung, liver, the BG will still be disabled. The larger the mass of the bullet and velocity, the more likely one is liable to inflict a disabling/mortal wound if the target is hit in a critical spot.
Defensive action means eliminating the threat. If one stops the threat by killing, the threat is stopped. If one stops the threat by a disabling wound, and the BG can't continue the fight, the threat is stopped. By definition, the aggressor is in offensive mode. The person at home is in defensive mode.
None of us will ever be able to defend ourselves "COMFY". The very fact that one has to face a bad guy, means that one is taken out of the comfort zone, and put into the highest of stressful situations.
By definition, the 9mm Parabellum is a handgun round. Likewise, handguns are primarily defensive arms. Rifles are offensive weapons. (See Jeff Cooper)
psychohellbilly666
New member
I say by all means use what you are comfy with. Granted the 22 is not as efficient as a 357 or a 45 but I subscribe to the theory of shot placement. In the heat of battle anyone can lose their cool and pull their shot. If you practice with the 22 then I assume you are a pretty good shot with it. I might suggest practicing with your husbands handgun in case the situation calls for it. But as stated a 22 to an organ or head shot is better than a 45 to a supperficial shoulder wound. Just my .02.
Lost Sheep
New member
Absolutely right.
ralphc21, Anne,
I think most of the advice given so far has the nearly unspoken advice, "While the .22 is not as effective as something with heavier and larger bullets, you are GENERALLY better off with a gun you can hit with. So, the advice is to train and practice with a mind to become comfortable with a more effective round.
From your last post, I believe you are absolutely making the right choice. (Unless you have access to a shotgun, which would be more effective than any handgun, and a better choice under most circumstances).
Uncharacteristically, I will stop now.
Lost Sheep
ralphc21, Anne,
I think most of the advice given so far has the nearly unspoken advice, "While the .22 is not as effective as something with heavier and larger bullets, you are GENERALLY better off with a gun you can hit with. So, the advice is to train and practice with a mind to become comfortable with a more effective round.
From your last post, I believe you are absolutely making the right choice. (Unless you have access to a shotgun, which would be more effective than any handgun, and a better choice under most circumstances).
Uncharacteristically, I will stop now.
Lost Sheep
She comfortable with it she shoot it and 4 or 5 rounds fired in rapid fire will do a lot of damage. I rather my wife be armed with a pistol she can use and feels comfortable with than one she not. After 20 years of different calibers and pistols my wife SD carry and home pistol is a P-32 KelTec She shoots it and carries it daily .
Bill DeShivs
New member
I personally know of an instance where a man shot in the right lung with a 12 ga. shotgun ran 35 yards before he collapsed. There is a documented one shot stop with a .22 from a pistol on a bull African elephant!
NO bullet is a guaranteed immediate one shot stop- unless the brain or spine is hit. MOST hits will stop most people.
A larger caliber is marginally better with less than optimal shot placement. With optimal placement, it really doesn't matter.
Way too much emphasis is placed on caliber, and way too little is placed on accuracy.
A larger caliber gun would be better for you, if you are as comfortable with it and can shoot it as well as your .22.
Until then, the .22 will suffice.
BTW- noise has nothing to do with it.
NO bullet is a guaranteed immediate one shot stop- unless the brain or spine is hit. MOST hits will stop most people.
A larger caliber is marginally better with less than optimal shot placement. With optimal placement, it really doesn't matter.
Way too much emphasis is placed on caliber, and way too little is placed on accuracy.
A larger caliber gun would be better for you, if you are as comfortable with it and can shoot it as well as your .22.
Until then, the .22 will suffice.
BTW- noise has nothing to do with it.
Our house got broke into while my wife was at home at about 5:10 am. Our three dogs chased him/them out of the house. That is what predicated our first gun purchase. She started with a PT-92 9mm, then a P345 .45 ACP. Finally a Glock 27 (I think, we are separated now), anyway a Glock subcompact .45. Her favorite gun to shoot was a .460 S&W 8 1/2" barrel with very hot hand loads.
As far as your question, though... if you are talking about home protection and not carrying, you might want to look at a gun like the Taurus PT-92 or the real thing, the Baretta 92. It is an all steel gun so is relatively heavy. It will feel a lot like the Ruger .22. I don't think you will notice the difference in recoil because the gun is so heavy.
As far as noise, you might want to try earplugs under the headphones.
I used to come it at night and honk the horn in the garage before I went in the house. One night I forgot to honk the horn and came in through the garage door which entered into the kitchen. On the other side of the kitchen was the wife and I was staring down the business end of the P345. That kind of sucked! I am glad she had self control! (Sort of - it's an ugly divorce going on!)
As far as your question, though... if you are talking about home protection and not carrying, you might want to look at a gun like the Taurus PT-92 or the real thing, the Baretta 92. It is an all steel gun so is relatively heavy. It will feel a lot like the Ruger .22. I don't think you will notice the difference in recoil because the gun is so heavy.
As far as noise, you might want to try earplugs under the headphones.
I used to come it at night and honk the horn in the garage before I went in the house. One night I forgot to honk the horn and came in through the garage door which entered into the kitchen. On the other side of the kitchen was the wife and I was staring down the business end of the P345. That kind of sucked! I am glad she had self control! (Sort of - it's an ugly divorce going on!)
Cheapshooter
New member
You stated "if someone breaks into the house" If the gun is for home defense, and not for carry outside the home the hole in the barrel should not be measured in caliber but rather GUAGE. Like 12!!!!
From what i can tell this is about home defense and not about a concealed carry gun.I too suggest a shotgun,alot easier to control and shoot with much greater power than any handgun.
You can try .410, 20, 16, and 12 gauge and see which you can handle most effectively and yet still be the most powerfull one you can control.
They come in all shapes,sizes and actions like pump guns and semi auto's.
One great thing is if you dont already have one they arent very expensive compared to many hanguns.And practice ammo is about on par with 9mm ammo prices wich is a good thing.
If you just cant do a shotgun,try a full sized 9mm.Ruger makes some really affordable ones that are very reliable and easy to handle.Most ladies can handle 9mm if the gun is large enough as it absorbs most of the recoil.Plus they hold like 15-20 rounds depending on the model.9mm is the cheapest centerfire ammo right behind .22 so you can afford to practice.
You may need to try a few models also depending on the size of your hands,as many ladies down have paws like us men do.
You can try .410, 20, 16, and 12 gauge and see which you can handle most effectively and yet still be the most powerfull one you can control.
They come in all shapes,sizes and actions like pump guns and semi auto's.
One great thing is if you dont already have one they arent very expensive compared to many hanguns.And practice ammo is about on par with 9mm ammo prices wich is a good thing.
If you just cant do a shotgun,try a full sized 9mm.Ruger makes some really affordable ones that are very reliable and easy to handle.Most ladies can handle 9mm if the gun is large enough as it absorbs most of the recoil.Plus they hold like 15-20 rounds depending on the model.9mm is the cheapest centerfire ammo right behind .22 so you can afford to practice.
You may need to try a few models also depending on the size of your hands,as many ladies down have paws like us men do.
Your 22 Ruger (what kind?) is one of the best handguns to
practice with. But for personal protection it is probably just slightly better than a baseball bat.
You should never ever, I will say it again ' NEVER EVER!!!', assume that the sight of the gun is going to stop a bad person from doing wrong. There is a more than good chance some one coming at you will not even see the gun... in fact it will probably be several seconds or even longer before they even know you have shot them...
You need a bigger gun for home defense. I would suggest a Ruger SR9 or P95. "I'm a Ruger fan."
Going from shooting the 22 to 9mm or above is going to be difficult... especially if you are practicing at an indoor range... but this is what you need to do if you are going to potentially rely on a handgun for protection.
practice with. But for personal protection it is probably just slightly better than a baseball bat.
You should never ever, I will say it again ' NEVER EVER!!!', assume that the sight of the gun is going to stop a bad person from doing wrong. There is a more than good chance some one coming at you will not even see the gun... in fact it will probably be several seconds or even longer before they even know you have shot them...
You need a bigger gun for home defense. I would suggest a Ruger SR9 or P95. "I'm a Ruger fan."
Going from shooting the 22 to 9mm or above is going to be difficult... especially if you are practicing at an indoor range... but this is what you need to do if you are going to potentially rely on a handgun for protection.
mikejonestkd
New member
Cajun has great advice, use what you have and also learn to move up to centerfires, practicing till your are confident with a centerfire too.
