There are many ballistic gel tests on YouTube that show the .22 from a pistol penetrating 12 inches. I saw the chart on one shot stops. It looks like almost 70% of shooting with the .22 were one shot stops if I'm reading that correctly. So what does it say about 3,4,5,6,7ect shot stops? How many people do you know that could take 10 .22 shells to the chest?
Seriously considering the SR22 for CCW
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Plus, as any .22 shooter can tell you, there is .22 ammo, and there is .22 ammo.
A bare statistic that does not differentiate between shootings involving a beretta minx .22 short or a loose bore RG shooting low end thunderbolts or a 6" standard model Ruger loaded with Stingers does not give a true or complete picture of the capabilities of the .22 rimfire.
That the numbers reported, apparently lumping all .22 rimfire possibilities together, are so high, is interesting.
A bare statistic that does not differentiate between shootings involving a beretta minx .22 short or a loose bore RG shooting low end thunderbolts or a 6" standard model Ruger loaded with Stingers does not give a true or complete picture of the capabilities of the .22 rimfire.
That the numbers reported, apparently lumping all .22 rimfire possibilities together, are so high, is interesting.
Microgunner
New member
I carried my SIG Sauer P938-22 10+1 shot. 22lr pistol today and whadda ya know, I survived the whole day. Whoda thunk it. It's small and light and I felt lazy today. It's Thanksgiving.
All handguns are relatively poor "stoppers" regardless of caliber or bullet used. Shot placement and sufficient penetration are paramount, all else is secondary.
Barring a hit to the CNS (and if .45 FMJ straight-on can't always penetrate the skull, don't count on a .22 doing more than tearing the scalp), the only way to stop a determined and aggressive BG is to shut down the brain from oxygen deprivation caused by bleedout. Problem is, even a solid hit to the heart can leave 10+ seconds worth of oxygen in the brain, plenty of time for the BG to plain daisies in your hair.
With all that being said, John Lott states that the vast majority of attacks are stopped by the mere presence of a handgun (ie: BG is *not* determined/aggressive and chooses to stop the attack due to fear, pain, sight of his own blood, etc) in which case caliber used is moot.
Therefore, a case can be made for carrying a .22 when you simply cannot carry anything more powerful, but in the event of a serious attack it will underperform worse than more powerful cartridges.
Tomac
Barring a hit to the CNS (and if .45 FMJ straight-on can't always penetrate the skull, don't count on a .22 doing more than tearing the scalp), the only way to stop a determined and aggressive BG is to shut down the brain from oxygen deprivation caused by bleedout. Problem is, even a solid hit to the heart can leave 10+ seconds worth of oxygen in the brain, plenty of time for the BG to plain daisies in your hair.
With all that being said, John Lott states that the vast majority of attacks are stopped by the mere presence of a handgun (ie: BG is *not* determined/aggressive and chooses to stop the attack due to fear, pain, sight of his own blood, etc) in which case caliber used is moot.
Therefore, a case can be made for carrying a .22 when you simply cannot carry anything more powerful, but in the event of a serious attack it will underperform worse than more powerful cartridges.
Tomac
DannyB1954
New member
When they go off, .22lr work just fine. The problem with a semi auto is the time it takes to get the next bullet chambered if something does go wrong.
If I was to carry a .22lr I think my choice would be the Ruger LCR 22. A revolver pulled a second time beets the heck out of the tap & rack of a semi auto.
If I was to carry a .22lr I think my choice would be the Ruger LCR 22. A revolver pulled a second time beets the heck out of the tap & rack of a semi auto.
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LockedBreech
New member
aarondgraham said:
+1
That's about the size of it. I think .22LR is a poor choice for carry, but the SR-22P range rental I used did 500 rounds without a single burp.
Model12Win
Moderator
Honestly I'd be more comfortable with a .22 revolver with at least 8 rounds vs. the SR-22.
They are good and reliable pistols, but rimfires and .22 auto feeding in general don't give me too much confidence. With the revolver, if you have a dud just pull the trigger again and the next shot should fire. You also don't have to worry about feeding issues.
As far as power goes... with some 40 grain mini-mags penetration should be more than adequate even at handgun velocities, shot placement is critical but it is with a .45 ACP as well... .22 is probably going to have more issues with heavy clothing and bone penetration, but for all intensive purposes people have been killed with far less.
I wouldn't say I'd be "comfortable" with a .22 handgun for defense, but if you put in the time and get really good with it I do believe it will probably see you through most violent encounters.
They are good and reliable pistols, but rimfires and .22 auto feeding in general don't give me too much confidence. With the revolver, if you have a dud just pull the trigger again and the next shot should fire. You also don't have to worry about feeding issues.
As far as power goes... with some 40 grain mini-mags penetration should be more than adequate even at handgun velocities, shot placement is critical but it is with a .45 ACP as well... .22 is probably going to have more issues with heavy clothing and bone penetration, but for all intensive purposes people have been killed with far less.
I wouldn't say I'd be "comfortable" with a .22 handgun for defense, but if you put in the time and get really good with it I do believe it will probably see you through most violent encounters.
spanishjames
New member
If I was going to carry a 22lr, I would carry the SR22.
Model12Win
Moderator
I'd prefer an Uzi 9mm, 12 gauge autoloader, or .45 long slide with laser sighting, but a .22 in the right place will make the pigs squeel til the cows come home. 
aarondhgraham
New member
One positive aspect for the SR-22 is,,,
One positive aspect for the SR-22 is,,,
The fact that it is a DA/SA pistol,,,
And can do a second strike.
When I'm at the range I use whatever ammo is handy,,,
And with cheap bulk I occasionally get a dud.
With any of my single-action pistols,,,
The only thing to do is cycle the action.
With the SR-22 I just pull the trigger again,,,
I can't remember having a round not fire on the second hit.
A friend just purchased a S&W M&P Compact,,,
It's a dandy little shooter very similar to the SR-22.
But, it is a single-action, so if you have a dud round,,,
The only recourse is to cycle the action.
This why I said the SR-22 is an excellent choice,,,
If .22 LR is your preferred cartridge.
Aarond
.
One positive aspect for the SR-22 is,,,
The fact that it is a DA/SA pistol,,,
And can do a second strike.
When I'm at the range I use whatever ammo is handy,,,
And with cheap bulk I occasionally get a dud.
With any of my single-action pistols,,,
The only thing to do is cycle the action.
With the SR-22 I just pull the trigger again,,,
I can't remember having a round not fire on the second hit.
A friend just purchased a S&W M&P Compact,,,
It's a dandy little shooter very similar to the SR-22.
But, it is a single-action, so if you have a dud round,,,
The only recourse is to cycle the action.
This why I said the SR-22 is an excellent choice,,,
If .22 LR is your preferred cartridge.
Aarond
.
deerslayer303
New member
I have to whole heartedly agree with Model12win on this one. If I was going to carry a rim fire it would most definitely be a revolver. I love a good semi auto 22lr but I would not trust it to cycle 6 rounds when the chips are down, I don't care how reliable it's been at the range.