Thoughts on 22 for self defense?

C

CoffeeShooter

New member
I’m finding myself looking for self defense pistol and wondering if 22 was worth anything other than fending off pests on a ranch. Recently found a Walther M1911 chambered in 22 with a 12+1 capacity for reasonable price and tempted to buy simply for the aesthetics and how cost effective the round would be for target practice, but would it be effective at self defense? Also thoughts on this gun?
 
I'm thinking, if you're going to go thru the trouble of carrying a 1911, why waste your time on a .22LR? I'd think there are better .22's to carry like the Walther P22 or the Ruger SR22.
 
Eh I’d eventually want a 45 1911, not like I’d be going outta way on pocket book with the 22. 350 is about average for most decent 22 pistols I’ve seen so far. But really am curious about what you think about the round for self defense as well
 
Here's just a couple of the many past threads discussing this subject. A good 22 handgun is a tremendously valuable training tool for practicing the fundamentals without the distraction of noise or recoil. But in most circumstances, I believe that there are better options.

https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580980
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=568092
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=493745
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=507427
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=346585
https://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=590351
 
Yes this topic has been beat to death many times before.

Myself I would not consider a .22 LR for self defense unless I had no other option due to disability or such.

Remember the goal with a self defense shooting is to stop the threat as quickly as possible. The fact that a .22 LR can kill someone does no good if the threat lives long enough to gut you while laughing at you before dropping dead.
 
Yeah I’ll probably aim for a 9mm or 380. There’s several around price range of 250-350 that are relatively decent and more stopping power than a 22. I’m just on a really tight budget for next few months to end of year most likely
 
I think it would be adequate (not great but adequate) if it was center-fire. I have way too many misfires with rimfire ammo in a handgun; even the more expensive stuff.
 
There’s a few 9mm I’ve seen for 250-350 at academy. Any good review sites for mobile to check out weapons as I’m encountering them in stores and online? So far I’m mostly avoiding Hi-Point and Taurus.
 
There are quite a few to choose from within your price range.

A couple of years ago my wife was looking for a CCW piece and something to keep at hand while at home.

She handled at least 8 and finally chose the S&W SD9VE. After shooting it, I decided it was a good one and bought 3 more. Prices were less than $290 NIB.

A lot of folks complain about the trigger, but it suits us just fine. The last thing I want on a carry and HD gun is a light trigger.

The only Failure was my fault as I was developing a cast bullet for use in them, but I have worked that out and the guns work flawlessly.

Each shooter has their preferences, but those are mine.

PS: I bought them all at Academy.
 
The biggest problem with a 22lr for defensive use is the lack of reliability. Just not reliable enough to trust your life to.

It makes a fine training round. Less recoil, noise, cost and the lack of reliability all make it a good training round. You get some built in ball and dummy training when it goes CLICK and then some malfunction training as you clear it.

Not for serious use though.
 
Can you give us a little more information? Are you planning on carrying whatever you end up getting or will this be for home defense only? Are you willing to buy used instead of new? If you are planning on carrying, are you thinking of pocket, inside the waistband, or outside the waistband? These are really just some of the things you need to think about before deciding on what you're going to get. Normally I'd suggest some good 380s, but since money is going to be tight, 9mm is cheaper than 380. Lots of choices depending on your needs.
 
CoffeeShooter wrote:
...wondering if 22 was worth anything...
Click to expand...

Yes, the 22 Long Rifle cartridge can be as effective as any other in the hands of someone well trained in its use and familiar with the cartridge and the gun he/she is firing. Still, the margin for error and the arguably greater likelihood for more than one shot to stop an assailant suggests that there are better choices.
 
If the 22 was a revolver it would have to be double action. To be honest if I to relay on a 22 I would want my Ruger MK II. At 7 yards I can put 10 rounds into a fist size group as fast as I can pull the trigger. I think that would be good enough for social work. But I prefer a 9mm or 45 acp.
 
If you can shoot anything else that's not .22, shoot that. The rimfire system is not reliable and most of the times I have to clear a failure to whatever, it's with a .22. Not only the rimfire, but in a semi auto, because the .22 is a heeled bullet, the chamber is only slightly bigger than the bullet and the case, so there's a lot of room (or in this case, not enough room) for errors and you can get jams due to the bullet being loose.

The best .22 handguns for defense are revolvers, but the triggers suck because it takes a lot of force to ignite the rimfire primer. It's just the way it is.
 
CoffeeShooter said:
How would SSCY compare as a good budget 9mm?
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They aren’t bad... I’d call them economical. Is it a match pistol? Hell, no. But they do work. Shoot some rounds through it, if you have issues... they do have a decent warranty (lifetime, shy of abuse; think you just cover shipping to them). If you buy something that doesn’t have a normal track record (Glock, Beretta, SIG, etc), put a good amount of rounds through it to confirm it works. Depending on what you are looking to do with it, will point out that the SCCY pistols don’t have a rail for a light. If home defense, I’d prefer a rail mounted light... but something that is your decision. A little more input would help us see if there is any reason a SCCY wouldn’t work for you.

Another option, check gun shows or used pistols. Can find police trade ins for a decent price, usually just some finish wear. Might even get you in the ballpark of those new... and if something like a Glock, cheaper accessories/parts/magazines. Those are just a handful of costs that most people don’t consider. Paying a couple dollars more might get you into a platform where magazines are plentiful and cheap. I’m sure you can find accessories, but look up holster options between those and any common Glock model...

Not trying to sway you away from SCCY... but rather you look at the entire purchase process. You might thing it is just a gun... but you do tend to spend a lot after the original purchase. When I went into 10mm, I figured a few dollars more than a Glock 20, and I’ll have a S&W 1006... a solid, nine-shot, chunk of stainless steel. When I got into it, magazines were in the $40 range. Jumped up to $60 by the time I was done buying them... they go for $100 today. Glock 20 magazines... $22 for new 15 rounders, all day long. I’m not too up on SCCY pistols, but definitely look into what magazines go for, and if they are easily acquired.
 
CoffeeShooter said:
How would SSCY compare as a good budget 9mm? Everyone keeps saying to avoid taurus and hipoint but I know nothing of this maker. keep seeing these 2 specifically alot online. https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/sccy-cpx-2-ttsg-9mm-luger-pistol#repChildCatid=4860028
And this https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/sccy-cpx-1-carbon-9mm-luger-pistol#repChildCatid=4860505.
I think I saw one in store as well
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IMO, SCCY is so-so. They're more carryable than Hi Point, but I hate their triggers.

Check out the Ruger EC9s. If you think you may possibly ever want night sights for it though, the LC9s has replaceable sights, the EC9s doesn't.

If you don't mind .40 and Glocks and are willing to go through gunbroker, here's a good deal from my favorite seller: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/750728523
 
It would be my bottom of the line recommendation if a person was elderly or disabled and couldn't handle a bigger caliber.
 
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