Thoughts on 22 for self defense?

[TruthTellers]

Try to imagine a duel between a guy wielding a .25 Bobcat (the best available .25 or close to it) facing off vs. someone with a Volquartsen .22LR set up for the Steel Challenge. Bonus laughs if Volquartsen guy also happens to be wearing a leather jacket.

Obsessive focus on primer reliability can lead to bad conclusions. Assuming quality ammo, we're talking about a (roughly) 1-in-1,000 event, and when it does occur, it's the simplest of all malfunctions to clear -- it's never a "jam" and takes less than a second to clear.

I'd place my bet on Volquartsen guy, even if I knew half of his (first) magazine was filled with dummy cartridges.

Exactly because the guy with the super accurate .22 is probably going to hit his opponent before his opponent is able to hit him with a tiny .25 pocket gun.

 

[manta49]

You want the most reliable, not the most unreliable .22 LR

 

[Kemikos]

If you end up having to defend yourself, a gun in .22LR is better than a sharp stick.

But if I can have a choice, I'd rather have almost any other caliber.

 

[TruthTellers]

You want the most reliable, not the most unreliable .22 LR

You also want what you shoot best with. Again, a person is likely going to shoot a gun in .22 more than .25.

 

[glockman55]

NO

 

[In The Ten Ring]

CoffeeShooter,

So did you buy a handgun or just throw all your funds towards AR 15 mags?

*It's sad we are so quickly at that point again.

 

[Glockgreat23]

There are quite a few murders every year with a 22 so they will work. While not ideal, it beats a hammer and 12 rounds into an intruder will certainly ruin his day at a minimum.

 

[amd6547]

I have carried this or that 22lr concealed from time to time. In fact, when I was young and off to college, my total self defense arsenal consisted of a Ruger Standard Model 4” auto, and I felt pretty well armed with a magazine full of minimags.

In the last few years, I have shot a lot of 22 in various pistols and a 10/22. Granted, all I shoot is CCI and Aguila products, as well as some golden bullets I bought when that was all there was...but I haven’t experienced any failures of any kind. Thousands of rounds.
I bought a Ruger SR22 when they came out, and it slips into a Kydex IWB clip on and weighs next to nothing. Safe, points like a finger, and empties it’s mag into an inch rapid fire
at seven yards. I prefer Velocitor for carry, but minimag solids are second.

 

[SGW Gunsmith]

I find it very interesting and fascinating to read some of the ideas involved with some of the prescribed equipment recommended for conceal carry and what's best should a dreaded "gunfight" ever take place.

I like Clint Smith's ( of Thunder Ranch fame ) recommendation. "Carry what you have until something better comes along".

It's easy to maintain normal senses when we're blasting away at "poppers", plates or pictures of inanimate creeps. Real life encounters never usually go that smoothly and it takes a lot of "moxy" to maintain your COOL when rounds are being returned. Shoot enough to get your butt out of harms way, and find a path of retreat. Like the student asked Clint Smith, "what sort of a weapon he would bring if he knew he was going to get into a gunfight?' Mr. Smith said that if he knew there was gonna be a gunfight, he wouldn't go.

It hasn't happened to me as yet..........and I hope like hell it never does.

 

[DanPop]

I once successfully killed an attacker with a 22 and let me tell you that was one big fly.

Look as has been beat to death, 22 is is a range round and cheap round. Anyone relying on a 22 for self defense is asking for trouble.

All statements made by me are my opinion only and not necessarily factual because of the Vodka.

 

[Cosmodragoon]

I bought a Ruger SR22 when they came out, and it slips into a Kydex IWB clip on and weighs next to nothing. Safe, points like a finger, and empties it’s mag into an inch rapid fire ...

The SR22 is an excellent little gun. It's like an alternate-reality near-perfect version of the Walther P22. It's comfortable in hand, easy to carry, and fun to shoot. I see people recommending them as trainers for DA/SA carry guns in larger calibers. The SR22 works just fine for that but they are so good and so reliable (for what they are) that you'll want to carry it.

My problem is that there are few places where I won't just grab a more powerful center-fire handgun. I understand the concept of a kit gun but if I am going to have something on my waist and I can only have one... this little gem sadly gets bumped every time... Darn it! Why won't Ruger just take this superb design and extend it to better defensive calibers? Walther might not like it but don't you think an SR380 would be sweet?

 

[Hanshi]

No one in their right mind wants to get shot. If you are stuck with a .22LR, make sure it's and auto and be prepared to empty the magazine.