Relying on a .22 for self-defense isn't something everyone is comfortable with. But for those who are, it's not always clear which load to choose for this role. Our most recent batch of ballistic gelatin testing included both .22 LR and .22 Magnum with 2 and 4-inch barrels. Today, I'm taking a closer look at those test results and making a few recommendations for the best self-defense loads for handguns in these popular rimfire calibers.
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I'm sorry, but I've had way too many misfires in too many varieties of guns to even consider a rimfire cartridge for self defense.
I can understand somebody who's elderly or too weak to handle anything else using one, but I'm not even close to that point yet, thank God.
Ken, you are spot on with your conclusions. If you have weak hands or just prefer small hardware, get yourself a .380 at a minimum, or a .38 wheel gun and pay for a professional trigger job. A buttery smooth trigger with under 3lbs of pull will change the way you think about the downsides of .22's.
ReplyDeleteA.22 is way better than nothing but a .32 acp is likely the bare minimum if one has a choice. Pocket pistols chambered for 9mm, .40 S&W or.357 Sig are all available and decent and preferable choices.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't carry anything smaller than a 38 Special, but I prefer a 45 By God ACP or 357 Magnum. I haven't been able to talk myself into buying a 9mm yet.
DeleteI just enjoy shooting 45.
DeleteIf you are not too concerned about concealment, it's hard to beat the 5.7x28. Most handguns carry at least 20 rounds. Almost no recoil and its speed is going to penetrate the clothes, even in winter, of the bad guy (and probably soft armor too). Very comfortable and accurate.
DeleteThe 5.7 is basically a centrefire .22 Magnum. The change to centrefire primers overcomes the issue of unreliable percussion to which rimfire cartridges are prone. FN makes some nice pistols for the calibre they developed. Too bad they are forbidden here in their homeland.
DeleteWorking that right hand regularly, are ya!
ReplyDeleteIf you're going to carry .22 make it a magnum and make it CCI.
ReplyDelete100 % correct on the cci. Very dependable.
DeleteI can remember days past when CCI gave me nothing but trouble, but I've had no complaints about them in the past few years. Give me a choice between CCI or any other budget ammo, I'll take the CCI.
DeleteI must be really blessed. Except for worn out weapons and poor cleaning I've not had misfires with quality 22 rimfire ammo.
ReplyDeleteI've had plenty of issues with old Thunderbolt 22 LR. Seems recently they've gotten better but are still a dirty round.
My El cheapo 22 mag garden revolver has never failed to do its job on pests and the occasional troublesome dog.
I have essentially the same experience with my 30-yo Ruger Single-Six. Can't recall a fail with .22WMR or Minimags in the .22LR cylinder. I can't say the same for my .22 auto loaders.
DeleteRemington Goldens are my go to 22 ammo.
DeleteThunderbolts are a little dirty for me.........
back in the 1970's I carried a Walther PPK in 22lr just about everywhere. it worked every time too. but back then I was feeding it Eley ammo too. it was a bit cheaper and could be found just about anywhere in Europe . even today I would use one as a backup weapon if I needed it. otherwise I carry a 9mm every day now. and it is the same today. don't use cheap ammo!
ReplyDeletebesides a 22lr doesn't male a lot of noise and with 3-4 rounds inside a 4 inch circle. well.
whoever is going to have a big problem with that. dave in pa.
My general rule is to carry as large a firearm and caliber I can handle.
ReplyDeleteIf you simply must have a .22 level cartridge for cc, either use a da revolver, or move to
ReplyDelete.25 ACP. Similar power, but far more reliable.
Why not 22 magnum?
DeleteRoger that. If you're limited to 22lr, an 8 or 9 shot revolver with 40 gr, HV solids, is about the most you can get out a 22 lr. Expansion isn't great for 22's. Solids stand the best probability of reaching something important. Penetration is all that you can hope for with such limited energy.
DeleteSurprisingly, a 9mm out of a snubby, blows the 38 sp. outta the water!
Caliber of bullet is irrelevant. Shots on target are all that matter. . Case in point recent amazon driver killed with pellet gun..
DeleteAs a back up to my backup gun, I carry a NAA Pug revolver in a neck holster You can swap out cylinders in both. 22 lr and .22 magnum. It's definitely a get off me gun, but nice to have in reserve.
ReplyDeleteMy truck piece is a composite frame Ruger 38s laser grip. Bought it used. Was a test pistol at a major local gun dealer. Probably has around 1000 rds fired between me and shop. Clean little number that fits nicely in the glovebox with 2 extra ammo refills. I never take it out of the truck.
ReplyDeleteHome protection is a 9mm no safety SW always within reach and 3 sweet to everybody but bad guys at 3am bully mutts.
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My back up is a NAA in .22mag. I run CCI's. Works every time. If I was younger and stronger it'd be a second 1911. Too many years in construction...
ReplyDeleteI watched Col Cooper talk on carrying hand guns. What Kenny and anon @ 6:47PM said is in line with what Col Jeff Cooper said.
ReplyDelete80 years old and no longer set the truck on the jack to change tires. A NAA mini-revolver stays in my vehicle close at hand. I have two .22 cylinders and two .22 mag cylinders. Out of the car it is in a pocket. My self defense needs, given my physical limitations, are at bad breath range.
ReplyDeleteFor over thirty years I carried a Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog. That now stays by the bed.
The old saying, a gun at hand beats no gun at all. To each his own. I'm a revolver man.
I've carried a .22 long rifle automatic by itself as a hiking companion, but not as a rule by a long shot. Usually when I was hunting small game with a handgun - carrying a rifle or shotgun (even slung) became a chore. A centerfire holstered handgun was carried a better solution. A .22 Magnum is a definite step up in power.
ReplyDeleteReliability - I don't buy the large 300 - 500 round bulk loads at all, so cannot comment on reliability of them. In .22 automatics, often a chamber scrubbing would be a remedy to misfires - rimfire powder is known for powder grime cushioning a firing pin impact. Still - there is the occasional bad priming and the round is discarded.
So self defense. Walking in the urban jungle where trouble was far easier to find - not a place for the rimfire sidearm. I want something with more octane, a small 9mm or .45acp minimum. And if I expect trouble to find me - I just don't go, period. Life it too short.
Shot almost 10,000 rounds of 22 in the past 8-9 years and have had very,very,very few ammo issues.
ReplyDeleteDirty gun and light strikes with the firing pin are the most reasons for issues.
Paul Harrell did a great video testing the fail rate of 22.
I carried a S&W 22 compact for a year as EDC.
I have fired many K rounds of .22 LR. Mainly Winchester and ICI,here in Aus. Never had a misfire! Might have been due to the quality of my BSA 5 shot repeater though. I don't know.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Atlanta it was a full size 10mm, 357, or 45. I moved to rural SE Georgia and I have switched out to a North American Arms in .22mag. I have a pocket holster and there is almost zero print.
ReplyDeleteIn my many years of smallbore competition with both pistols and rifles, I have had only one FTF which was an Eley Match round. (black box) In those years, I have used Eley, Lapua, CCI, RWS & perhaps a few other brands for practice. (I buy my practice & competition ammo by the case) Never the low priced stuff. In truth, I have had more dud rounds with centerfire ammo than rimfire. (good rimfire that is)
ReplyDeleteFinally, as far as personal defense goes, a .22 of any type is far better than "Please mister don't hurt me".
If I was going to carry a 22 it would be 22 Jet center fire.
ReplyDeleteI have a .25 Jetfire.
DeleteI'd be better off with a pointed stick..........