All valid points. However, a Ruger .22LR (or any other well made, reliable auto) can put 8-9 rounds into a target in less than four seconds. And in most cases they can easily be put into the head of a silhouette target, even rapidly. With that much accuracy and firepower, I suspect it could easily be used by a homeowner as a very robust self defense round. And when used with a quality brand of ammunition, it would be as reliable as one could realistically expect.
When I go shooting, I'm aware that many times there will be a box of "duds" seemingly brimming with .22LR rounds that didn't ignite. I've put my share of duds in the collection, but they're mostly Thunderbolts or some other cheap, dirty brand that's caked with wax (though companies are now polishing their ammo). If using any gun for self defense, I'd use a stellar brand of hi-velocity ammo. I've tracked many self defense shootings over the years and I'm amazed by the number of successful shootings with the so-called sub-calibers, including the tiny .25ACP and .22LR out of palm-sized guns.
That doesn't mean I would advocate the use of diminutive pistols, only that I've noted them and how many times they've resulted in the deaths of the assailants. It was only when I began noting the numbers of successful shootings
and deaths caused by these smaller rounds that I began questioning the advice given by pundits to avoid them. That doesn't mean I'd recommend palm pistols for home defense use, but I'm a bit more open to carrying them in lower-risk situations. And I'd certainly have nothing against using a .22LR Ruger pistol or a rifle.
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Beretta 70S is favored by Israeli agents.
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Ruger Mark II is accurate and fast.
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Unless one used a .22WMR (magnum) (top) I wouldn't recommend a SA
revolver. But when it can spit them out like the Ruger Mark II/III, I think the
use of .22LR as a home defense gun is fine.
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