Have you ever had a .22LR for defense?

I seriously thought about a Beretta 21A, but didn't go through with it. It's not that I didn't think the .22 LR couldn't get the job done, given proper shot placement. It's just that, in my experience, with different brands of ammo and in different pistols, I've just seen too many dud rounds. You'd have a misfire, look at the case and see the rim was solidly dented from the firing pin strike, then put the same cartridge back in the chamber and give it another shot, and then it would work. It seems to me that the process for priming the rimfire case just doesn't get the priming compound distributed evenly around the rim or something.

It doesn't happen a lot, admittedly, but it happens enough for me to rule it out.

I will say, though, that the size of a 21A coupled with the low cost of the ammo, still makes it a pretty attractive package.

used to have a walther tph stainless. would only feed cci mini mags--the gun was more of a novelty. now i occasionally carry a seecamp 32 but mostly an xds 45.

No, but I enjoyed Carl's story...because I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

orionengnr said:

No, but I enjoyed Carl's story...

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+1

A North American Arms revolver from time to time due simply to it being a matter of either it at its size or nothing.

I can hide a TPH in speedo swim trunks.

So saying it "cant ccw more than a mini-revolver" is just not an accurate estimate of the facts. The reason to not trust the M21 or the Taurus variant thereof is that they lack an extractor. That chamber better be very well polished, very clean and well lubed. If I was going to ccw a .22lr, I"d much rather have a Twisted Industries .22lr conversion on the keltec PF9 9mm pocket auto. 5.5"x4", and it weighs 10 ozs.

Only time I've ever had to use a firearm for SD it was a 22lr and it worked perfectly...


... on a 4 legged menace.

Years ago I was setting up a telescope in an isolated spot way out in the boondocks and just before dusk, a pack of feral dogs approached me at a trot. I had an old Glenfield 25 behind the pickup seat with a cheap Tasco scope on it. I pulled it out and sighted in on the biggest boy in the bunch. One shot in the boiler room was all it took. He went down down like a lead weight and the rest took off with tails betwixt legs.

tpelle said:

I seriously thought about a Beretta 21A, but didn't go through with it.

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Wouldn't be my choice, either. But my sister in law keeps one in her purse all the time. She handles it pretty well, too. I gave her a S&W Model 10 to keep in her bedroom for home defense. Shoots it well enough to do the deed if needed. Wish I could get her sister to get interested in handling a handgun.

Great Story by Carl. Many times as in the NRA magazine the mere presence of a gun stops bad misguided people.

When I first got out of college I had a Winchester 1300 that I lost at a Pawn shop. To replace it I bought a 9 shot H&R 22lr revolver that was my only gun for about 6 months.

I actually upgraded with a Beretta Tomcat in 25acp.


A few months later I bought a S&W 9mmm

I still own the first two.

The Tomcat is the .32, I believe?

They make a .25 variant of the bobcat, but I don't know if the model number or name is different.

A .22 for defense? Ever?

Sure. For 3 months in 1972 all I had was a Single-Six Convertible.

22 lr derringer even smaller than a 380. Gifted it away though and miss it, enjoyed shooting. Built like a 22 tank.
This one is not mine just stock photo off the net of a 22mag version.

OP wasn't asking if you haven't or wouldn't....

I wished I bought one back in the early 1980's.

My wife grew up shooting but I came to it later in life. She told me if I wanted to get into handguns she was okay with it, but I had to start with a .22LR and learn how to shoot before she would let me buy something else. I now carry a SR40c and she has a .38spl, along with other arms. However for a while a Ruger Mark III 22/45 was our home defense weapon. I never had to use it, but for those who say it isn't adequate, it would have sure been better than my bare fists.

Most of the time it wouldn't matter a .22 or a .357mag. You point a gun at someone in self defense,they are going to turn tail and run. If you do have to shoot a well placed hole works just fine small or large.Be sure you have the correct permit to carry or you change from the victim to going to jail..

For years my Dad had an old Ruger Single Six in 22 Mag in a ratty old leather holster under the seat of his truck. I still have that old Single Six and that holster in my collection. As a younger man with a new family I kept a Jennings J22 in a thumb strap holster attached to the springs on the underside of my drivers seat. I could reach it while seated back when I was skinny. It was surprisingly reliable for a $55 piece of junk, and all I could afford at the time. I never had a need for it, but it was comforting to know it was there. Today I have lots of choices, but I would never hesitate to carry a 22 if that was all I had.

I had a STAR 22LR baby 1911 I carried and used for home protection In my younger days . Was in 1960's Army all I could afford on a PFC pay check . Married and off post .

Today a Beretta 21A some times, but my #1 mouse is a Beretta 950BS in 25 auto. King of the 25 autos. I like 25 over 22 Mine 25 Beretta's have proven more reliable. Than their 22 LR brothers.

I got a smith model 34 when I was 19 and since it was the only handgun I had I used it for a carry gun. You can get a CCW in South Dakota at age 18...

Yes. At a time when all I could afford was a used Iver Johnson TP22. It was with me all day, every day. It never failed and I liked that it was DA/SA in case it didn't go bang the first time. That never happened. It, and others have also served back up duty.

Sure have and will again. S&W snub fits in the pocket nice and I'm good with it. I carry larger calibers also but have no worries with the .22 just use good ammo. I sure don't want to be perforated by one.

IIRC, many years ago there was a bank robbery in Phoenix, AZ, the banditos were making their getaway across the parking lot and took exception to a man watching them very closely. One of them popped off a round at the man, Bad mistake, he near instantly took a .22 slug in the eye, another perp took two .22 rounds in the throat, #3 & #4 perps got out of Dodge muy pronto.

Turned out the guy with the .22 pistol was a competitive target shooter.

7.62 Nato said:

Yes. At a time when all I could afford was a used Iver Johnson TP22. It was with me all day, every day. It never failed and I liked that it was DA/SA in case it didn't go bang the first time. That never happened. It, and others have also served back up duty.

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Wife had one of those Arkansas PPK clones she bought in 1986. Was Illegal to do so, but she CC carried it the entire five years we were in California. She later gifted it to our daughter, who kept it in the car with her at all times, she in turn has now given it to our granddaughter.

I know two instances where female relatives with .22 rifles scared off threatening men.

I have plenty of centerfire ad .22 lr now. I would not feel to bad with the .22 if it was one or even two guys or dogs... A 10/22 with a couple 30 round clips is nothing to sneeze at for house duty... If things ever go real south I intend to keep a .22 or so with the registered cans handy for dispersing of roving threats or like with dog packs- taking out the leaders and watchin the followers leave... Bfore CCW was a legal option in many states those lil jennings .22"s sold like hot cakes for the 39.00 they used to cost- mine were/are pop can accurate to twenty yards or so.