.22 lr

[Charleo0192]

So im sure you've seen this question before, would a .22 LR pistol be good for HD. I realize its not a first choice, but in my mind, a well placed shot will do the same as a .45.

 

[oasis618]

<retrieves popcorn from the microwave> here we go...

 

[303Jeff]

And you're absolutely right... The only problem is that under duress even the most highly trained shooter isn't necessarily going to be able to make a perfect shot, especially if they're being charged with a knife or shot at with a gun. So, either you make the perfect shot or you hit them a few times in the general center-of-mass area with a .45, .40, 9mm or .357 and put them down for the count. Hopefully.

 

[Charleo0192]

so if i was to hit the guy in the chest a few times with a .22 it wouldnt put him down?

 

[303Jeff]

You tell me. If you are in a life or death situation what would you rather have? Something that will do the job or something that might do the job? I won't say the .22 can't kill, because we see stories of it fairly frequently. What I'm saying is that for my personal use I'm going to have the biggest gun in the house next to my bed.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

There have been a number of news stories lately about the 22 LR for self defense, one onvolved an elderly lady in Iowa (?), stopped a home invader with one shot.
Jeff Cooper: "First Rule of Gunfighting-Have a Gun."
Elmer Keith-responding to a reader asking about what Elmer considred a "Mouse Gun", he replied that it wasn't what he would choose but "it sure beats yours fists."

 

[redbullitt]

We all know its not the best, im sure he knows that. I would sure take it over my fists and harsh language. Seriously consider something heavier for a HD weapon (9mm, 38, 20 gauge etc.) , but since I don't know your situation, that may not be an option.

I like my ruger pistol very well. It is accurate and pretty reliable (as reliable as rimfire can be). I have run a couple 22 revolvers that held 9 or so shots that would be good as well. If you go wheel gun, then reliability of ammo is less of a concern.

 

[Rail Driver]

I don't know about others, but my opinion is that a .22LR is good for a very up close and personal situation... When the BG has you down on the ground you stick it under his ribs and let er rip. It's not an across the room round, that's what your sidearm or long gun is for.

 

[wow6599]

I'll play

If I had to use a .22 pistol for SD/HD it would be my Ruger MK I with Federal Auto Match. I wouldn't trust any HP .22 rds, just me though.

 

[Charleo0192]

I probably should look into getting a HD gun, but a .22 for now will do. Hopefully it will deter and/or do the job. I wont worry too much about something bad happening even though thats not the best mindset.

 

[303Jeff]

Obviously the point's been made that it's better than harsh language. If you don't really have any choice then yeah it's the best option, that's a no-brainer. Not ideal though. But if you DO have a better option then there's no question, go heavy.

I use a 5.56 rifle with a red dot sight. Not as ideal as a handgun in terms of handling in a home in the middle of the night with adrenaline pounding through your veins, but it's currently my only option. Do your best, keep your wits about you, and shoot straight. And may God have mercy on whatever idiot broke into your home in the first place.

 

[Leanwolf]

I know of two women who saved their lives using .22 revolvers. Both assailants DOA.

One woman's handgun (belonged to her dead husband) was an almost never fired S&W 18, and the other woman's was literally a cheapo "Saturday Night Special" that hadn't been fired in many years.

Afterall, five or six or ten rounds of .22 LR in a bad guy's neck and face might not kill him... but they'll sure as the world make him think very seriously about taking up a different profession!

My preference is a .45 ACP: my wife's is a revolver with .38 +P H.Ps. But if a .22 LR is all one has, used well with determination, it'll do.

L.W.

 

[RDCL]

By choice no, but if it was all you had......it'd be better than a ball bat......just keep that ball bat handy though!

Russ

 

[svaz]

.22LR ammo is cheap and hours of practice is easy on the hands, ears, and gun. Being proficient w/ a .22 beats the hell out of a .45 you can't operate in the dead of night because you've forgotten how to since the last time you picked it up was a couple of years ago.

Use the hottest ammo your .22 will reliably fire. I have CCI Minimags in my Bersa and the fireball in a darkened room is impressive. If the lead doesn't hit them (and it's unlikely that it won't), the thought of Zeus pitching lightning bolts at them just might.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

A .22lr will kill someone with well placed shots. They may well kill you and/or your family in the meantime before they die though. It's still better than a golf club.

If I had to use a .22 for HD this would probably be my top choice

 

[ms6852]

The problem that most readers have with using a 22 long rifle bullet is not so much as the stopping power of this caliber against the perp but more of a reliability factor. Most every one knows that the rimfire is a very deadly round for its size, but there are to many failure to fire with rimfire bullets. If you are already under extreme duress because someone has broken into your house and you are awaken suddenly, or someone has attacked you without provocation, do YOU want your first chance that you get to shoot your weapon in self defense to have a failure to fire because the rimfire casing did not discharge? Now you have to clear your weapon and fire again while someone is slicing and dicing you best case scenario, or someone is shooting at you. You now shoot this individual with a caliber that is a deadly caliber but in the meantime it could take several minutes for the person to bleed out if your shot happens to hit an artery. A cns shot is the only shot that may stop him on his tracks. I'm retired military and have seen in Africa, and the middle east that some of the guys that are high on drugs you can empty a magazine whether it's 5.56, 7.62, or 45 cal, or 9mm into them and they still keep coming. You must decide what is best for you and how capable you are in defending your self. Your better off shooting a 22lr if you are accurate with that pistol and hitting the perp with the 22 than using a 454 casull and missing the perp because of recoil. The pucker factor is something most people never experience or expect and it is not easy to control you can actually miss from two feet away. Unless your are cool under this conditions regardless of the training you will never be as prepared as you think you might be.

 

[Rail Driver]

I'd like one of those in .45 while you're at it

Really, is that a thompson .22? I bet on full auto loaded with minimags or stingers it'd be a beast.

 

[doc2rn]

Gotta love the American 180

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Well if it is all you got then lock the doors and keep it Clean.

 

[deputy tom]

Think about it.If you were shot in the eyes/face with a .22 would you continue to do wrong deeds? I'd think not.YMMV.tom.

 

[Robert Wilson]

It seems to me that one of the statistics is that "the presence of a gun is usually enough to end the fight" or something like that. So of course a .22 would be as good for that as anything else.

If I actually had to shoot someone to stop a fight, I'd much prefer something besides the .22 -- and like everyone else, would prefer the .22 over my fists.

Oh, and member "ms6852" needs to buy some .22 not made by Remington.

 

[GLOOB]

One other problem with .22 pistols:

Most of them are not designed to be carried with a round chambered. Many have only a simple trigger/sear-block manual safety.

 

[303Jeff]

Just remember that SD situations aren't necessarily "shoot him and he's down," no matter what the situation. People on drugs, psychotics, and people in a panic (including victims) sometimes don't even realize they're shot. With these people, their body basically needs to stop functioning in order for them to stop moving/attacking/whatever. Something bigger with more energy is going to stop them quicker. Not necessarily instantly, but quicker.

 

[Hanzo581]

I'm imagining if I am shooting to defend my life shot placement will be supremely tough, so I'll stick with my .45, "misses" will hurt a helluva lot more.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

.22 is better than nothing at all, or for a person who cannot handle anything more powerful due to physical limitations. I would not want to stand in front of someone with a fast-firing pistol or especially a carbine. It will kill, of course, but our objective is to stop the attacker. And while shot placement is paramount, of course, you can place your shot perfectly but have the bullet fail to penetrate deeply enough, slowed down by heavy clothing, or deflected off course. Unless the .22 is all you have or can handle, I urge a larger caliber, minimum 9mm Luger or .38 Special. A shotgun of at least 20 gauge, even more.