.22 multi-purpose handgun

[RedlegRick]

And the answer would be different with regard to effective caliber? How?

Simple. The OP's request was for suggestions as to a .22 pistol to handle three tasks. I'm in full agreement that twenty-two long rifle is a poor choice for a defensive round, but my answer was strictly to the conditions given. There have been many excellent suggestions made for alternatives, but if that is the choice the original poster wishes to make, I'm merely offering some insight I have, as have yourself and others.

In an ideal world, OP should get a high cap wonder nine or custom built 1911, with a fully-decked out AR and all the trimmings, not to mention a 12 gauge pump with a race slicked action, but we're not in that perfect world.
I suspect we're somewhere where I was thirty or so years ago, with only X amount of dollars to spend and wanting something to handle as many tasks as possible. I could be wrong, but that's the impression I got from the initial query here.

 

[BLB68]

I think the OP has gotten a lot of replies with specific suggestions, so I'm going to go more general. Here is a link to 22Plinkster's YouTube channel. He has a lot of reviews of various 22 handguns, and I've found him to be pretty thorough and informative in said reviews:

https://www.youtube.com/user/22plinkster

With regards to ammunition for self defense purposes, I'd suggest CCI Mini Mags. Go for the solids instead of the hollow points.

 

[Kaybee]

Here’s a thought a little outside the box for a do it all .22. If your sticking with .22's, a step up from .22lr is .22wmr. It has a little more punch for dealing with larger critters like racoons, and the Keltc PMR-30 has a 30 round magazine which is a lot of firepower for defense. Also, for plinking that gun is A+.

Its still rimfire though, so it still has the inherent reliability issues that others already warned about.

 

[2ndtimer]

Then there is this multipurpose .22 handgun:
Target shooting
Varmints
Defense
Making other people on the forum jealous

 

[bannockburn]

2ndtimer

Sweet! Don't see many Diamondbacks in .22 with a six inch barrel!

 

[Deus Machina]

Making other people on the forum jealous

That's worth like three spots on that list.

 

[aarondhgraham]

Earlier on in this thread I suggested a 4.5" barrel Ruger SR-22,,,
Mainly because it has a DA/SA action with external hammer and de-cocker.

But there's another reason as well,,,
It has second strike capability.

If you do have a dud round just pull the trigger again.

I often plink with cheap bulk Remington ammo and do get some dud rounds,,,
But I can't remember a round not firing on the second hammer pull.

If this is a concern though,,,
Use reliable CCI Mini Mag ammo,,,
And switch to a revolver like the Rossi Plinker.



It's a DA/SA with 8-round capacity,,,
Use good reliable CCI Mini Mag ammo,,,
But if you do get a dud just pull the trigger again.

Just tossing that out there.

Aarond

P.S. I ain't jealous at all,,,

 

[Bill B.]

Then there is this multipurpose .22 handgun:
Target shooting
Varmints
Defense
Making other people on the forum jealous
View attachment 795940

The best part is they still can be had new in the box sometimes for $2000!

 

[mnrivrat]

Hard to beat a Ruger MK - series for accuracy and reliability . It's not the only choice, but when all is considered it is very possible the best choice in my opinion.

 

[Mo's]

I have a Ruger sr22 4.5"...accurate, reliable and fun to shoot.
I couldn't ask for anything more.

 

[mdauben]

I have never owned/trainee on a handgun but am interested in one for target shooting, very close range varmints and last protection. Is it reasonable to consider one gun for all three purposes?

I'm reluctant about recommending a .22LR for self defense. Its certainly better than a baseball bat next to your bed, but would not be my second or third choice, let alone my first, for self defense.

That said, if you absolutely need or want to limit yourself to a single, .22LR handgun for all purposes, I'd go with a 4-inch S&W 617 10-Shot revolver. One of the reasons I'm reluctant to recommend .22LR for self defense is that rim-fires are not quite a reliable in semi-auto pistols as center-fire cartridges. The S&W revolver bypasses that problem, but still gives you ten shots.

 

[John Joseph]

I have never owned/trainee on a handgun but am interested in one for target shooting, very close range varmints and last protection. Is it reasonable to consider one gun for all three purposes?

Yes it is. People have been doing this for years, ever since the Civil War when S&W introduce it's Model No. 1.
What type of target shooting are you interested in? Some courses of fire will favor one action or barrel length over others.
Varmints should be no problem although hunting with any handgun takes considerable practice if you want humane kills.
The threat of armed resistance isn't to be dismissed even thought the .22 wouldn't be anyone's first choice for the task. No attacker is going to stand there and let you shoot them with a .22 or any other caliber. Bullet placement is critical but if you're a serious target shooter and handgun hunter then accuracy should be your forte.

 

[jstert]

ruger sr22: handy, reliable, small enough to ccw, easy takedown, fast ten round mag dump to center mass is effective persuader.
ruger single six 22lr/wmr: foolproof, built like a brick outhouse, used are decent values, 22wmr offers more oomph for protection.
heritage roughrider 22lr/wmr. cheaper okay version of the single six.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Yes it is. People have been doing this for years, ever since the Civil War when S&W introduce it's Model No. 1.

Mark Twain had one, and I think his evaluation of it was spot on: "I was armed to the teeth with a pitiful little Smith and Wesson 7-shooter that shot a ball the size of a homeopathic pill. It took all seven to make a dose for an adult."

 

[John Joseph]

Mark Twain had one, and I think his evaluation of it was spot on: "I was armed to the teeth with a pitiful little Smith and Wesson 7-shooter that shot a ball the size of a homeopathic pill. It took all seven to make a dose for an adult."

The No.1 shot black powder .22 shorts. The Mossad, CIA, and the mob have employed .22lr pistols in the past. A magazine of .22 LRs at close range to center of mass is formidable, even without the benefit of Mossad training.
An ideal SD round? No, not even close, but that's not what the OP was asking about, but a .22LR would be more prudent than not having a firearm at all.
Just putting up an unexpected armed response will deter many thugs.
However if they're operating under PCP or meth, no.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

T
An ideal SD round? No, not even close, but that's not what the OP was asking about, but a .22LR would be more prudent than not having a firearm at all.

In logic that is called the Fallacy of Limited Alternatives. It asks other people to accept that life is all about either-or alternatives. And that of course is false -- you are NOT forced to choose between carrying a .22 and carrying nothing at all.

 

[Mike OTDP]

You'll get better reliability out of a .22 if you feed it match ammo. Far better than the discount bulk ammo.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

A very nice all around 22... S&W 617 4"

 

[Armored farmer]

Its an ugly setup, but a fun shooter with the reflex sight. Pretty quick wsu to ring all my gongs

 

[John Joseph]

In logic that is called the Fallacy of Limited Alternatives. It asks other people to accept that life is all about either-or alternatives. And that of course is false -- you are NOT forced to choose between carrying a .22 and carrying nothing at all.

The OP didn't mention anything about carrying, but rather the usefulness of one firearm for multiple activities, one among them being for protection. In logic your response is called an Asymmetrical Argument. It asks other people to accept that parts of the question are of no import, and that your view is paramount.
IIRC, the OP asks if a .22 can satisfy his needs if he were to possess a single handgun. Protection was last on the OP's list while the other uses are certainly those which a .22 can excel if by hunting one is limited to small game.
Either that, or I didn't understand the OP's question correctly.
If this is will be the OP's first firearm, then starting with .22 target pistol has a great deal of merit as a learning tool.

 

[JFrame]

At one time, in my earlier days, the S&W 63 kit gun (4" barrel, pictured above) and a .38 snubbie were my only handguns for SD/HD.

Thank goodness neither was ever needed for such a purpose -- but in a pinch, I would certainly have been glad that I had them. And all these decades later, I still rate that 63 as one of the few pieces with which I would have the most difficulty parting.

 

[Charliefrank]

For years I owned a Ruger single six convertible. I shot a slew of rabbit an squirrels with it. With the ability to swap cylinders to the 22 magnum it's a little better for filling the self defense role. Right now I've got a Ruger mk111, 22/45. I'm very happy with the accuracy and reliability of this pistol and plan on taking it squirrel hunting. Either one of these would fit the bill.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

The OP didn't mention anything about carrying, but rather the usefulness of one firearm for multiple activities,

The original post:
"I have never owned/trainee on a handgun but am interested in one for target shooting, very close range varmints and last protection. Is it reasonable to consider one gun for all three purposes?"

If you are going to use a gun for protection, you have to have it with you.

If this is will be the OP's first firearm, then starting with .22 target pistol has a great deal of merit as a learning tool.

I don't argue with that -- but when a beginner asks about a .22 for protection, we do him a dis-service to suggest that it would be adequate.

 

[CaptHank]

I had to add my "multi-purpose" to the mix. Mk III, 22/45 with add-ons.

 

[RedlegRick]

I had to add my "multi-purpose" to the mix. Mk III, 22/45 with add-ons.

View attachment 799760

Where's the bayonet? Nice pistol, BTW.