i am not saying that a 22lr handgun is “the” best choice. i am saying that it is a decent choice under the circumstances that i described. if you are a cop, soldier, hunter, north country guide or rub up against the criminal justice world by ignorance, design or habit, then a 22lr handgun isn’t for you. if you on thr you are likely a gun guy. and if you have the money & physical ability to ramp up the power level, then a range of centerfire handguns is rightfully on your menu. what if you are, say, a middleaged suburban lady who discovered that she likes and is good with a keltec p17? do you tell her to move on asap or encourage her to now become proficient with the p17? and if her p17 later becomes her necessary gateway to something bigger, isn’t that nice too?
by definition a threatened civilian’s first task is to be out of danger, which can, but does not necessarily require, killing the criminal. please ask a prosecutor if you believe otherwise. i am over the hill now but uncle sam taught me in 1972 that when ambushed my immediate goal is to get off the x. most criminals attack targets of opportunity who are perceived to be weak. if i can confidently turn the tables by putting some well placed, immediately lethal or not, minimags into a surprised bad guy’s guts i have that chance to egress. indeed hitting with “better” centerfire rounds gives me way more of a chance but only if i have spent greater time, money and effort to become proficient enough to hit. missing with any round helps nothing.
we all mostly need a car in america. not everyone who lives in snow country drives a four wheel drive suv. some folks who live far from snow, or sand, drive a 4wd. not everyone who drives a 4wd knows how to do so. regardless of what you drive, being smart, practiced, and knowing both your limits and the environment in which you drive, counts for more, i wager. analogous to a handgun, i wager too.
well, this is my view. sorry to beat a dead horse. cheers and respect to all.