22LR EDC self-defense handgun?

[film495]

The thing is, I considered including my Mark IV Target, which is basically a Standard. However, for carry they are too big. Yes, for home defense if someone was limited to a .22 handgun, not rifle, for sure a larger .22 with a 5.5 inch barrel (such as my Mark IV) would be more effective. There's a big difference between a 5.5 inch barrel and let's say a 2 inch barrel in a Ruger LCR revolver in .22. But, those Standards and Mark IV Targets are too big to carry unless a large OWB holster.

I like a shoulder holster and a fluffy lightweight nylon jacket.

 

[trackskippy]

Ill second or third the Glock 44's. I have two and they have been very reliable. As far as gear too, most things gear wise that works with a Glock 19, holsters, mag carriers, etc, works with the 44.

At this point, Ill take an auto thats been vetted over a revolver, as I find Ive had more issues with misfires with the revolvers than the autos and they seem to be a bit more finicky in that respect if they arent kept clean, especially the chambers.

The autos are susceptible to crud too, and need to be kept clean as well, but they seem to not be as prone to the misfire thing.

The autos also generally carry more ammo.

 

[Autodidactic]

I like a shoulder holster and a fluffy lightweight nylon jacket.

Have you carried a standard? I noticed online one is 4.5 inches, so that may sneak in for carry. My 5.5 inch full sized Mark Iv is too big, and it's reasonably heavy. It's all metal.

 

[film495]

Have you carried a standard? I noticed online one is 4.5 inches, so that may sneak in for carry. My 5.5 inch full sized Mark Iv is too big, and it's reasonably heavy. It's all metal.

I haven't, but I recall messing with it once with my shoulder holster and it seemed to fit fine. Holster I got for a S&W Model 10 4" barrel. My Ruger also has a 4" barrel I believe, adjusted the straps and seemed fine. I set up under my left arm, for a right handed cross draw, so - whatever barrel is pointed directly down, maybe a bit backward. I think anything longer would bug me.

I'm just saying if I had to, carry a .22 I'd go out of my way to carry one with a longer barrel. Although, now that I think of it, I do carry an NAA Mini in the summer sometimes with .22 MAG, and I went with the MAG because the barrel is very short, so - some of it becomes a toss up, can't get everything and something has to bend somewhere, convenience vs. capabilty, just be able to shoot OK, be safe, and make sure the equipment works is my take.

 

[Autodidactic]

I haven't, but I recall messing with it once with my shoulder holster and it seemed to fit fine. Holster I got for a S&W Model 10 4" barrel. My Ruger also has a 4" barrel I believe, adjusted the straps and seemed fine. I set up under my left arm, for a right handed cross draw, so - whatever barrel is pointed directly down, maybe a bit backward. I think anything longer would bug me.

I'm just saying if I had to, carry a .22 I'd go out of my way to carry one with a longer barrel. Although, now that I think of it, I do carry an NAA Mini in the summer sometimes with .22 MAG, and I went with the MAG because the barrel is very short, so - some of it becomes a toss up, can't get everything and something has to bend somewhere, convenience vs. capabilty, just be able to shoot OK, be safe, and make sure the equipment works is my take.

4 inch is carryable, like many full sized guns people carry. I agree barrel length matters. The Mark IV with 5.5 inch barrels versus pocket pistols with 2 inch shows almost double the kinetic energy for similar rounds. Even 4 inches versus 2 will show a difference.

 

[Autodidactic]

I’d like to get a .22 LCR revolver, but can’t justify a $550 .22 revolver right now. Used if I see a killer deal? One day. I’d carry one occasionally if I had it or as a kit gun.

I just bought a Beretta Bobcat and I’ll be a heretic and carry it occasionally.

 

[12Bravo20]

I have a Glock G44 that has been very reliable with over 20,000 rounds fired. That being said, it would not be my personal choice for a SD pistol against anything other than small mammals and snakes. None of my rimfire pistols or revolvers would be a first or second choice for SD unless that is all I could handle.

If I had to go with either 22LR or 22WMR then I would choose the Kel-Tec CP33 or PMR30. The CP33 holds 33 rounds of 22LR while the PMR30 hold 30 rounds of 22WMR. I own both and they have been reliable when shooting 40 grain ammo in both.

If you can conceal a full sized 199 then you can conceal teh CP33 or PMR30. While the grips are shaped differently all three are close to the same overall dimensions when it comes to concealing them. I know an older gentleman that carries a PMR30 for his daily EDC pistol.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have a Kel Tec CP33. I turned it into a “cheek pistol”, but it’s easy to remove the red dot and rail covers. I would not concealed carry it unless I absolutely had to. Though I have no way of doing it short of a lanyard draped over my neck.


I have a Glock 44. Mine isn’t one like everyone brags about that eats everything. This one likes the finer things in life, like CCI Stingers, Velocitors and Mini Mags. It is 100% reliable with those.


Last but definitely not least is my S&W model 63. It’s been 100% reliable though not as accurate as the Glock in Double Action.


If I had to choose it would depend on what I am wearing. Heavier clothes with a jacket or over shirt, the Glock 44. Lighter attire, the S&W 63.
Weight wise the Glock is the winner. It’s lighter than the 63. If it came down to carrying the 63 a lot the Monogrip would go away and I would go with a boot grip or service panels and a BK adapter.

 

[3Crows]

Ruger LCR in 22 Long Rifle or 22 Magnum. The later with the newer self defense Hornady or Federal (?) ammo. Revolver because if one is a squib the next will go bang. And an auto pistol will just sit there.

 

[dodo bird]

Easy. A full auto pistol made in Mexico. The Trejo
https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2020/07/27/trejo-model-1/

 

[wcwhitey]

I don’t have a bunch of experience with .22 LR in a “self defense” platform. I have a nice Rossi 511 4” Kit Gun, a High Standard Citation and a Beretta 950. All good guns, none would be my choice. I would if I had to pick the most reliable, accurate and highest capacity pistol that is packable. Not sure what that is.

 

[Tallball]

Charter Arms 22lr snub. I carry snubs most of the time anyway.

For those who mentioned it: I think the barrel on my Ruger Standard is 4". It's a fabulous shooter and could be carried OWB.

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I'd choose an S&W model 43C, .22 LR, 8-shot revolver. With .22 LR revolvers, misfires are cleared by just pulling the trigger again.

I'd never choose a semi-auto because .22 failure to feed stoppages can be difficult and time consuming to clear due to the long & skinny shape of the cartridge combined with the soft lead bullet. "Tap/rack" usually doesn't work because the extractor hasn't engaged the case rim when a failure to feed occurs; therefore "tap/rack" usually causes a doublefeed.

Beretta .22s don't have an extractor and when a misfire is occurs the firing pin swages the rim to the breech, requiring a tool to clear the misfired cartridge from the chamber.

 

[Terry G]

I wonder how many people ARE carrying .22's for self defense? When you see self defense type .22 LR ammunition sold by just about every manufacturer it has to make you wonder. I know at least three that use a Ruger 10/22 for home protection and carry .22 handguns also. I bought an old style Taurus PT22 for my Wife, but dropped the whole idea after seeing the lack of penetration with even CCI HV ammunition. LCP in .380 is much, much better in a little gun.

 

[Autodidactic]

I wonder how many people ARE carrying .22's for self defense? When you see self defense type .22 LR ammunition sold by just about every manufacturer it has to make you wonder. I know at least three that use a Ruger 10/22 for home protection and carry .22 handguns also. I bought an old style Taurus PT22 for my Wife, but dropped the whole idea after seeing the lack of penetration with even CCI HV ammunition. LCP in .380 is much, much better in a little gun.

Well, that's what they say about how common .22 shootings are, and deaths, precisely because it's one of the most common calibers/guns. The data would suggest that a lot of people are using them in shootings, whether legitimate self defense or not.

 

[LeftyRed]

Carry a 43c or 351c daily. No problems, worries, or lost sleep here.

 

[trackskippy]

Ruger LCR in 22 Long Rifle or 22 Magnum. The later with the newer self defense Hornady or Federal (?) ammo. Revolver because if one is a squib the next will go bang. And an auto pistol will just sit there.

Misfire or squib? Misfires are doable, squibs are bad, for you and the gun.

At least with the autos, they usually tell you if its a squib, and if youre paying attention, you wont do something stupid. Misfires are easily and quickly cleared, if youre well practiced.

 

[Rex in OTZ]

If all you were allowed to carry was a 22lr, so you had to pick a 22lr handgun to EDC for self defense, what one handgun would you choose to carry. I ask because I seen a thread on another forum where a member had no other option but to carry a 22lr because of health reasons, so I am wondering what 22lr handguns you all would carry and trust the most to defend your life with.

(This is purely a hypothetical question not meant to be over analyzed.)

.22Lr or .22Mag?



9 shot transfer bar revolver.

 

[3Crows]

Misfire or squib? Misfires are doable, squibs are bad, for you and the gun.

At least with the autos, they usually tell you if its a squib, and if youre paying attention, you wont do something stupid. Misfires are easily and quickly cleared, if youre well practiced.

I meant FTF. Thank you for the correction sincerely. You are right, I did not say what I meant.

 

[ms6852]

I already carry a 686 .357, I would probably carry the S&W 617 with 10 round capacity that I use to practice double action with. The revolver would be my first choice because it will shoot anything, even the 60 gr SSS rounds. You never have to worry about cycling the action or a misfire, just squeeze the trigger again.

 

[Pistolay]

I've owned a P938-22, SR22 and currently own an LCP II .22lr. None of them were/are 100% reliable. If I had to carry .22lr, (or any rimfire) it would be a revolver, probably an LCRx with the 3" barrel and the short Hogue grip rather than the one that comes with it. I used to have one, and it was fun to shoot. If it's just about physical limitations though, I'd probably go with a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22WMR. It is the only carry size revolver I'm aware of in that caliber that holds 8 rounds.

 

[12Bravo20]

I'd probably go with a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22WMR. It is the only carry size revolver I'm aware of in that caliber that holds 8 rounds.

The Taurus 942 is available in 22LR AND 22WMR. Both hold 8 rounds. And they are available with either 2" or 3" barrels. I have a 2" 942 in 22lr that has been good to go.

As far a new production revolvers go, I'll take the Taurus 942 over the Charter Arms Pathfinder.

 

[Buzznrose]

My G44…mine also runs on all ammo that I’ve tried so far.

 

[Buzznrose]

Just saw this….wow!

 

[Pistolay]

The Taurus 942 is available in 22LR AND 22WMR. Both hold 8 rounds. And they are available with either 2" or 3" barrels. I have a 2" 942 in 22lr that has been good to go.

As far a new production revolvers go, I'll take the Taurus 942 over the Charter Arms Pathfinder.

That's right. I forgot about the Taurus 942. I'd probably go with the Charter Arms though. It's close to a quarter pound lighter, and while Taurus revolvers seem to be decently regarded, all the horror stories I've seen about their customer service really give me pause. With inexpensive guns, good CS is an important consideration for me. I've seen quite a few accounts of Taurus customers waiting months to get their guns back. OTOH, I have experience with Charter Arms customer service, and they're really good and pretty fast.