Best way to employ a .22mag minirevolver for SD

[B yond]

This might stir up some interesting conversation:

When I can't carry anything bigger, I carry my NAA .22 magnum minirevolver, loaded with 5 CCI TNT rounds. Point-shooting (my sights need some work) I can hit a paper plate at 15 yards quickly and consistently. If I ever get around to filing down the front sight I may be able to pull off aimed shots at a greater distance.

Here's the question:

What would be the best way(s) to employ this weapon in a SD situation? Looking for the best way(s) to stop an attacker, not necessarily to kill one.

Get as close to the target as possible and try for a contact shot to the head/neck/spine/heart/pelvis/insert-body-part-or-organ-here?

Spray all 5 rounds while fleeing?

Draw cowboy style and fan the hammer while reciting Clint Eastwood and John Wayne quotes?

 

[CWL]

Get as close to the target as possible and try for a point-blank shot to the head/neck/spine/heart/pelvis/insert-body-part-or-organ-here?

If you ever need to defend yourself from an assault, your goal would be to first put distance between you and BG(s), not get closer to your "target".

That little gun + trigger +sights shorty barrel, you won't have time for fancy aimed shots. COM will be best, headshots are going to be difficult when the BG will be moving.

 

[CZ223]

the best thing to do would be....

Trade it in and buy a Kel-Tec or an LCP. I carry my LCP in my pocket all day and forget that it is there. Seriously though, those are pretty hard to shoot well under the best circumstances. Also, much like a derringer, there is a question of safety when it comes to cocking the gun under stress. If you have to shoot someone with it though, I think the CIA probaly has the right idea. Place the muzzle at the base of the skull and fire slightly upwards. Just kidding. Honestly, much like the derringer, which I love, I would not carry one for self defence.

 

[David E]

What would be the best way(s) to employ this weapon in a SD situation? Looking for the best way(s) to stop an attacker, not necessarily to kill one.

The best way is from behind, sticking the muzzle as deep into his ear as it'll go.

The resulting shot should render him deaf, allowing you a chance to run away before he gets real mad....

 

[David E]

I can hit a paper plate at 15 yards quickly and consistently.

Compared to what?

You could be quicker with an LCP or Kel-Tec, as well as more consistent.

There is no reason whatsoever to carry a mini-revolver as an only gun when there are so many better choices available.

 

[Dogbite]

First, as far as fleeing, always leave if you can. Period. Now, if you cant leave, and are in fear for your life, I would aim for the upper chest area. Triangle between two nipples and the chin, otherwise known as the "snipers triangle". I would always be shooting to stop the threat, not to kill the person. Obviously, its better to have anything bigger, but you said Naa revolver. Oh yeah, if you get really close, your going to be in a hand to hand fight/grappling match. Someone might take that revolver away and use it on you as well.

 

[B yond]

You could be quicker with an LCP or Kel-Tec, as well as more consistent.

There is no reason whatsoever to carry a mini-revolver as an only gun when there are so many better choices available.

That first statement is probably true. The second is not. The state I live in makes it difficult to obtain most of those 'better choices,' which is why I asked about this one.

The question was about how to best use this gun, not which guns would be better. :banghead:

 

[B yond]

I can hit a paper plate at 15 yards quickly and consistently.

Compared to what?

Not compared to anything. When I practice, my TTFS with this gun feels just a *bit* longer than with my larger CCWs, which I think is pretty quick. I'm not a competitive shooter (other than friendly plinking), and I don't use a timer. I don't really care to either.

 

[RyanM]

Where do you live? And what, precisely, are the conditions that sometimes keep you from carrying anything bigger? I've gone through a number of small guns before getting a Kahr MK40. It's the smallest, and smallest caliber, handgun I own now. It fits in a pocket, and only needs a good belt.

 

[B yond]

Where do you live? And what, precisely, are the conditions that sometimes keep you from carrying anything bigger?

I live in California, where the Kel-Tec and LCP are not approved for sale by FFLs to the public. I really can't get into the conditions that sometimes keep me from carrying anything bigger. If I could always carry a bigger weapon I would, but this is what I have and is occasionally the only one I can carry. I'm just looking for constructive conversation about maximizing its effectiveness.

 

[David E]

The question was about how to best use this gun, not which guns would be better.

Which I answered in my first post....:banghead:

 

[B yond]

I realize that David E, and I appreciated the input.

I just wish that one time, just once, a thread asking a question about a particular gun wouldn't turn into a thread about all the other guns that would do the same job better.

It's a THR pet peeve of mine.

 

[RyanM]

I live in California, where the Kel-Tec and LCP are not approved for sale by FFLs to the public.

Ah, I was thinking of scarcity. I should remember not to take my rights for granted.

Well, having carried an NAA Mini before, I'd recommend a Black Widow style grip, the large rubber one with 2 finger grooves. The grooves didn't fit me at all, but it was simple to grind down the middle ridge, leaving me with a perfectly functional oversized grip. Those make the gun considerably more "shootable."

Actually, if you can get a Black Widow, that would be a good bet. Those have real sights, in addition to the larger grip.

Have you chronoed the CCI TNTs? Winchester Super X ammo consistently chronoed higher than any of the other 40 gr loads, according to NAA's testing, but they didn't try CCI TNT.

Other than that, practice a lot. Your tactics shouldn't change a whole lot when your gun does. Shoot early, shoot often, break contact as soon as feasible, and don't expect one shot to stop the threat, even if you're using a .50 BMG.

 

[David E]

When I practice, my TTFS (Time To First Shot) with this gun feels just a *bit* longer than with my larger CCWs, which I think is pretty quick. I'm not a competitive shooter and I don't use a timer. I don't really care to either.

Y'see, that's the thing. EVERYONE online that owns a gun thinks they're a great shot with a fast draw because it "feels" fast......but they're probably wrong.

A shot-timer is a valuable learning tool, regardless of any competition shooting pursuits. It reveals cold, hard facts, separate and apart from how it "feels," giving you the clues you need to improve your skill.

 

[David E]

I'm going to Second Ryan's suggestion about a larger grip. You need to be able to hold onto the thing.

Further, I'd practice "slip-shooting," where you keep the trigger depressed while cocking the hammer with the left thumb. (right handed shooter) You can get pretty fast and accurate with this, once you get it down.

Target should be the neck and face, making a triangle from neck to eyeballs.

Practice drawing, cocking and shooting while taking a step to the left, and shooting the other 4 while moving. Also, alternate between two, maybe three targets, shooting all of them once before shooting them a second time. For example, 2-3 IPSC targets at 2, 3 and 4 yds (center target is the 2yd one, requiring the first shot)

 

[B yond]

Well, having carried an NAA Mini before, I'd recommend a Black Widow style grip, the large rubber one with 2 finger grooves. The grooves didn't fit me at all, but it was simple to grind down the middle ridge, leaving me with a perfectly functional oversized grip. Those make the gun considerably more "shootable."

Thanks. I was actually looking at those grips this morning and trying to talk myself out of ordering them. I think I'm going to get them now.

 

[MCgunner]

If you can "point shoot" that thing at 15 yards and hit anything, you are my new god of the firearm. You just took Jerry Miculek's place. I have the sights on my mini regulated pretty close and IF I have time and light enough to use 'em, I can hit pretty impressive right out to 15-20 yards, a paper plate even to 25 yards. BUT, point shoot it? Nah, not me, I ain't that good and my gun has the holster grip, full grip size.

I see the mini as last ditch when my 11 round Kel Tec 9 and a reload run out of ammo. By then, I hope I'm at least behind cover and maybe have 911 on the phone.

 

[B yond]

If you can "point shoot" that thing at 15 yards and hit anything, you are my new god of the firearm.

Really? Thanks. I didn't think it was anything special.

point shoot it? Nah, not me, I ain't that good and my gun has the holster grip, full grip size.

I wonder if the holster grip might be the problem? I still have the original wooden bird's head grip on mine, although I'm thinking about getting an oversized grip. I can only get my middle finger around the grip, but it's always in the same spot and fits well enough that I don't lose my grip during recoil. I found that I am better off point shooting vs. trying to use the sights until I get a chance to file the front blade down quite a bit.

 

[David E]

Point-shooting, I can hit a paper plate at 15 yards quickly and consistently.

Um, I realize you don't have a shot-timer, but do you have a tape measure? And a witness or two?

That'd be great....

 

[B yond]

Um, I realize you don't have a shot-timer, but do you have a tape measure? And a witness or two?

That'd be great....

You've got to be kidding! A paper plate at 15 yards is not a great accomplishment. To qualify for CCW in my location you must be able to keep inside the 8 ring on a silhouette target at 25 yards with each weapon listed on your permit!

I wasn't bragging when I made the statement that I consistently hit a paper plate at 15 yards. That's where I practice with this weapon and what I feel my effective range is. I could probably go farther if my sights were worth a d@mn.

As for proving it; no. It has nothing to do with this thread except to establish my effective range with the weapon.

 

[David E]

Claiming to be able to point shoot and hit a paper plate @ 15 YARDS (45 feet) quickly and consistently with a mini-revolver brings one's credibility into question.

But as I said, everyone on the internet is good with a gun......sometimes, b yond belief.

 

[AKElroy]

Quote:
If you can "point shoot" that thing at 15 yards and hit anything, you are my new god of the firearm.

Really? Thanks. I didn't think it was anything special.

OK, I am not going to touch any of the glaring tactical issues raised by your posts, including the claim above that I find inconsistent with my experience. By 15 yards, I assume we are talking 45 feet. I shoot A LOT, and while I am not Doug Koenig, I can hold my own. My mini would not hold a 2 FOOT group at 15 yards if I set it in concrete. Assuming though you have this miracle skill, it is fairly easy to "toggle" this gun for a very quick emptying. Hold the STANDARD grip with the weak-side thumb & forefinger tightly. With the strong hand, toggle the hammer with the thumb & the trigger with the index finger in a single, repeated rocking back & forth motion. You can empty this little gun in one or two seconds with practice.

 

[B yond]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSj8M_YMQpU

This guy shoots a 3" group at what he claims is 50 yards. Why is it so hard to believe I can hit a paper plate at 15? Is it because I'm point shooting? The gun points very naturally for me.

Maybe instead of suggesting that I'm a liar because you don't get similar results, y'all should consider that you might have a defective weapon, or might not be doing it right.

This really is getting off topic. This is the "Strategies & Tactics" forum and not the "You Can't Possibly Shoot Better Than Me" forum, right? Please, for the sake of this thread, just pretend you believe me and my effective range really is 15 yards.

 

[David E]

Sounds like there's a YouTube video waiting to be made with your name on it..........

 

[B yond]

Sounds like there's a YouTube video waiting to be made with your name on it..........

I have nothing to prove, and don't think 15 yards is impressive.