CCWing a .22LR by choice?

[Carl Levitian]

Growing up, I saw my father carry his old Colt woodsman try often on family hikes and picnics, and when we went fishing along the river. It was one of those old pre-war Colts, nice flat trim little gun. It was out of sight under the old khaki shirt he wore in warm weather or the wool rich short jack in cold weather. It was the only gun he owned, and he was a crack shot with it.

My better half is very partial to her 3 inch S&W 317. She shoots it pretty good, enough that I'd never want her mad at me.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Water-Man
How reliable are those NAA revolvers?

They're dead nuts reliable but they are also single action. Slow follow-up and not made for anyone with large hands (like bigger than a medium glove size). Also, from a 1 1/8 barrel, the bullet carries less energy than a 50gr 25ACP.

 

[Brink]

They're dead nuts reliable but they are also single action. Slow follow-up and not made for anyone with large hands (like bigger than a medium glove size). Also, from a 1 1/8 barrel, the bullet carries less energy than a 50gr 25ACP.

Awesome reliability, but good luck hitting anything with one unless you are within stabbing distance.

 

[floorit76]

I have the 22lr in 1 5/8" I believe. It is suprisingly accurate for it's size. I'm not sure that I have ever had it on paper. But theres been alot of "can you hit that?", and generally yes it can. Maybe I have an exceptionaly straight shooter, or maybe you had an exceptionaly bad one. Having the holster grip makes alot of difrence also. Carries folded up clipped in your pocket like a knife, but opens up to a decent sized handle.

 

[22-rimfire]

Imagine you know you're going to be in a life-and-death confrontation today. What pistol would you choose in that case?

I agree... BUT ..I don't usually carry a 22 handgun, but if I did, I would feel pretty comfortable with my odds in a life and death confrontation. I don't spend my life preparing for something that is likely never to happen such as the preppers do.

 

[Kiln]

I have said before, most disasters happen because people plan to have a disaster. If you find yourself in a life-threatening situation witn nothing but a .22, that's because you planned it that way.

Imagine you know you're going to be in a life-and-death confrontation today. What pistol would you choose in that case?

That's the gun and caliber you should carry all the time.

It is a nice idea in theory...but most people, who know they are about to get into a serious confrontation, will pick their largest pistol with the highest capacity.

The thing is, most people either won't carry that weapon because it is too large to conceal or because it just isn't comfortable. If you are able to pull it off then all power to you but for me, even the Kel Tec P40 is barely small enough to be carried.

Most people try and find a compromise between the full size pistol and the mousegun, a gun that can be counted on for reliability and has adequate power while still remaining small enough to actually carry.

If I knew I was going to be walking out the front door into a hellish nightmare of a gunfight, I'd choose my XDM because it is powerful, reliable, and I can use it well.

If I'm going to be carrying all day because something might or might not happen, I'm going with something more compact.

 

[45_auto]

Imagine you know you're going to be in a life-and-death confrontation today. What pistol would you choose in that case?

That's the gun and caliber you should carry all the time.

Last time I carried my Glock 21 in an IWB under my swimsuit people kept asking me if I was starring in a porn film .....

 

[wnycollector]

I pocket carry a NAA .22 mag daily in the summer. With LOTS of practice I'm able to keep all five shots in the A/C areas on an IPSC target from 15 feet.

 

[Rodentman]

I sometimes carry a 351PD (.22 MRF). It's fairly small (J frame) and light enough not to be a burden. It's not cheap, but it's well made and has a reasonable DA action.

 

[Onward Allusion]

floorit76
I have the 22lr in 1 5/8" I believe. It is suprisingly accurate for it's size. I'm not sure that I have ever had it on paper. But theres been alot of "can you hit that?", and generally yes it can. Maybe I have an exceptionaly straight shooter, or maybe you had an exceptionaly bad one. Having the holster grip makes alot of difrence also. Carries folded up clipped in your pocket like a knife, but opens up to a decent sized handle.

Were those stationary or slow moving targets? Also, what was your heart rate? How long did you take to aim? I can hit the black (8x + on a B-27M) every time with my NAAs from 5 to 7 yards but that is with slow breathing and taking my time with the shots. Those NAAs are last ditch guns from a few feet away, and one won't likely be using sights but rather point-shoot.

Try this... do jumping jacks until you're catching your breath, then reach for your NAA in your fold-up holster, unfold and lock, and shoot at your target as quickly as possible from 15 feet away. The result will probably be better than you'd probably do in a real life bad situation.

 

[floorit76]

I doubt that I will be shaking and breathless while I'm shooting a snake. Which as I stated earlier is my most likely target. When I carry around the farm it's loaded with 2 cci birdshots, and 3 subsonic hollow points. Plenty of deterent for the critters that I have in mind. My response was that the gun itself is not inherently inaccurate, the guy holding it is another story.

 

[Onward Allusion]

Ok - That makes more sense. It's fine as a snake gun at close ranges.

 

[MedWheeler]

I don't know anyone who does but, if I did, I would not disparage him or his choice by any means. I don't even think I'd question it.
Those here who already know why will always be the only ones; the others will never be convinced.

 

[jad0110]

If I knew I was going to be walking out the front door into a hellish nightmare of a gunfight, I'd choose my XDM because it is powerful, reliable, and I can use it well.

For me, scratch the handgun, I'd take my AR.

Then again, going back to Vern's statement ...

Imagine you know you're going to be in a life-and-death confrontation today. What pistol would you choose in that case?

That would be my 4" S&W Model 28. There is no handgun I shoot better and to this point, it has run flawlessly. I can't ask for more than that.

However, I can't imagine CCWing a 4" Model 28 while doing yard work, changing the oil, power washing the house, framing the room addition or staining the fence. As someone else said, some days you have to trade off more than others. Some days, a S&W 642 in my pocket is as big as I can manage, depending on my activities.

As for .22 carry, in addition to recovering from surgery, having rhumatoid arthritis can limit one to a .22 as well.

 

[Kiln]

For me, scratch the handgun, I'd take my AR.

My reply was taking into account the pistol only requirement.

 

[Auf Grosser Fahrt]

Light, reliable, comfortable, inexpensive, and accurate. That's why a .22 LR. Plus, I know I'm never going to be in a gunfight with a Mexican cartel...or any gunfight, for that matter. Realistically speaking.

Now, if everyone carried openly, and I didn't stand out like a sore thumb, I'd put on my NM Blackhawk .357 and be done with it. But until everyone does, I like really small flat guns.

Besides, I mostly wear knit shorts and the Blackhawk in an inside the pants holster just keeps pulling my britches down, and I don't get into that style as much as the younger crowd.

 

[jbrown50]

My Sister-in-Law carries a S&W 317. She's very recoil sensitive due to an old neck and back injury.

 

[amd6547]

I have sometimes carried a beretta model 21a loaded with MiniMag solids as a low profile weapon.
I also own a Ruger SR22 pistol. It has excellent sights, a good double action trigger, and is light and compact. With the right kydex holster, it would disappear under a polo shirt.
It just might be the best "combat 22" made.

 

[Kiln]

I wouldn't trust the SR22 until I know for sure if the automatic disassembly feature has been corrected or not. Google search SR22 failure and check out the videos.

I'm sure they'll be fixed eventually but the early problems are enough to scare me off for now.

 

[Swing]

Awesome reliability, but good luck hitting anything with one unless you are within stabbing distance.

That was my experience with them, generally. Well made and reliable. Just a PITA for guys with large mits like yours-truly and the accuracy was consistent with a revolver of its size.

 

[Major Ross]

The Human body doesn't react well to having multiple 6 inch holes punched into it's most vital areas; like eyes and forehead, temples, throat and neck generally, heart - - - - or showstoppers like groin or a shin. A good airweight .22 revolver with a trigger job and a Crimson Trace grip is absolutely lethal at close range (self defense range) and I wouldn't hesitate to carry one to use in self defense. My wife does; she practices a lot (no recoil) and can put every Stinger round - - - multiple, rapid hits - - - in all of those places I mentioned.

The .22 LR is responsible for more fatal shootings than any other round in Florida. Probably elsewhere as well.

 

[Lawdawg45]

I've said this before about my wife, but it applies here as well. She has always loved recreational shooting with me (SASS, IDPA,etc) but has never opted to carry a CCW, and recoil does play a part in that, even though she frequently shoots .45 Colt/.45 acp. I got her a Charter Arms .22 mag for Christmas this year, and she has pretty much carried it daily since then! She is deadly accurate and has been trained in the "5 in the chest, 1 in the head rule" along with tactical reloads, so while the .22 wouldn't be my first choice, it has inspired her to carry. No complaints from me!

LD

 

[wickedsprint]

Imagine you know you're going to be in a life-and-death confrontation today. What pistol would you choose in that case?

.

I wouldn't have a pistol.

 

[mdauben]

Unless I absolutely could not carry anything larger than a NAA .22 revolver for some reason, I could not see ever carrying a rimfire for SD. There are just too many good, small, choices in .380, .38 and even 9mm these days to chose to carry a .22 for most conceivable concealability reasons.

Now, I suppose someone who had problems handling a revolver in an accepted SD caliber (due to some medical problem), I could see carrying a full-size .22 revolver or autoloader, but most healthy people, with a bit of practice, should be able to handle at least a full-sized .38 revolver or 9mm pistol.

 

[floorit76]

As I said in my previous post. Not everyone carries for self defense, at least not the kind you are thinking of. Find me a 380, on any auto that I can fire birdshot through without having to manually manipulate the slide between shots. Or thumb past the first few rounds to get to a difrent type of ammo. I realize those characteristcs fit any revolver, but how many are as small as the naa? Our circumstances and reasons for carrying all vary, why is it so hard to accept that what we carry can vary just as much? There are places we travel that I wouldn't go without a 45 minimum. But around home a 22 suits me fine. Snakes, stray dogs, the odd coyote, I might wish a had brought more, but I'm way more likey to have the naa with me.