killchain
Member
A reliable .22LR is going to be a revolver.
I'd start looking at wheelguns.
I'd start looking at wheelguns.
Help finding a 22 for wife
- Thread starter bugoy1
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71Commander
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dogsoldier0513
Member
My wife's CCW weapon is an SA Micro Compact Operator 1911 in .45ACP. However, her 'work in the yard' gun is an S&W M317 'Airweight' 8-shot .22LR. She keeps the first 3 chambers loaded with 'rat shot' and the remaining 5 chambers loaded with CCI 'Stingers'.
Be advised: Using a .22LR for defense will almost demand that any defensive shots be placed in the attacker's facial area.
Be advised: Using a .22LR for defense will almost demand that any defensive shots be placed in the attacker's facial area.
Shadow 7D
Member
actually shooting for the hip fold (lots of blood, disabling) for the liver (soft and deadly) and upwards from the belly, avoiding the hard stuff, are better shots than the face, which is bony and prone to stop or defect a shot.
Nicest quality 22 plinker I have is a Beretta 87. Nice size and works flawlessly. I still wouldn't trust my life to it though and certainly not my wife's. But if you can carry an 87, you can carry the 84 .380 that is the exact same size and a lot better choice. The 21A is cute but only about 99% reliable and if you have a misfire, there is no way to get the round out without tools (no extractor).
Forget the Mosquito. They are JUNK. And I am a SIG guy all the way.
Forget the Mosquito. They are JUNK. And I am a SIG guy all the way.
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Nushif
Member
That is truth.
Onward Allusion
Member
I know you said that your wife would not look at any other calibers except for a 22, however, is she aware that .22LR from a short barrel packs very little energy? Generally speaking, unless it's a shot to the vitals (head, heart, throat, artery) it will not do much IMMEDIATE good. In the world of CCW, a 22LR is a shoot and run like hell in the other direction cartridge.
In any event, check out the Berettas or even the Taurus 22LRs. I can personally vouch for the Berettas as I had a couple of them in the past. They're as dependable as you can get with a rimfire cartridge.
http://www.berettausa.com/products/model-21-bobcat/
http://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=SF1&toggle=tp
As an aside, you may want to consider a .25ACP in the above models. Being a centerfire they are more reliable and from a 2.5" barrel they pack about the same punch as a 22LR - not that I recommend a .25 as a EDC either.
BTW, stay away from the Phoenix HP - junk.
In any event, check out the Berettas or even the Taurus 22LRs. I can personally vouch for the Berettas as I had a couple of them in the past. They're as dependable as you can get with a rimfire cartridge.
http://www.berettausa.com/products/model-21-bobcat/
http://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=SF1&toggle=tp
As an aside, you may want to consider a .25ACP in the above models. Being a centerfire they are more reliable and from a 2.5" barrel they pack about the same punch as a 22LR - not that I recommend a .25 as a EDC either.
BTW, stay away from the Phoenix HP - junk.
bugoy1
Help finding a 22 for wife
My wife loves to go to the range for some plinking. But she also wants to (despite the small caliber) use it as her cc gun. That means not only does it need to be a nice comfy shooter, but needs to be a bit smaller so that she can hide it in a small holster or clutch purse.
She likes the look of the Phoenix HP 22, but it isn't as reliable at the range. I'm wondering about the Firestorm 22 (she likes nickle finishes) in duotone, maybe the Sig Mosquito or Walther.
Is there something else out there that fits this size and style better? I can't seem to find many 22 handguns that are not target guns with long barrels. I would really like to surprise her with something that has it all.
Any suggestions in a 22 are welcome. (must be a 22 - she won't even look at a .380 or .32) Pictures are always nice too
Nushif
Member
My wife actually says to show your wife a Baby Browning in .25.
I know it's not a big step up, but she says she "carries it probably a bit too much, because it's so adorable." It's mechanically as reliable as any pistol and quite manageable for its size.
Also, +1 on the Beretta 84F ... I *know* it's not a .22 but it shoots really damn soft. And accurate, too.
I know it's not a big step up, but she says she "carries it probably a bit too much, because it's so adorable." It's mechanically as reliable as any pistol and quite manageable for its size.
Also, +1 on the Beretta 84F ... I *know* it's not a .22 but it shoots really damn soft. And accurate, too.
dogsoldier0513
Member
Not true....with a .22 or .25. With large caliber guns, shots to the area you mention will likely immediately STOP an attack (breaking/shattering the pelvic girdle). However, while hits in these areas with a .22 MIGHT cause an attacker to die....later...they won't IMMEDIATELT stop him.
Shots to the face ARE effective with smaller rounds IF.... You have to aim for the oribital sockets which will help funnel the tiny .22, .25, etc bullets into the cranial vault.
IF using a SMALL caliber weapon for defense you have to reconcile that you have to AIM SMALL. In the video 'Deadly Effects' there is mention of an autopsy done on a guy that died after being shot 2X by his girlfiend. She was using a Beretta 950 'Minx' in .22Short. The cornoner couldn't find the bullets, so he did a full-body x-ray. He found BOTH .22 bullets in one of the deceased's calves. The guy had lived LONG ENOUGH after being SHOT IN THE HEART 2X for the bullets to be pumped into his calf.
Shawn Dodson
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If .22 LR is the cartridge, then I suggest a revolver, such as the S&W 317 AirLite, instead of an auto pistol.
Rimfire primers are less reliable than centerfire primers. With a revolver if the cartridge doesn't fire the problem is quickly solved by simply pressing the trigger again. Whereas an auto pistol requires more training to clear misfires and stoppages. (You wife is going to have to do a little soul searching to determine the amount of time and effort she wants to invest to develop and maintain her proficiency with an auto pistol.)
Some .22 LR pistols, such as the Beretta Bobcat, don't have extractors. Thus one cannot merely rack the slide to clear a misfire. With my Beretta Bobcat the firing pin swages the rim of a misfired cartridge firmly to the barrel breech, requiring a tool to clear it.
Finally, the .22 LR cartridge is long and skinny and is not as reliable in feeding into the chamber of an auto pistol as other cartridges. I suggest if she desires a .25 ACP sized mousegun that she consider .25 ACP instead, because it was intentionally designed to be fired from little handguns. (When .22 LR is fired from a .25 ACP sized pistol its terminal performance is virtually identical to .25 ACP. See - Terminal Performance of MPB Quik-Shok, CCI Stinger and Remington Viper .22 Long Rifle Ammunition when fired from a Beretta Model 21A Handgun into Standard Ordnance Gelatin at http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs27.htm)
Just some things to think about.
Good luck!
Rimfire primers are less reliable than centerfire primers. With a revolver if the cartridge doesn't fire the problem is quickly solved by simply pressing the trigger again. Whereas an auto pistol requires more training to clear misfires and stoppages. (You wife is going to have to do a little soul searching to determine the amount of time and effort she wants to invest to develop and maintain her proficiency with an auto pistol.)
Some .22 LR pistols, such as the Beretta Bobcat, don't have extractors. Thus one cannot merely rack the slide to clear a misfire. With my Beretta Bobcat the firing pin swages the rim of a misfired cartridge firmly to the barrel breech, requiring a tool to clear it.
Finally, the .22 LR cartridge is long and skinny and is not as reliable in feeding into the chamber of an auto pistol as other cartridges. I suggest if she desires a .25 ACP sized mousegun that she consider .25 ACP instead, because it was intentionally designed to be fired from little handguns. (When .22 LR is fired from a .25 ACP sized pistol its terminal performance is virtually identical to .25 ACP. See - Terminal Performance of MPB Quik-Shok, CCI Stinger and Remington Viper .22 Long Rifle Ammunition when fired from a Beretta Model 21A Handgun into Standard Ordnance Gelatin at http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs27.htm)
Just some things to think about.
Good luck!
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You should not be picking out what she will use. She needs to get a lot of trigger time on various guns to see what works best FOR HER
That said, try to step her up to at least a .380. .22LR has no place in self defense, unless it's against a blind rabbit. Some drugged up 300 pound gangbanger? Good luck with a .22LR out of a handgun at that point
That said, try to step her up to at least a .380. .22LR has no place in self defense, unless it's against a blind rabbit. Some drugged up 300 pound gangbanger? Good luck with a .22LR out of a handgun at that point
Onward Allusion
Member
bugoy1 - Not sure if you ever experienced first hand pumping .22LR into a person or animal, but it takes quite a few shots to stop them or even to change their mind if they are intending on harming you. Like some of the others have said, even shots to the heart (or head) won't stop the assailant immediately! I would never give my wife a 22LR as a EDC weapon. At a bare minimum...a P-32 or P3AT.
Win_SX-1
Member
Walther P22
My wife loves her Walther P22. With the adjustable back strap, we can tailor it to fit her small hands. I know a lot of people do not like it or say it is a jam-o-matic - this is true if you use cheap ammo. Once we started using better ammo, it's never failed to go "bang" when you pull the trigger.
My wife loves her Walther P22. With the adjustable back strap, we can tailor it to fit her small hands. I know a lot of people do not like it or say it is a jam-o-matic - this is true if you use cheap ammo. Once we started using better ammo, it's never failed to go "bang" when you pull the trigger.
Walthersp22
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One of the best handguns to hit the market lately is the Walther P22. First and foremost this pistol fits the hand very well, no matter how big or small your hands are. Some might say the barrel is to short at 3.4 inches, I say nonsense. If you can learn to shoot well with a short barrel pistol, you are better off. Bought my wife a P22, my self-P22 target. Both function very well with any type of ammunition.
walker944
Member
I'm quite impressed with the quality and reliability of the Firestorm (Bersa) .22. I've got one and my wife has one. On the otherhand, I'm dismally frustrated with the hit & miss (mostly piss-poor) quality and reliability of the Taurus PT-22. I've had a few of those...thinking I had a lemon...or two. I just really wanted the Taurus to be reliable, but all my wishing and even trips to the Taurus facility in Miami, FL didn't really change reality. So, as disappointed as I am with Taurus, the Firestorm .22s are very impressive. Great little pocket plinkers.
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benderx4
Member
They aren't the easiest to find, and they certainly aren't cheap, but I would recommend the Beretta Cheetah 87. Probably the highest quality, most reliable .22 on the market. More enjoyable to shoot, and just as accurate as my Ruger Mk III Hunter. Good luck!
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=202324427
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=202324427
If you are trying to make her a good shooter and an accurate shooter you should buy an accurate gun and the buckmark is hard to beat.
If you want to simulate a larger caliber weapon then maybe a combat style .22 would be in order. I cant believe i'm suggesting this but the Sig Mosquito best simulates a regular sized combat pistol. Make sure you run CCI Minimags or a high velocity .22 round.
For CCW I believe the .22 round should only be a stepping stone and not the ends for defense. I don't think she should carry a .22.
If you want to simulate a larger caliber weapon then maybe a combat style .22 would be in order. I cant believe i'm suggesting this but the Sig Mosquito best simulates a regular sized combat pistol. Make sure you run CCI Minimags or a high velocity .22 round.
For CCW I believe the .22 round should only be a stepping stone and not the ends for defense. I don't think she should carry a .22.
Carl Levitian
member
Many devout readers of the gun rags parrot off remarkably dumb statements that a .22 will just make somebody mad. Try reading just the first chapter in Frank Serpico's book, where he describes in vivid detail what it was like to be shot in the face with a .22. Just one single round.
As he was laying there on the dirty floor of a cheap apartment building, he was anything but mad. Better still, ask Jim Brady how his tennis game is.
As he was laying there on the dirty floor of a cheap apartment building, he was anything but mad. Better still, ask Jim Brady how his tennis game is.
I hate to be that guy but the P22 no where near one of the best guns to hit the market. The slide cracked twice on mine in 4k rounds and after the 2nd repair I got rid of it.
They are made of pot metal, have horrible triggers, overpriced and in general unreliable as a defensive pistol. The gun is small so it doesn't really resemble a larger caliber pistol of the same brand as the mosquito does(another questionable .22).
I would get back on topic but everything that could be said has been said.
.22 doesn't even have marginal ballistics for CCW and rimfire is unreliable in nature
Inform her about the .22's capability and buy her a .22 to intro her into shooting. When she is ready, move up to a larger caliber and do not force anything on her. Try your hardest to talk her out of carrying a .22.
Yea, that's assuming the shooter is accurate and can actually hit such a relatively small target when the adrenaline and fear hits them. Good luck with that if the person is a casual shooter and has had no training or experience.
And no. I'm not a devout reader of gun rags. Just someone with a bit of experience and common sense.
I don't discount any bullet coming at me! There is allot to be said for a 22lr revolver's reliability. My wife used a Beretta in 22lr as well as a Walther P22 and I agree that as long as you use quality ammo they are as reliable as anything else.
What happened with her and with others I've seen is that once she got used to shooting she went to a 9mm and currently uses it in competition. The step up as you get used to things can be expensive, but how many of us said when we started shooting "OK, this is the only firearm I will ever buy"?
Dave
What happened with her and with others I've seen is that once she got used to shooting she went to a 9mm and currently uses it in competition. The step up as you get used to things can be expensive, but how many of us said when we started shooting "OK, this is the only firearm I will ever buy"?
Dave
.22 has poor stopping power period and reliable small .22 autos are hard to find. At least move up to a .22 Mag. Revolver. S&W makes the Mod 551PD priced at about $599 and Taurus offers the Mod 941 at about $350. Both S&W and Taurus offer small revolvers in the .327 Mag. These .327 Mag. revolvers will also fire the lighter recoiling .32 Mag. and the even lighter recoiling .32 Long.
Although bigger and heavier than the Phoenix, the Walther PP, PPK, PPK/s in a .32 ACP would offer better stopping power but still have light recoil. They can be found used for $350-$500.
Although bigger and heavier than the Phoenix, the Walther PP, PPK, PPK/s in a .32 ACP would offer better stopping power but still have light recoil. They can be found used for $350-$500.
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