Need help choosing a 22 mag handgun

[Dave Bulla]

Howdy all,

I'm trying to help out a coworker. He's wanting a 22 mag handgun for in his truck. He has a fairly good size cattle operation on the side and wants a 22 mag handgun that is cheap, small and reasonably reliable. It will be used to occasionally dispatch a dying cow and maybe a few critters like raccoons in a trap. He would like it to fit in a front pants pocket. The only thing I know of first hand that fits the bill is my NAA Arms black widow. Unfortunately, the older ones like mine (mid 90's vintage) are no longer made as far as i can tell. There is still an NAA revolver made and maybe even one called the black widow but they are a lot different. The ones I see now have a goofy folding stock and seem more cheaply made. They are also quite expensive for what they are.

I checked gun broker and didn't come up with much. I showed him the heritage rough rider and he said it was too big. I checked auto pistols and after wading through all the kel-tec's, I only came away wondering about one gun. The AMT automag. Saw one with about a two inch barrel so it might be small enough. I know nothing about the AMT brand though. Are they any good?

I'm sure used will be the way to go but I need to know what to keep an eye out for. Did Ruger ever make the mark I or II's in 22 magnum? What about high standard? Browning buckmark? Anybody else?

 

[MedWheeler]

NAA Earl comes to mind, but it's limited in availability, as it was a short-run model.

The Taurus Tracker dual-cylinder version (cannot remember the model number) would fill the bill nicely. It's a DA/SA revolver with a barrel as short as two inches if you want.

Edit: I don't see the Tracker (model 990) as anything shorter than four inches in barrel length, but the 941 is available as a two-inch snub in either .22LR or in .22WMR.

 

[sig228]

Ruger LCR in 22mag. Small pocketable 6 shot snub revolver. Minimal recoil. Not a 45, but not bad for self defense either.

 

[Jlr2267]

Is there significant advantage to 22WMR over 22LR when you get down to 2" pocket guns?

 

[Nite Ryder]

Don't bother with an ATM, they came in three barrel lengths, and they all had problems of one kind or another. If he wants something small that is good quality a S&W 351PD with a 2" barrel is available. They aren't cheap. I have a NAA in 22 mag and wouldn't waste my money on one of them again, nor would I recommend one to anyone but an enemy...

 

[tarosean]

Ruger single six and do away with the pocket carry requirement.

 

[Armored farmer]

Is there significant advantage to 22WMR over 22LR when you get down to 2" pocket guns?

Yes. Like night and day. IMHO
I carry the NAA mini revolver in .22mag with folding grip on my farm every day for the exact same reasons as you mentioned. I really like the folding grip. It gives me a full-sized grip in the little gun and also helps conceal, as well as adding a full dose of safety by completely covering the trigger. The belt clip allows vest pocket, jeans pocket, coat pocket, or iwb carry. I also use the NAA as my ccw. 15 spare rounds in an Altoids Smalls tin, (or my favorite discovery) five spare rounds in a clear automotive fuse container with sliding lid.
If the little NAA's don't suit him, I'd second the aforementioned Ruger LCR.

 

[Dave Bulla]

Thank you all for the replies. Some good suggestions so far. I think he wants to keep the cost around $250 - $300. Certainly as low as possible is desired.

Kbbailey,

Have you ever shot your folding NAA on paper? Mine actually has adjustable sights and with care I can hit targets the size of apples all day long at about ten yards. I've looked at one with the folding stock and did not care for how it felt I my hand. Also, I think none of the new NAA 's I looked at had adjustable sights. Probably a non issue when dispatching a sick cow from inches away but I suppose he could get in a situation where he needed to shoot several yards at a small target like a coon or opossum around a feed bin or in a tree or something.

I have mainly used my sight adjustments when switching from lr to mag and back but also when going from subsonic to high performance lr's. I can also change how I hold the front sight but ifi expect to be shooting a lot I'll make the adjustment.

Also, have you actually used it on a cow? If so, how did it do? He said he usually shots them from the back of the head when he has to put one down. I assume he is currently using a rifle.

FYI, they work great as a snake gun with the mag cylinder and shot shells.

 

[farm23]

I have a Ruger single six with 22lr & 22wmr cylinders and it is a fine gun. In fact it was one of the 1st 22's I bought. I carry a NAA Black Widow every day plus usually something more. For me the BW is accurate out to about 10 yards, but I practice with it. I use the 22lr cylinder for most of my practice and carry the 22wmr cylinder. The new 22wmr ammo for short barrel revolvers make a difference over the older 22wmr ammo. The price range of $250.00 to 300.00 will put you in the used market and you will have to be lucky. I have wished for a Ruger 22wmr pistol.

 

[Armored farmer]

Dave Bulla,
Yes I have shot the NAA on paper and I will say that it is picky on ammo as far as accuracy is concerned. I was excited to try Hornady Critical Defense but unfortunately the little gun keyholed the big 45grain slug. I discovered the short barrel couldn't stabilize the heavy bullet. It does better with standard 40gr bullets but is best with the polymer tipped 30gr 'Varmit" loads. I am not claiming tackdriver but i call it 'minute of liter bottle' at 15 yds.
I have used mine on the trapline for close dispatch work. I have killed snakes and one very unlucky squirrel. We dont have cows anymore. The last two dispatches on large animals were horses. Both times I had time to get my old .45colt Blackhawk to do that grim work.

 

[jrdolall]

For the intended purposes he can buy one of the 22 mag "derringers" and it will fit the bill. The NAA with the folding grip easily fits in a front or rear pocket and the one I have is completely reliable. I haven't really done a lot of accuracy shooting as it is almost a "contact" gun for me. Coons or beaver in a trap from 2 feet away don't require great accuracy. I have never shot a cow with a 22 WMR pistol though it should work right behind the ear.

I agree that doing away with the pocket requirement opens up a world of weapons but not all that many at less than $250. My Heritage fits that bill with no problem and mine is accurate at 15 yards or more with no problem. I wish I could find a Ruger for $250.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Why's it need to be small if it's sitting in his truck? I would recommend a S&W kit gun .22 mag like the model 51 with a 3" or 4" barrel.

 

[RaceM]

Yeah, I'd give up on the pocket carry requirement and go with a full sized gun like a Single Six. Longer barrel = more oomph for putting down beasties. That'd also give him the option for popping varmints at more than spitting distance.

 

[Coyote3855]

If he can find one, I'd recommend the KelTec PMR 30. Mine serves the functions mentioned on my ranch. Won't fit in a pocket, though, and may be hard to find. It is very light weight. I carry it in a Yaqui slide holster and hardly know it's there. I bought mine for around $350 two years ago. NAA recently came out with a 5 round mini .22 magnum with a cylinder that rotates out of the frame for loading/unloading. MSRP is $350. May also be hard to find.

 

[djm3801]

Charter Arms makes them Not sure of quality but they are US made. Cost effective.

 

[tarosean]

Is there significant advantage to 22WMR over 22LR when you get down to 2" pocket guns?

besides noise read for yourself....

22LR
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22.html

22Mag
http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html

 

[Armored farmer]

Tarosean,
Those are interesting charts. I guess I'll eat my crow from the 'nite and day' comment about .22lr vs .22mag. However only in the shortest barrel lengths. I have always been impressed with .22mag in my 9422XTR and Single-Sixes. I think that I will continue to carry the mags in my little NAA pocket gun.

 

[Byron]

While I would go with the Ruger Single Six,I have a neighbor who has the Heratage and likes it.It would be in his price range.

 

[shooter54]

I have a S&W 651 in 22mag-stainless, for such tasks as well. While not cheap, it shoots very good and to look at it this way-mine is worth $300.00 more than I paid for it new, so you should not loose any money. Keep it several years and it gains in value-providing you don't beat the hell out of it.

 

[Dave Bulla]

I don't think he wants to give up the "fits in a pocket" requirement. Being as he handles cattle all the time, I suspect that with typical farmer attitude he has no desire to strap on a holster and play dress up. He's just the practical type of guy who would keep a small gun in the truck but if he has to get out and put down a cow or if he even just thinks he MIGHT have to, he'd rather just drop a small pistol in his pocket and not worry about toting around a full size handgun while he is away from the truck. Sort of a version of the "better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it." with the spin-off of not feeling like you're packing while you DO have it. Besides, cow critters have a way of shoving a fella up against stuff at times and a small pistol in a pocket is less likely to get trashed than a full size one on your belt.

I think he will likely go with an older, used version of the NAA Black Widow like mine.