Pocket Pistol Choices

[seeker_two]

B/t the two listed (I know there are other options, but I'm curious about these two), which would you choose to carry & why?

.22 auto
Pros-- More ammo. Quick reload. Lighter. Quick to shoot.
Cons-- Smaller caliber. Sometimes not reliable.

.357 Derringer
Pros-- Powerful ammo (either .38 or .357). Interchangeable ammo w/ larger gun. More reliable than auto.
Cons-- 2 shots only. Most are SA-only. Recoil. Poor accuracy past belly-gun range.

Your opinions, please....

(EDIT-- The reason I'm asking is d/t a conversation I'd heard at a gun store comparing the two. That's why I've limited it to these selections. Others need not apply...)

 

[MJRW]

I'd like to vote neither, please.

 

[tetchaje1]

I'd vote NAA Guardian in 32NAA (Corbon), thank you.

 

[Erich]

I personally would also vote "neither," and try to find a J-frame.

If you must choose between those two, I suppose the .22 that you can at least fire controllably beats the slow, huge, heavy .357 derringer.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Between the two, I'd choose the PT-22 also, aiming and multiple shots are better than a couple of missed .357 shots.

 

[cratz2]

I would not feel very well armed with either at all. With the P32, P11 and the upcoming 380 version, as well as the Guardian and others, I can't see seriously carrying either of the two you list.

If those were the only two I owned, I'd carry the 22 pistol. I have very little faith in derringers in general and I wouldn't count on the bullet of the 38 hitting cone first.

Also, if those were the only two I owned, I'd trade them both in for a P32 or P11.

 

[10-Ring]

Since I won't be the first, I too am voting neither. I've got issues w/ the 22 lr as a defensive round & don't really like derringers for the reasons mentioned. I'd go w/ a lightweight j-frame 38 instead

 

[denfoote]

Neither!!!
Glock 36!!!
It fits in a Galco PH286 pocket holster and gives you full .45ACP firepower!!

A second choice for a mousegun would be the Kahr MK9. It fits comfortably in the pocket, is full power 9mm +P+ rated, and is a damn sight better than a .22 RF!!!!!

 

[tbeb]

I do not like the .22 for self defense because it is a rimfire which gives less reliable primer ignition than a centerfire. So, between the two I would choose the derringer in a centerfire caliber like .38 special.

I do not consider the derringer a viable primary CCW because it is slow to fire and 2-shots may not be enough. The M1 is a single action, correct? You know American Derringer makes a double action derringer and that model is the DA 38.

I wouldn't carry either of your choices. I recommend a snub .38 revolver, like a used S&W model 36. It it's 19 oz. empty weight is too heavy for you, then an older used model 37 is same gun except it weighs 13 ozs.

 

[gino]

Another vote for neither...

 

[DeltaElite]

Of the two you list, I would take the Derringer in 357, since two for sure is better than none for sure from a Taurus product.

I prefer the J frame smiths, I have a 640 357 in my pocket as we speak.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Neither ,Guardian 380 or Kahr K-9.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I carried a PT-22 for a couple of years.

I shoot Winchester Wildcat through it.

In over 2,000 rounds with WC, not a SINGLE failure to feed, fire, or eject. 100% reliability.

I really think that the days of "the rimfire being less reliable" than the centerfire are over.

I've had more failures to fire with centerfire ammo than I have had with rimfire ammo over the last 20 years, and really precious few of either.

 

[OldFatGuy]

I spent 20 years on a big city police dept. "60s & '70s. The weapon with the largest number of kills??? other than cars, of course. RG .22 short. In those days they sold for $6.95, I think. Would I carry one? Not an RG, but I did carry a little flip top Baretta .22. It kept me from getting cut up with a roofing knife once too. I would carry an RG before I carried a Derringer of any caliber, but like everyone else has said, there are much better pocket guns than either of the two mentioned.

 

[Blackhawk]

Of those two choices, the .22.

But I prefer a few other choices....

 

[EJ]

ANother neither and J frame vote --

 

[Johnny Guest]

If limited to the PT-22 - - -

- - -I also would vote for neither. If I had MY CHOICE of .22 rimfires, I'd take a late pre-WW-II Colt Woodsman. Light, compact, reliable, accurate.

Or, if not limited to semi-auto .22, my Model 34 .22/32 Kit Gun.

Best,
Johnny

 

[sixgun_symphony]

I would not want a magnum chambering for any Derringer.

.38 special is more than enough.

 

[M1911]

Neither. A Kahr MK9 or a S&W 642. Smallest I'll go is a NAA .32 Guardian.

 

[firestar]

I had one of the Taurus PT-22s and it was a huge POS! I sent it back to the factory 2 times and it was still not fixed. I later sold it to a dealer for less than half what I paided for it and I was glad to get it.

Don't buy this gun! Get the Beretta instead. Why pay almost as much for the Taurus when it is just a cheap copy of the Beretta? The Taurus looks well made but it just doesn't work!