OP essentially admitted that 1st post was a "troll" and quite deliberately so, "for effect"
and was amply rewarded, as troll posts usually are, however labeled as pretense of "other". High Road posts deserve High Road answers, and troll posts pretty much know what to expect, and I think he knew that, right up front. Pretty HR overall , IMO, the many sincere posts in this very long thread, given the initial character of of initial post.
But OP has long since acknowledged that the obviously dominant opinions regarding choice of 22 rimfire vs centerfire have many and obvious merits.
The more appropriate topic to continuation of thread topic (seems to me), is his revised focus on pocket rocket pistolas vs more 'shootable' choices, solely for ease of EDC.
Pretty much everybody agrees that misses (and/or FTF) don't count, and that hits don't always count as much as we would like them to, irrespective of caliber.
It still appears OP has extreme little experience in handgun shooting, and worries a lot more about carrying attributes than shooting attributes. Face it, snubbies and pocket rockets can be great choices for those who have a broader range of experience and/or training with multiple handguns. But for the newbie ???
'Derringers' have always had their place, and always will, but they have always had very obvious limitations, and always will. One or two shot SA versions of 100 years ago, and even the best of today's 7-shot 'derringers' still share many of those same limitations.
Sometimes awareness, posture, attitude, and/or a loud sound will get it done, but most of us still prefer a CCW handgun to a compact pocket size airhorn. Because getting hits counts for more than anything else, and that is best done with the most gun size and weight that can be carried well, and shot well, by end-user.
In High Road fashion, we just might do better to encourage OP to learn to hit with something more shootable in centerfire, than the typical run of smallest and/or lightest. There are a ton of mid-weights to be had that carry quite easily, and are a lot easier to learn to hit with consistently than the shortest/lightest trendy stuff.
If we wish to offer further advise in HR fashion, (the harsher responses to 'troll post' already having been pretty well covered), we might ought push the topic in other directions.
Comments on 22LR for SD, nothing new has been said here, pro or con, that hasn't been said many times over.
PS
I do not doubt at all that there are members here who are exceptionally skilled with the sub-compact stuff, but do remember that OP is not you, OP is still a few rounds shy of Grand Master. If this was your 20-something son or daughter, looking for "my 1st CCW handgun", would you really suggest they go with the smallest/lightest centerfire carry gun they can fit in a pocket... or perhaps something other ??
(at least a few in this thread already have done that, but it seems to have been largely overlooked in all the same, old same old 22 rimfire for SD comments)
The application makes a difference. I don't feel the need to carry my AK when I go to church. I'm well armed enough at the restaurant after the service with my NAA .22 mag. I shoot it well and I can make the shot if it ever becomes necessary, meanwhile, there's no bulges where folks in Sunday school might ask questions. Now, if I'm forced into combat, I'll take whatever uncle Sam issues and it's likely to be a rifle, not a personal defense concealment capable handgun.
