Stuck between two .22 pisols. Need help deciding. (Firestorm or Ruger)

[Meowhead]

I don't want to go deaf using a defensive weapon with a large caliber

I'm glad I'm not the only one that takes this into consideration. Stay away from .357 Magnum; I fired mine once without hearing protection just to see how bad it would be, and immediately decided it would be a range gun only.

But my .44 Mag is much, much easier on the ears, even with full-power loads. I could be wrong but I think it's a matter of pressure. A 1911 wasn't bad either. Nothing I would be really comfortable firing without earplugs, but then, neither is .22LR. So perhaps consider calibers like .45ACP or .44 Special?

 

[presspuller]

As for a 22 stopping a bg "dead in their tracks"! Maybe if you hit them in the eye, but anywhere else with a 22 is iffy.

Excluding war more people have been killed with a .22 than any other caliber. Even a .22 hole in them will take the fight out of most.

 

[leukoplast]

Yeah, a .22 is more than enough to stop somebody. Unless of course they were doped up on heroin/crack, are numb to everything and have the adrenalin of a raged out elephant.

A shot to the head, groin, shins, neck, ribs and chest with high velocity rounds is for sure enough to stop somebody. And if I so felt deemed, 11 rounds into them at random spots would do the trick as well.

I think the majority of people underestimate what even a tiny bullet flying at 1,300fps can do. Most people always think 'Bigger the better' and just assume a .22 isn't a good self defense weapon.

 

[Guns and more]

They're tools for different jobs. If you want to enjoy going to the range and becoming a good shot, get the Ruger (I'd get the long barrel.) If you want to carry it for self defense, get the ........but wait, I couldn't recommend a .22 for self defense, so maybe a Kel-Tec. in .32 or .380.
Here we go.

 

[marineman]

The Ruger has already proven itself and has a huge following. You can readily find parts and accessories for it as well.

 

[greener]

If you are looking for small and pocket carry, the Bersa is the better choice. I think the Ruger is a better all-round pistol.

I agree with the consensus that a .22 is not the best choice in SD handguns. However, I don't think many folks would stand in the direction of fire to prove a .22 can't do any damage.

 

[powwowell]

Ruger

The Ruger MKII is the best all around value in .22 pistols, IMO. It is not a good self or home defense weapon. No other .22 is either. May I suggest at least a.32 for self defense? The Kel-Tec P-32 is a small pocket pistol that is easy to conceal.

 

[leukoplast]

If I wanted a larger caliber for extra self defense, I would simply get the Firestorm .380 as it looks exactly the same as the Firestorm .22 and is even the same size exactly.

Either way, I have decided on the Firestorm. I will more than likely get the Ruger later for a good plinking/range shooting pistol. But for now, a good bit of self defense will work fine for me with the .22 firestorm.

Although, if somebody owns both pistols, I wouldn't mind seeing a picture of them side by side just for curiosity's sake.

 

[Pilot]

The Firestorm is a fun plinker. The Ruger is much more accurate and their are tons of aftermarket goodies to make it even more accurate if you want. Standard velocity loads are also not a problem in the Ruger.

Ruger would be my choice.

 

[leukoplast]

Do you know if the Firestorm has any neat attachments? Like a scope or something to that effect?

 

[kokapelli]

No, but there are plenty for the Ruger.

I thought you had decided in the Bersa!

Here's mine with holographic sight.

 

[Disaster]

A .22 can definitely kill you...eventually. Coming out of a pistol it is even less powerful and a really bad idea as a defense piece. Recently I read about a guy who shot a home invader square between the eyes with a .22 pistol. The round didn't penetrate the guy's skull. In another case a guy shot a .22 rifle in defense at the center mass. The bullet bounced off a rib and rested in his chest. The BG drove himself to the hospital.

Sure, any caliber CAN be ineffective and pistol calibers are generally worse than rifle, but you have to stop somewhere. Otherwise you will be defending yourself with a BB gun and talking about how you heard stories of people getting killed with them so they are OK defensive weapons.

OK...rant over.

As for the choice, I'd go with either a Beretta Neos, Browning Buckmark, Ruger, or S&W 22A, in that order of preference.

Of all them I tried I liked the Beretta's trigger the best and it is, by far, the easiest to break down. You can swap the barrel in under a minute.

The Buckmarks are my second favorite...built like tanks and a bit more refined than the Ruger...and easier to clean.

The Ruger has the advantage of a huge accessory base. The trigger on the few I tried wasn't quite as good as the Neos or Buckmark. I've read that their quality isn't what it used to be.

I didn't take to the S&W's grip, but your mileage may vary there. It doesn't have the history of the others and did see some reports of some issues with some of them...not sure if those were teething issues that come with many new guns. The rest of the gun was impressive and S&W has the best customer service in the industry.

Guns like the Bersa .22, or the Walther P22, or the Sig Mosquito are fun but less accurate. They mimic the look and feel of centerfire autos which is something some people like (though the grip on the P22 is downright minuscule.)

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Whodathunk anyone would ever put looks in the "pro" column of a Ruger handgun.

Anyway, sounds like a wash - pick whichever one grabs your fancy. Myself, I'd get a Browning Buckmark 1,000 times over before either one of those.

 

[shooter1]

I agree that a higher caliber gun will be more effective, but part of my reasoning for a .22 in defense is my hearing. I don't want to go deaf using a defensive weapon with a large caliber. Because, obviously there is no time to put on hearing protection in that given circumstance. So with a .380 or higher, I would lose crucial hearing that will never come back.

Yep! When in a fight for my life, I wouldn't want to defend myself with somethng loud. I'm thinking a rubber hammer would be even quieter than a firearm.
str1

 

[kokapelli]

Yep! When in a fight for my life, I wouldn't want to defend myself with somethng loud. I'm thinking a rubber hammer would be even quieter than a firearm.

Well, I don't think anyone could deny that a rubber mallet would have more knock down power than a 22.

 

[blackbearaddict]

why go for chicken when u can have steak? 454. casull haha

RUGER RUGER RUGER

 

[leukoplast]

@ kokapelli - Bersa...Firestorm, they are essentially the same exact thing.

@ Disaster - I'm sure there is also stories of higher caliber bullets bouncing or not penetrating people as well. There is always going to be things like that happening. Doesn't mean that caliber is all of a sudden useless. I know for a fact that if I blast somebody with a .22 caliber bullet going 1,300fps, its going to do some damage. If you don't think so then I guess shooting yourself point blank with one would be ok right? When you do, get a video to me, as I would like to see the bullet bounce off your skull.

Bottom line is a .22 is more than enough to take somebody down, and whether or not you think its good defensively is not the point of this thread. Also, enough with the suggestions for other guns. I have seen the rest, and the ones I liked best were the Ruger and the Firestorm. If I wanted other suggestions, I would have asked for it.

@ shooter1 - Wow, its pretty sad you think you need a big caliber just to protect yourself. Maybe you should improve on your aim a little bit? Or maybe get some of those pills that extend your 'length' cause its pretty obvious you think you have to compensate for your inadequacies with big weapons.

 

[Disaster]

leukoplast: For me a .22 is more than enough for defense purposes. I agree that a higher caliber gun will be more effective, but part of my reasoning for a .22 in defense is my hearing. I don't want to go deaf using a defensive weapon with a large caliber. Because, obviously there is no time to put on hearing protection in that given circumstance. So with a .380 or higher, I would lose crucial hearing that will never come back. Or maybe even worse, go deaf. And I for one and really nit-picky about my hearing. I protect at any chance I can when I think anything is too loud.

Yowsa.

Do you realize that hearing loss is a cumulative thing don't you? Ever been to a noisy club or disco? An hour in there is like 1000 shots with a .44 magnum. Ever mow your lawn without ear protection? How about turn your stereo up in your car to a song you really like.

A couple self protection shots are not going to make a huge difference in the compared to all the other noise assaults on your hearing.

You should be more worried about the rather instantaneous death a bad guy can deal you when you p.o. him with a .22.

presspuller: Do what I do when in this same situation.
Ask yourself if both of them were on the table in front of you and you had to pick one up and take it home NOW, which one would it be. Don't stop to think about, you have already done that. Just pick the thing up.
Now which one did you pick up?

Good suggestion and one we can use with the self defense argument too. Suppose a bad guy is rushing at you and you have a .45 and a .22 on your night stand for self defense. Which one do you pick up?

leukoblast: I know for a fact that if I blast somebody with a .22 caliber bullet going 1,300fps, its going to do some damage. If you don't think so then I guess shooting yourself point blank with one would be ok right? When you do, get a video to me, as I would like to see the bullet bounce off your skull.

P.S. The "if you don't think this gun is effective why don't you shoot yourself with it"...or the "let me shoot you with it" variation is a silly argument. You'd be an idiot to let someone shoot you with a bb gun...let alone a .22. Either could kill you.

The question is, what is most likely to disable or incapacitate someone that is coming at you with bad intentions BEFORE they can harm you. I don't care if they die 6 hours later. I want them to stop NOW. Of course it is a compromise because ideally you'd like to have a shotgun or rifle. My point is a .22 is much less likely to effectively stop someone than other pistol calibers that aren't that much harder to carry. Additionally, rimfires are notoriously unreliable compared to centerfires. Even with the best ammo and the hardest hitting firing pins you are likely to see several fail to fires in a carton of .22 ammo.

 

[wditto]

RUGER

 

[shooter1]

Well, I don't think anyone could deny that a rubber mallet would have more knock down power than a 22. Without a doubt!! :banghead:
str1

 

[Water-Man]

Ruger!

 

[leukoplast]

Yowsa.

Do you realize that hearing loss is a cumulative thing don't you? Ever been to a noisy club or disco? An hour in there is like 1000 shots with a .44 magnum. Ever mow your lawn without ear protection? How about turn your stereo up in your car to a song you really like.

A couple self protection shots are not going to make a huge difference in the compared to all the other noise assaults on your hearing.

You should be more worried about the rather instantaneous death a bad guy can deal you when you p.o. him with a .22.

Yes, I do realize those things are loud, which is why I protect my hearing in those given situations. I can't imagine somebody going to a concert and not wearing hearing protection, that is outright stupid. And I never turn up my volume for music/movie too loud where I am uncomfortable with it. I keep it to a reasonable level. Because the thing about hearing is, once you damage your eardrums, that's it...you will never get that hearing back ever again.

Honestly, if I can't take down somebody with a .22, then that's my own problem. But I have full confidence that in a defensive situation a .22 will severely injure or kill any attacker. Even if all else fails, I just keep shooting, 11 rounds into anybody will stop them. Definitely enough to protect myself without losing a ton of my hearing. Plus, its a huge step from where I am at now, no gun at all. So to me, a step up to a .22 is like night and day difference in the world of defense.

 

[shooter1]

@ shooter1 - Wow, its pretty sad you think you need a big caliber just to protect yourself. Maybe you should improve on your aim a little bit? Or maybe get some of those pills that extend your 'length' cause its pretty obvious you think you have to compensate for your inadequacies with big weapons.

Guess you're for real. Up to this point I was giving you the benifit of the doubt.
Apparently my life is worth more to me that your life is to you. I want the most effective tool I can get to protect mine. A rifle would be my first choice, but it's a little hard to conceal. Given that I can carry a handgun no larger than a .22 but in a more effective caliber, I'd be a little more than foolish to not give myself that advantage. I'm sure my opinions are worth no more to you than yours are to me, so make your own choices.
str1

 

[kokapelli]

Sounds like leukoplast's mind was probably made up before his initial post here.
So good luck and enjoy the Bersa.

 

[leukoplast]

Guess you're for real. Up to this point I was giving you the benifit of the doubt.
Apparently my life is worth more to me that your life is to you. I want the most effective tool I can get to protect mine. A rifle would be my first choice, but it's a little hard to conceal. Given that I can carry a handgun no larger than a .22 but in a more effective caliber, I'd be a little more than foolish to not give myself that advantage. I'm sure my opinions are worth no more to you than yours are to me, so make your own choices.
str1

I see where your coming from and I am not disagreeing that a higher caliber would be more effective. But I am thinking from a perspective of that I have never had a gun to protect myself with. So once I move on up to a .22 the difference in protection increases at least a 200 fold. I also take my hearing into consideration greatly. So I want to effectively gain more defense, while if in that situation, keep as much of my hearing as possible.

A .22 provides this to me with more than enough power to stop anybody with the right shot(s). A bullet, or bullets, to the head from a .22 will kill somebody. You cannot argue this. On the other hand, a BB/pellet from a BB gun would not (unless shot through the eye perfectly). The difference in a BB gun and .22 are phenomenal. Its like the difference in a RC car electric engine, and a truck engine. Sure I could go for a 747 airplane engine for more 'oomph' but if I can get by with considerable gain on the smaller size, then that works for me.

I personally had to make a compromise between raw power, and things such as my hearing.