I just bought a new M&P 22LR pistol, expecting it to be a lot of fun at the range and on my dad's place in the country.
Q1. What practice ammo would you recommend? I'm thinking of Remington Champion maybe. Is there a significant difference in how clean/dirty the powder is among various cheap ammo choices?
Q2. My home defense gun is a 12 guage, but my wife won't shoot it, so our backup is a .38 she likes. If she needed to use the .22 for some reason, what would be effective self defense .22 pistol ammo? And what part of the body should she target? I know .22 is a poor choice, but I'm thinking it will at least chase off the BG.
I've never shot a .22 handgun and heard this is good/cheap practice substitute for my M&P 9c, but I have a lot to learn about .22. Thanks!

Go to wallyworld and try a few different brands, some may shoot better, cleaner. The 22lr is a poor choice for self defense, that said, a well placed shot through the eye will enter the brain and be somewhat effective entering frontal lobe. Trying to hit an eye under stress, moving target,in semi darkness will be nearly impossible. I would suggest a 20 ga pump, # 6 shot and a light mounted on the gun. Easy to shoot, # 6 shot will be very effective at home defense distances, inexpensive. As for the light a 15$ mount will attach it to the gun as will duct tape. Good Luck, Be Safe.

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I BACK OUR BLUE

CCI makes good clean ammo in 22LR.

I have found that CCI is as clean and reliable as any .22 ammo out there. Remington ammo is very dirty and unreliable IMHO. I would use CCI stinger as your best HD ammo but as you mention a 22rimfire is not much better that a sharp stick for home defense. Of course this only my 2cents worth.

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44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

CCI mini mags work well for practice &
CCI stingers would be my choice for defense in.22 cal weapons

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JR

Once upon a time I worked night security in a shipyard in N.O., LA. I carried a little Ruger Mk. II in my back pocket loaded w/ CCI Mini-Mags. There are other pistols and loads I'd prefer. But, even now, it'd get the job done.

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Doesn't the manual recommend specific rounds? Sometimes the manufacturer does that. It was on my Advantage Arms Glock kit and my M&P15-22 rifle.

Another option that the local gunshop sells here in Stettler, Alberta is CCI frangible ammo in 22LR. It's supposed to break up on impact and enter in many small pieces. But I haven't tried it. Keep your eyes open for it while travelling wallyworld~
455kid

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be going to Wallyworld tomorrow, see what they have, and pick up an assortment. Then to the range!

I took some federal 550 (36gr.) from wallyworld out a couple weeks ago and was having trouble with it in my M&P22, I'm gonna try CCI mini's next (40gr).

Just my experience.