Have a friend looking to buy a 351PD and load it with 7 rounds of 22 mag. Comments?

Well, between that and nothing, I would go with the 22mag. However, he might want to look at a 38spl if revos are his thing. Noise will about the same in the heat of battle. Later.

Well, it would be better than nothing, but almost any larger caliber would be better. A lot better.

Anyone know the ballistics on a 22 mag coming out of a short barrel vs say a 6 inch barrel? Thanks, Mike

The .22lr. and mag. are great killers. However they are considered poor stoppers. Unless your friend has a physical infirmity that prevents the .38 special from being an option, any .22 is a poor choice when something more effective is available.

I've worked on a lot of handgun killings. I would be really concerned about the light and slow (out of a handgun) .22 Mag bullet penetrating sufficiently to get to the vitals. I've worked on cases in which .22s, .25s, and .32s haven't penetrated adequately to effect a stop.

Personally, I use a .380 ball as a minimum, but I more frequently consider a .38 Spl with fast 147-grainers or +P 158-grainers as my practical minimum.

Definitely anyone using a handgun should study Gray's Anatomy to learn where to put the bullets.

22mag will actually be louder and have more muzzel flash than any other round available in that gun-- it is a rifle cartridge and has a lot more powder in it that can be burnt in a pistol barrel

32 mag, 9mm, and 38 spl are all available in the j frame and all are superior to the 22 mag as a stopper

I bought a .22 MAG Davis derringer about 20 years ago. I think I put about ten rounds through it. Firing that thing was like holding an M-80 in your hand, and all the holes in the target looked like boats......

It got sold fast!

quote:

Anyone know the ballistics on a 22 mag coming out of a short barrel vs say a 6 inch barre

Those ballistics are found on the North American Arms site.They aren't very good. Like Bill Jordan wrote, a .22 MAG would be a great little pocket gun to carry around when nothing's gonna happen.

Erich wrote

quote:

Definitely anyone using a handgun should study Gray's Anatomy to learn where to put the bullets.

I have watched that show several episodes, but have learned far more about bullet placement viewing The Sopranos on A&E this year.

I believe that's "Grey's Anatomy."

IMO the .22 Mag is a very loud round. From a handgun you get very little advantage over a good .22LR like the CCI 40gr Velocitor.

I've used 22mag out of a rifle for jackrabbits. I've seen jackrabbits run for several yards after a solid hit to the chest. I'm not impressed enough with the round to use it for self defense.

It is a bad idea unless there is some reason he cannot buy, carry, or shoot something larger.

Many years ago I fired two 22Mag rounds from my Hy-Standard Derringer. Wow! A white fireball like a Atomic Bomb and recoil that I couldn't belive from a 40gr. bullet. Wild muzzle blast! A 38Spl musch better for defence.