Switching to .22? Somebody stop me!

ISCS Yoda · Jul 13, 2015

Seriously, I am contemplating the occasional switch to .22 LR pistols. I have a couple of them, they're nice and thin and easy to conceal either in a pocket or IWB - even I can IWB a .22 caliber pistol. I say that because IWB used to be easy before I chubbed out. Anyway, they're easy to shoot, pack 8 rounds, it's a tempting concept for a guy who drags a S&W 642 in his pocket every day.

Comments solicited - and you can be as mean and sarcastic as you like!

I probably won't be impressed by stopping power discussions - if I was I'd carry a .45, not a .38. PLENTY of folks stop breathing after being hit by .22 caliber rounds. So try some other persuasive concepts, please.

Thanks.

Fishinfool · Jul 13, 2015

Well, if stopping power is not a concern in your self defense handgun, then it should work fine....

If thinness and light weight are the real concerns, why not a Kel Tec p-32, or a Ruger LCP? I don't know of any 22 rimfire pistols that are lighter or thinner than these. The "unneeded" increase in stopping power provided by the big .32acp, or the brutal .380acp is just icing on the cake...

Larry

ralph7 · Jul 13, 2015

Rimfires are not only anemic by comparison, but are much more prone to misfires than a centerfire.
A defensive gun should really be as reliable as you can get it. This isn't the time for dud rounds.

star1 · Jul 13, 2015

something I don't understand is why the capacity is so low on 22 pistols when for example the SD9VE holds 16/17 rounds of 9mm?
Norm

Cal44 · Jul 13, 2015

star1 said:
something I don't understand is why the capacity is so low on 22 pistols when for example the SD9VE holds 16/17 rounds of 9mm?
Norm

Because they are tiny?

The question is: are these little pistols reliable?

A gun that doesn't go bang has zero stopping power.

star1 · Jul 13, 2015

seems like with the smaller cartridge they should be able to pack them in and get 20 to 30 rounds ...

KSDeputy · Jul 13, 2015

More people are killed by .22lr every year than any other caliber, but the stopping power is minimal. I have 4 handguns, and 3 rifles in this caliber. I carry a CS 45, however. I suggest as a minimum a .380 or .38 special.

ImprovedModel56Fan · Jul 13, 2015

star1 said:
seems like with the smaller cartridge they should be able to pack them in and get 20 to 30 rounds ...

They should and do. Kel-Tec, and in WMR, no less. 30 rounds, and they work.

Donn · Jul 13, 2015

A 22lr will kill you as dead as an atomic bomb. That said, unless you hit Mr. Bad Guy's heart or brain, he'll be on you doing great bodily harm before he bleeds out. But, by the way your post is written, you've already got your mind made up, so good luck.

petepeterson · Jul 13, 2015

KSDeputy said:
More people are killed by .22lr every year than any other caliber, but the stopping power is minimal. I have 4 handguns, and 3 rifles in this caliber. I carry a CS 45, however. I suggest as a minimum a .380 or .38 special.

I hear this all the time, but I'd be curious to see that statistic in print. I'm not pulling your chain, I'm genuinely curious.

I can believe that it is probably responsible for the most domestic deaths in history, but not every year.

DocB · Jul 13, 2015

The greatest advantage to carrying a 22 rim fire is your ability to carry literally hundreds of rounds in your pockets when you have to head for the hills. Try that with your 12 gage shotgun. Just as bad is heading out when the SHTF with your 45 or 40. It's all about the weight of the ammo. CCI ammo virtually never fails so load up on it. You have the flexibility with a 22 from having to kill anything from a deer down to squirrel. I have no problem with self defense using a 22 and some CCI Velocitors. A Smith & Wesson M17 is the best choice for all-purpose emergency carry. A Smith Kit Gun with a 2 or 4 inch barrel is perfect for self defense when loaded properly. When it all comes down to "the world having a really bad day" you'll be the one left with pockets full of ammo when the other "survivalists" are throwing their empty guns at the target. Carrying for self-defense is about being prepared for anything. The only gun that meets that requirement is a 22 revolver.

MattO · Jul 13, 2015

.22 ammo is the most unreliable ammo I have ever seen. It doesn't seem to matter what brand I buy, every time I go to the range with the .22 guns/rifles/AR that I am constantly fighting clearing chambers with things go click and not boom.

No way I want to be clearing a click when I needed to hear a boom.

Matt

4011 · Jul 13, 2015

Now you knew better than ask that question here. If your OK with it do it! 38 spl. Kills my hands and it won't get any better. When I can't take the pain anymore the 34 will be in my snubbyfan holster. If I go " I'll go out in a blaze of glory".

BAM-BAM · Jul 13, 2015

How much thinner is your .22 auto than say a single stack 3913?

shocker · Jul 13, 2015

I've had all manner of bulk ammo through my Model 63 and can't remember a misfire or dud. I had a Bersa 22 that was 100% reliable as well though I didn't put a huge number of rounds thru it.

I have a PMR 30, have fed it CCI or Hornady cartridges and it has been 100% reliable, even with not recommended bullet weights (less than 40 gr). This gun is pretty big but really thin. Haven't tried to CCW it but I wouldn't feel under gunned if I did.

Arik · Jul 13, 2015

KSDeputy said:
More people are killed by .22lr every year than any other caliber, but the stopping power is minimal. I have 4 handguns, and 3 rifles in this caliber. I carry a CS 45, however. I suggest as a minimum a .380 or .38 special.

That's because it's the most common caliber. If everyone carried a 22 then it would be a 100%. I wonder what the most common 22 gun that is used? Ruger? Would that mean Ruger is the most deadly handgun?

No I wouldn't rely on 22 unless no other options existed. If it ment I had to save up a little more money I would.

F75gunslinger · Jul 13, 2015

DocB said:
The greatest advantage to carrying a 22 rim fire is your ability to carry literally hundreds of rounds in your pockets when you have to head for the hills. Try that with your 12 gage shotgun. Just as bad is heading out when the SHTF with your 45 or 40. It's all about the weight of the ammo. CCI ammo virtually never fails so load up on it. You have the flexibility with a 22 from having to kill anything from a deer down to squirrel. I have no problem with self defense using a 22 and some CCI Velocitors. A Smith & Wesson M17 is the best choice for all-purpose emergency carry. A Smith Kit Gun with a 2 or 4 inch barrel is perfect for self defense when loaded properly. When it all comes down to "the world having a really bad day" you'll be the one left with pockets full of ammo when the other "survivalists" are throwing their empty guns at the target. Carrying for self-defense is about being prepared for anything. The only gun that meets that requirement is a 22 revolver.

I'm thinking he's talking semi-autos not revolvers. If it were up to me, thinking critically, there is no reason to carry a K frame 22 for SD when they're no lighter or small than a K frame 357 or 38. As far as carrying the 22 goes,I agree with reasons stated above. FTF issues common with 22, no big deal at the range. HUGE deal when someone is advancing. Another thing is that ANY SD situation will not go how you plan it in your mind.You can put a 22 round into the bullseye at the range all day, good on you. But at 3 am, in an alley ( or your hallway ), with someone coming at you, or shooting at you, that type of accuracy is almost impossible.Keep in mind that if it's in your hallway, you may still be trying to fully shake off the sleep you were just enjoying. They teach center of mass shooting to a LOT of police agencies because it's the biggest target, and one that your body, all amped up on adrenaline will find the easiest.Your fine trigger and accuracy skills decline rapidly under stress and adrenaline.For me, I'll go shotgun for the house, 45 when it's cool enough to allow an overshirt, and my 642 when it's warm.

Sorry for the long winded post.

Mainsail · Jul 13, 2015

I think I'm far more likely to actually discharge a handgun against a dog than a robber- that's the way it is where I live. Since the predominate threat has proven difficult to stop with a 9mm, I carry 10mm, .45acp, and recently .357 sig. I wouldn't consider .22 for a second.

I don't understand the thought process that led you to make that decision. Influenza can kill, but I'm not going to cough in a bad guy's face and then try to wait him out.

LoboGunLeather · Jul 13, 2015

star1 said:
seems like with the smaller cartridge they should be able to pack them in and get 20 to 30 rounds ...

The high-capacity pistols typically use magazines that are double-stack and single-feed. With rimless cases this works well at just about any angle. But the .22 rimfire cartridges have a case rim, so in order to work in a double-stack magazine the angle of the magazine in the pistol would have to be fairly steep so that the case rims would not interfere with each other in the magazine. The ergonomics of the pistol would have to be significantly different.

Not that it can't be done, but the market would have to include considerable demand for such a .22 pistol to justify the research and development to bring it to production.

rmcnelly · Jul 13, 2015

Nothing wrong with a mouse gun.

I have a Beretta 950BS on it's way to me (.25 ACP), which I plan on carrying in the summer when wearing light shorts. It's nice to debate the caliber wars, but I know I'd rather be armed with something. 8+1 rounds of .25 beats nothing, and the the 950 is reportedly reliable, accurate and can spit out 9 rounds in a very fast rate of fire.

I have an NAA .22 Magnum Sheriff, but manually cocking the hammer each shot would be too slow.

Switching to .22? Somebody stop me!

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