22 WMR defense?

beagleye · Jan 2, 2020

I got to shoot a CZ 512 semi auto in 22 WMR recently.

We were lighting up terra cotta pots at 50 yards- 4-5 inch targets. It was easy to unload 10 shots in just a few seconds (under 5), and accuracy was excellent! Seems like a vicious killer. The 40 grain bullets were advertised at 1900FPS.

While the energy maybe slightly behind a 9mm, if accuracy counts for killing power, and it does, 10 shots of that delivered quickly would probably work pretty well. I kept imagining being shot 10 times with that, not a pretty picture. Buckshot on steroids.

One question is when would I grab a rifle, instead of a handgun for defense, maybe never, but maybe if there were unwelcome and unfriendly visitors on my farm, 85 acres of pastures and forest. But, I would not feel naked with a gun like that.

And I like CZ too. I wish the receiver was steel. I am interested in what y'all think, especially if it encourages me to buy another gun.

bigwheelzip · Jan 2, 2020

If the polymer lower bothers you, likely it will always bother you a little bit. Can you be happy looking past the polymer and appreciate the job it does?

My Ruger American is MOA which is great, but that polymer brings it down a notch in my mind.

beagleye · Jan 2, 2020

bigwheelzip said:
If the polymer lower bothers you, likely it will always bother you a little bit. Can you be happy looking past the polymer and appreciate the job it does?

My Ruger American is MOA which is great, but that polymer brings it down a notch in my mind.

You're right, it'll bother me, down a notch for sure> I tend think of of my guns as heirlooms. But I can get past if for the right tool. I carry a cz RAMI, and for me it doesn't qualify as a heirloom, just too ugly, but I love it cause it's a great tool. So yeah, down a notch, but I think I could get used to it, as with my 9mm EDC.

armorer951 · Jan 2, 2020

Any thoughts on the Ruger 5-7? (5.7x28) Sounds like the ballistics are similar. Pretty expensive to shoot I would imagine.

HardToHandle · Jan 2, 2020

I don’t want to be on the other end of the CZ 512 in able hands.

For years I kept a 10/22 as my HD gun. Low recoil, decent capacity, accurate and handy to a fault. I expect the CZ 512 is similar but with a better cartridge.

Historically, the 5.56x45mm more or less evolved from the Light Rifle concept. .22 WMR is not at that velocity, but came out of the same time period of the 1950’s. Small bullets going fast were catnip for military futurists. They also have civil applications.

beagleye · Jan 2, 2020

armorer951 said:
Any thoughts on the Ruger 5-7? (5.7x28) Sounds like the ballistics are similar. Pretty expensive to shoot I would imagine.

No- so little knowledge on that and no exposure. But I will check it out. I think what really impressed me was the accuracy and speed combined! If the 5-7 offers that I am interested. Do they offer that in rifles?

misswired · Jan 2, 2020

The CZ 512 is one of my favorite rifles. For a semi 22wmr.....it runs flawless. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

beagleye · Jan 2, 2020

HardToHandle said:
I don’t want to be on the other end of the CZ 512 in able hands.

For years I kept a 10/22 as my HD gun. Low recoil, decent capacity, accurate and handy to a fault. I expect the CZ 512 is similar but with a better cartridge.

Historically, the 5.56x45mm more or less evolved from the Light Rifle concept. .22 WMR is not at that velocity, but came out of the same time period of the 1950’s. Small bullets going fast were catnip for military futurists. They also have civil applications.

Yes, a 10/22 would be similar.

beagleye · Jan 2, 2020

misswired said:
The CZ 512 is one of my favorite rifles. For a semi 22wmr.....it runs flawless. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

I wish they hadn't discontinued the carbine model!

Protocall_Design · Jan 2, 2020

I have a 7 shot .22 Mag S&W J frame revolver. It shoots accurately, is small and light, low recoil. It makes a great carry gun. They also made an 8 shot .22 Long Rifle one. I normally carry something bigger, but this one would be way better than nothing or only a knife.

weatherby · Jan 2, 2020

misswired said:
The CZ 512 is one of my favorite rifles. For a semi 22wmr.....it runs flawless. Wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

I have an old H&R 22 mag that does that also.
Any semi -auto 22 mag that chews em up and spits em out is aces in my book.
The gun is my bobcat/ coyote first pick.

Valmet · Jan 2, 2020

Personally, I don’t have use for anything smaller than 9mm or .38 Spl in a ccw/HD gun. Would a 22WMR be adequate? Maybe. I prefer ammo and loads that have proven track records myself. Even in a long gun.

That said, if one can make consistent hits with it and chooses to carry it or call on it as an HD long gun, go for it.

Marshal Tom · Jan 2, 2020

Check out a Kel Tec CLR30. 30 rds of .22mag with a collapsible stock.

Echo40 · Jan 2, 2020

While the .22WMR out of a pistol can be effective for self-defense, it is important to note that the advertized velocities and calculated energy-foot-pounds on the box are most likely out of a 16"+ Barrel, not a 2"+ Barrel.

So yeah, don't expect to get 1900fps out of a pistol.

beagleye · Jan 2, 2020

Marshal tom said:
Check out a Kel Tec CLR30. 30 rds of .22mag with a collapsible stock.

I'll do that, thanks for tip.

misswired · Jan 3, 2020

Dirty Harry Callahan said:
While the .22WMR out of a pistol can be effective for self-defense, it is important to note that the advertized velocities and calculated energy-foot-pounds on the box are most likely out of a 16"+ Barrel, not a 2"+ Barrel.

So yeah, don't expect to get 1900fps out of a pistol.

I use Winchester Varmit HV advertised at 2250 FPS to set off tannerite requiring a minimum of 2000 FPS. That’s out of the 512. I’ll try it with a pistol for kicks next time, probably a waste of tannerite though.

silentflyer · Jan 3, 2020

Hornady has a Critical Defense 45 grain load for shorter pistol barrels,1280 fps out of a 4" barrel. A faster burning powder tailored to the handgun needs.

deadear dan · Jan 3, 2020

If you are thinking about "10 shots quickly" you better have a damn good defense in court to convince an Oprah watching jury why you shot him in the back. He will be turning faster than you can turn your finger off.

mikerjf · Jan 3, 2020

Think about corrosion, it makes alloy or poly a little more palatable.

Farmer17 · Jan 3, 2020

Bill Jordan said his idea of the ultimate back up gun was a Smith Airweight Chief Special in .22 magnum and he tried really hard to get S&W to build one. I never did understand his reasons why that would be better than a .38 Special.

22 WMR defense?

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