22 Mag for back up concealed carry.

[ottodog]

I have a S&W 351 PD that I am going to carry in my front pocket as a backup or sometimes my only concealed weapon.

I would like suggestions which 22 WMR would be best suited for this purpose.

CCI makes a general statement that 22WMR is not recommended in revolvers. I have emailed CCI asking to explain but get no response. Does anyone out there know why this statement is made?

Thanks

 

[tpd223]

I'm pretty sure due to ignition reliability issues.

 

[ken158]

So, are you saying you have a CCW and want to carry two? If so, what is your primary and why would you carry a second? A .22 mag revolver is a poor fight stopper and no easier to carry than a .38 revolver.

 

[OKFC05]

I have only one recommendation: S&W 442 loaded with Speer SB +P .38. Now that's a reasonable pocket defense gun.

 

[ray45]

I hope someone has a good answere for this one. I would not think it would be dangerous because of to high pressure in a revolver.
I know it does not feed well in most pistols.
Could it be that the powder they use does not lend itself to short barrels? I don't think that is the case. I know they work well in short barreled TC handguns. So, go figure!

 

[jimmyj]

IMHO- I would not depend on a "Rim Fire" for defense.

 

[n4zov]

I have a S&W 351 PD that I am going to carry in my front pocket as a backup or sometimes my only concealed weapon.

I would like suggestions which 22 WMR would be best suited for this purpose.

CCI makes a general statement that 22WMR is not recommended in revolvers. I have emailed CCI asking to explain but get no response. Does anyone out there know why this statement is made?

Thanks

This quote is out of the CCI catalog in reference to their .22 WRM ammunition:

"†—not for revolvers. Most 22 WRF revolvers have undersized bores that cannot use a jacketed bullet. Performance data derived from industry test barrels; provided for reference. Velocities from production fireams may vary. Specifications subject to change without notice."

 

[NZshooter]

IMHO- I would not depend on a "Rim Fire" for defense.

Me neither, I know a cop that carries one of those little single action Freedom Arms 22WMR's on his ankle as a BUG (off duty at least). He's otherwise very knowledgable on guns and shooting but I just don't get that one.

 

[Jellybean]

When I looked at the CCI website, they specifically stated "WRF" in their warning, which is not the same as WMR by the way. They are apparently referencing the old Colt revolvers that were chambered in .22WRF and not the newer revolvers chambered in .22 magnum.

Aside from that I'd always heard that the .22 magnum doesn't give you much more than a .22 lr in a handgun, other than muzzle flash, due to the burn rates of the powders used.

 

[ray45]

When I looked at the CCI website, they specifically stated "WRF" in their warning, which is not the same as WMR by the way. They are apparently referencing the old Colt revolvers that were chambered in .22WRF and not the newer revolvers chambered in .22 magnum.

Aside from that I'd always heard that the .22 magnum doesn't give you much more than a .22 lr in a handgun, other than muzzle flash, due to the burn rates of the powders used.

Good catch Jellybean......22 WRF and .22 WMR are not the same.

I would think .22 WMR from a short revolver barrel (6"+) would give velocity more like a .22 LR fired in a rifle.

 

[flop-shank]

If it's a primary, get a bigger cartridge. If you're hiding a .22 mag. that size as a BUG, the same applies.

As far as the ammo goes, I've had nothing but 100% sure ignition with the .22 mag. TNTs I use in my NAA Black Widow. I carry that gun as a deep concealment BUG, or a third gun when not at work.

See the thread Perma-Gel Test Results for info on a couple .22 mag. rounds in gel.

As far as carrying more than one gun, that makes perfect sense. Pretty much every name gunfighter adheres to that practice. Guns can fail, hands and guns can get shot and having a gun available to each hand has huge tactical advantages. The fastest reload is a second gun.

 

[Frailer]

Aside from that I'd always heard that the .22 magnum doesn't give you much more than a .22 lr in a handgun, other than muzzle flash, due to the burn rates of the powders used.

I'd heard the same thing, and it's largely true in that the difference between the velocities of the two rounds fired from a handgun isn't nearly as great--not by a longshot--as the differences in velocity between these rounds fired from a rifle.

Nevertheless, based on the ballistics data on NAA's web site the differences when fired from their itty bitty revolvers is still nothing to sneeze at (on the order of a 15-25% boost when you account for differences in bullet weight).

I own a Black Widow and I actually view its disproportionately large flash and bang as something of a plus. Others have compared these with "noise cricket" from Men in Black; there's some truth to that.

 

[Erich]

I've shot all manner of 40- and one sort of 45-grain .22 mag ammo thru my 4" Bearcat (after Mr. Bowen converted it). All was jacketed except for the 45-grain stuff, which is Winchester's cheapie load. The Winchester JHPs and FMJs give the best velocities of those, at 1465 fps average. Also are far more accurate than the other loadings. You'll need to chrono a bunch of different rounds through your gun's barrel to see what works best for you, though: .22 revolvers of all stripes are notoriously individual regarding their load preference.

38-44HD45 gave me some lighter-weight stuff to test later. But I've shot several hundred rounds of the CCI, Federal, Rem and Winchester stuff thru the Ruger's bore (remember the new Bearcats were brought back with the intent of being .22 LR/Mag compatible) and never had a single problem. I don't buy the "don't shoot it from a revolver" statement. Call S&W and ask them if it's a problem to shoot - they designed the gun.

 

[310nightguard]

The NAA website has actual ballistics for various 22wmr loads from short barrel revolvers

 

[growr]

I have dropped a number of whitetail and mule deer with a .22Mag and found it to be very effective. Here in Montana a .22Mag is a heavily favored cartridge for poachers. (according to a good friend of mine that recently retired from Montana Fish & Game after 30 years as a warden). I once asked him where you would have to shoot an elk with a .22mag...his answer...pretty much anywhere in the eyeball works up to about 25-50 yards.
Randy

 

[growr]

PS...a 22 mag in a handgun WILL penetrate kevlar...many do not know this.
Randy

 

[flop-shank]

I'll take the .22 mag. TNTs I use in my Black Widow over any .22 long rifle by a longshot. IIRC, that cartridge went through four layers of denim/Perma-Gel expanded beautifully to .32" and penetrated ~9" deep. That gun is also scary accurate, half the weight of a P3AT and even easier to hide.

 

[n4zov]

When I looked at the CCI website, they specifically stated "WRF" in their warning, which is not the same as WMR by the way. They are apparently referencing the old Colt revolvers that were chambered in .22WRF and not the newer revolvers chambered in .22 magnum.

You are absolutely correct according to this email from the good lady at CCI Tech Services, so I stand corrected:

The warning ("Not for use in revolvers") applies to CCI 22 WRF product ,
our part 0069, not to 22 our CCI WMR products.

Shortly after the release of our CCI WRF, it became evident that WRF
revolvers had small bore diameters along with questionable
barrel/cylinder gaps. We saw quite a few bullets stuck in the bore.
Not a good thing. Linda


Linda Olin
CCI/Speer Technical Services
2299 Snake River Ave.
Lewiston, ID 83501