Would you own an M&P22 For Self Defense?

.22lr would be last choice for most people, however it is still better than no gun. In a defensive situation I would use what ever was available at the time!
 
My .22's are for practice, not self defense.

I don't consider the .22 cal. round to have sufficient shock value even with well placed multiple shots. IMO you stand a high probability of getting return fire even with most well placed .22 cal. shots.

If a .22 cal was the only firearm available I would use it, but that is not likely as I remain well armed with better defense calibers.
 
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Plus this particular .22 doesn't have the best rep for reliability.

Unless you had an extremely unique situation, no reason to not go with a 9mm or bigger. Gun is the same size and perhaps most importantly of all, you want RELIABLE.

M&P22 is a nice plinker, it's not a serious defensive weapon.
 
Better than nothing, You can use the gun as a blunt object.

.22 rim fire is about as reliable as someone on craigslist coming to pick up an item on time.
 
The only benefit I see to the M&P .22 as a defensive weapon is that it's a gun. Because it's the same size as a .40 or 9mm, it has similar shock factor when presented. Of course, so does a M&P pellet gun.

It's not much. If someone were to call your bluff, you're screwed. I still think it has little value as a defensive weapon.
 
If I ever had to use a 22lr for self defense it would be out of a rifle, not out of a pistol. If you have to use a lowly 22 you may want to use stingers out of a 16 inch barreled firearm, that has a 25 round capacity, and that has a stock for added stability and accuracy imo. (A red dot wouldnt hurt either) I wouldn't count on a bluff to deter a person though. (A 22lr that looks like a centerfire firearm)

A ruger 10/22 might be a better choice for this, at least you could club somebody with it, or jab with the barrel if you really had to. If it's a shtf scenerio I would probably want the Ruger since you can actually stock pile spare parts and you wont even need the warranty lol.

I seen the M&P22 as a practice tool, it's too fragile for carry and self defense use in my opinion. Also I noticed if something is on the Picatiny rail too tight it messes with the recoil spring/guide rods.
 
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Like most said..if its all you got go for it...remember...shot placement is key in any defense situation....shot in the arm with a .45 or shot in the solar plexus with a .22 LR you tell me!
 
Rimfires aren't reliable enough to trust your life to them.

Get her a M&P9mm and she'll love it. ;)

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No..22 is not a reliable enough round imho.380 or bigger and practice alot.it should be whatever caliber she feels most comfortable with and enjoys practicing with.
 
TO OP: What do you carry? Let her try that first. My 5'2" wife carries and shoots well a Colt Officer 1911 45 ACP. I have taught a number of women ( and men ) to shoot, start with 22 lr, eyes ears, most people will be shooting 9mm, 38 spl without problems in one day. Would you want a 22 lr for SD?? Be Safe,
 
My wife's carry piece is a ruger 22 LCR. She keeps the m&p 22 in her night stand. Both loaded with cci stingers. Why? Because she is very comfortable and accurate with them.

I've seen her shoot um and wouldn't want to be on the receiving end!


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Would you have an MP22 for self defense?

Yeah, I've read several articles lately comparing calibers, and stopping power. True a .22lr is not going to knock someone off their feet, but it will usually make them change their mind on continuing whatever illegal activity they are perpetrating. With the first shot (any caliber) unless the criminal a seasoned combat vet or full of dope, they're outta there! Now I do keep a .22WRM revolver in the house with 30 gr HP's and would not hesitate to us it! Thank you. Let the little woman carry what she is comfortable with! I smell gallons of testosterone oozing from this thread! Give her a break, guys!!
 
Dont sell your woman short... Remember, she can drive, eat, apply makeup, talk on the phone, and get the toy for jr from under the seat, all while making it through rush hour. Make her relize the potental of a defensive caliber. Have her shoot something reactive, say a watermellon, with the 22, makes a cute hole. Then put a 40 in her hands, have her shoot the same mellon, and watch the sinister grin come across her face. Worked with my wife, and she carries that damn USP 40 everywhere she can.
 
It wouldn't be my first choice but I used a 22 Hi-Standard, along with my 12 ga., as home protection for alot of years. Have always been more worried about surprises than firepower.
 
If your wife hasn't had enough or lessons to control a 9mm, do you seriously think as adrenaline spikes and terror grabs hold that her shot placement is going to be surgical?

Training and a 9mm in the home. I'm not going to argue about .380 - it's the minimum.

.22 is better than nothing, but that's like saying drinking pee is better than nothing. I would rather have taken a water bottle into the desert.

Training, training, training. Then practice practice practice.

For the record, I can think of two very petite ladies that can outshoot me with a .45. Her bodysize has nothing to do with it, training and practice does.

Biggest mistake I see boyfriends and husbands make is selecting a firearm for the girlfriend or husband. Let her pick her own gun - she is the one shooting it - and do not let the gun store guy patronize her or talk her into something little because she is female. She will find what's the right size for her at the range hiring a couple of guns she likes the feel of.
 
Dont sell your woman short... Remember, she can drive, eat, apply makeup, talk on the phone, and get the toy for jr from under the seat, all while making it through rush hour. Make her relize the potental of a defensive caliber. Have her shoot something reactive, say a watermellon, with the 22, makes a cute hole. Then put a 40 in her hands, have her shoot the same mellon, and watch the sinister grin come across her face. Worked with my wife, and she carries that damn USP 40 everywhere she can.

Oh, yes. This.
 
I would never rely on a rimfire for self defense. The inconsistency of reliable ignition alone is enough to look at bigger centerfire calibers. The round itself as a stopper is another story no matter what SD shootings are quoted using .22lr.

I'm sure your wife can handle a .380 at a minimum and there are a few out there big enough to reduce recoil if she's sensitive to it. Teach her proper grip plus trigger pull and recoil will get reduced greatly and accuracy increased. She may even be able to shoot 9mm or bigger, but take her to a range that rents or shoot something you already own.
 
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I wouldn't hesitate to use a .22 for PD if I HAD TO. But I wouldn't go to a store and purchase one specifically for that purpose. There are too many smaller handguns available in most every caliber now that there is no reason to compromise her safety. Hornady now has a softer shooting Critical Defense loads designed for women. I'm sure others will follow.

The only downfall with larger caliber semi autos is that they can be difficult to rack the slide. But through practice and repetition she could/should become proficient with one.

With the current crop of self defense carry guns out there, I see no reason to use anything less than a .380 and more preferably, a 9mm.

My wife uses a 9mm Shield (with standard Critical Defense ammo). It's a great piece for her as she likes the idea of an external safety. Not my first choice but that's what works for her. She also has a Ruger SR22. It's a great plinker and a blast to shoot, but it ain't a CC self defense gun by any stretch of the imagination.
 

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