.22 Magnum Defense?

[shouldazagged]

"Knockdown power" is another myth, but I'd a lot rather have five or six rounds of .38 Special +P than seven or eight of .22 Magnum, in the extremely unlikely event that I was forced to defend myself from "two-legged varmints".

Less hurtful to the ears, too.

 

[smoothshooter]

A .22 Magnum at the muzzle is like a .22 LR at 100 yards.
Which is okay with me because I carry a .22 LR pistol sometimes and feel well-protected.
I don't think the .22 Magnum is enough of an increase in power over an LR in a pistol to be worth the added expense.
Besides, the Magnum in pistol length barrels has a higher-pitched muzzle blast that just tears my ears up if I don't have really good hearing protection. Feels louder to me than a .45 or a .223.

 

[Imissedagain]

It’s possible that the bullets in the 22Mag are of a different construction.

Since the 460 S&W became available, I had no reason to wildcat a 458WinMag short...... but making a 22MAG case that uses a SP Primer might be interesting.

 

[HardToHandle]

“.22 Magnum is Pretty Good” - the headline of Lucky Gunners article.
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/22-magnum-is-pretty-good/

I found the concept intriguing and the .22WMR to be an interesting round. Presently I find 30gr VMAX has best accuracy out of my NAA mini revolver. The VMAX bullet would not be my choice except it doesn’t seem to keyhole.

Recently picked up a 351C. To date, the ~40gr Browning FMJ seems to shoot most accurately or at least to point of aim. When the cold weather moderates, I plan to test four additional loads, including the Gold Dot. I am naturally inclined towards a deeper penetrating FMJ, but they are hard to find and the 40gr Gold Dot has decent gel penetration.

 

[Imissedagain]

One of your photos shows the Hornady Critical Defense round. Be advised that this round has keyholed at ranges as close as 6 feet from the bbls of 3 H-S Derringers and one NAA Mini Revolver in my experience.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Appreciate that and will pick some up to try.
Have you tried any other short barreled 22Mag ammo?
Thx

 

[brucev]

Your Ruger SS would do just fine for woods walking and SD against two or most four legged animate objects. Penetration would not be much of an issue. The Hornady Flex-Tip would just about guarantee the bullet would open up. On two legged problems, a round placed just below a line drawn from the arm pit level would cause extreme damage, probably fatal. Getting good hits with the Ruger SS would not likely be difficult as it is a well made revolver that has for many folks proven to be an excellent choice for being out and about in the back forty. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Little bullet can bounce off rib, sternum, skull and not penetrate to the vitals.

Pretty sure that'd make the vast majority of aggressors decide they had something else to do at the moment . . .

 

[Kanewpadle]

The 22 mag would be the only rimfire round that I would ever consider carrying. And it would surely be a hollow point. Probably Gold Dot.

 

[Mule Packer]

First off, let me say that I love the .22 magnum.

That being said, let me clarify. Out of a handgun, the .22 magnum, in my opinion, is really nothing more than a souped-up .22 LR. Now remember, that's just my opinion. Out of a rifle, however, the .22 magnum is a whole different breed of cat. That's when it really comes into its own.

Out to 150 yards, it's one of my favorite varmint cartridges. It'll take down everything from coyotes to ground squirrels and it does it with panache.

My favorite rifle in .22 magnum is the Winchester 9422M.

However, when it comes to personal defense, I prefer something with a little more punch. Not saying that the .22 magnum wouldn't settle someone's hash if need be. Just saying that for a serious defensive round, if given a choice, I'd want something bigger. I often take my .22 magnum rifle with me to camp, but it's only for varmints or for plinking. A .45 Colt rides on my hip for defense.

Again, that's just my two cents worth...and it's probably not even worth that.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

its still a rimfire so I'd opt for a centerfire anything...

 

[sigp220.45]

The .22 Magnum was a popular people-shooting round on the reservations I worked. It certainly stopped every fight I saw it used in, sometimes fatally but always decisively.

I don’t think it really matters what load you use.

 

[357-RevolverGuy]

I'm a fan of the .22 magnum. It's just a fun round to shoot and I am always amazed at how well it performs out of a rifle. I once took out a large beaver with a 22 mag Savage.

I own several rifles and revolvers in this caliber. I would stay away from the Winchester PDX. A few years ago, I had issues with light strikes on all of my rifles and the rims caused the cylinder to jam on a Ruger Single Six. I contacted Winchester, sent them the boxes I bought, and they refunded me with a check. But they never gave me any reason as to why the ammo was defective. So I don't trust it anymore.

Hornady's Critical Defense and Speer Gold Dot are designed for shorter barrels. I have shot both and they are reliable. Also if you can find it Federal makes a 50 grain hollow point. It's just hard to find. Some are going to knock what you carry but I believe carry what you shoot best and don't worry about what people think. A gun on your hip is better than no gun at all.

 

[Univibe]

Pretty sure that'd make the vast majority of aggressors decide they had something else to do at the moment . . .

You'd be amazed at what people can do who don't fit into that vast majority. Michael Platt is your worst nightmare. Michael Brown at Ferguson. Posthumous medal of honor winners.

The point is, shoot enough gun so you don't have to depend on their deciding to stop trying to kill you.

 

[Kanewpadle]

You'd be amazed at what people can do who don't fit into that vast majority. Michael Platt is your worst nightmare. Michael Brown at Ferguson. Posthumous medal of honor winners.

The point is, shoot enough gun so you don't have to depend on their deciding to stop trying to kill you.

So who decides what gun is enough? You? What are your credentials? Defend yourself with a gun?

 

[The_Truth]

The only pistol chambered in 22WMR worth carrying for defense would be a PMR30.

Used to have one. It was fun! I love 22WMR. Just not for "social work."

 

[Muss Muggins]

No, I wouldn’t be. The remainder of your comment has been duly noted . . .

You'd be amazed at what people can do who don't fit into that vast majority.

 

[keith44spl]

I have in the past carried one of those lit'l American Arms 22 magnum
in my shirt pocket as a last ditch bug.

But, now that I'm not working in the public, I sumtimes carry this one.

22 Super Jet Magnum.....I don't know about all this knock down or stopping power.
But, I believe it'd bite a right smart.

.

 

[BAM-BAM]

According to "Ballistic by the Inch"....... a .22 mag out of a 16-18 inch barrel has the ft lb of energy of a 9mm...... so my choice is a Ruger American compact rifle .....9 rounds of .22 magnum for 4 and 2 legged varmints ..... for walking in Penn's Woods

As I posted above I think the .22 magnum (in a rifle) is a great varmint round..... that if necessary can be utilized for personal defense.

That said I'm in MulePacker's camp........even if I've got my Ruger or CZ .22magnum rifle ....... I've almost always have either my 3"60-10 or 3" 66 on my belt.

 

[SuperMan]

Last three people I saw killed while in LE were all with .22 Long Rifle...

One was shot in the head and went right down never to get up again.

Another was shot in the back right into the kidey. He ran in a 6' circle and dropped. I rolled up on him right after he hit the ground and was able to keep him alive till the medics got there but he died at the hospital.

Last guy was shot several times from his upper thigh to belly button. He turned, took one step and went down, got up made it 10' and went down again....he died in the hospital....one of the bullets clipped a major artery...oil pressure light came on and engine seized...

.22 Magnum from a 4" handgun will run in the 1400 fps range...more velocity in some cases than .22 LR from a rifle...

As to shooting without hearing protection...in a crisis you won't even hear the round go off.... If you are shooting recreationally, .22 LRs from a handgun can ruin your hearing....

Bob

 

[Muss Muggins]

After being sidetracked by the caliber snob, I forgot to mention that I carry the Hornady Critical Defense 45 grain FTX in my NAA and my Ruger LCR. I'm a huge fan of the Critical Defense/Duty line, and that's all I carry for SD . . .