22 Magnum viability or not?

[Data]

I am wanting to know what y'all think about the 22 Magnum as a viable option for concealed carry. Anyone here have experience or extensive knowledge about this particular round? It appears that the major ammo companies are producing and marketing 22 Magnum rounds for self-defense. i.e. Federal, Hornady, Winchester, CCI / Speer. I am seriously thinking about getting myself a S&W 351 C or the Ruger LCR chambered in 22 WMR.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject matter.

Thanks,
Data

 

[ken158]

My thought is why carry anything rimfire for SD when you can get the same size and weight in a centerfire. If you need to use a handgun for SD, then you need stopping power - NOW.

 

[cadmike]

Those 2 firearms you mention are both excellent choices for those who may be recoil sensitive, in my opinion. 8 rounds of 22 magnum up close is no joke.

 

[Rpg]

I don’t think the trivial increase in velocity the 22 mag offers over a 22 long rifle in a revolver is worth the trouble. It’s much more expensive, difficult to find, uncomfortably loud and offers nothing at self defense ranges the 22 lr doesn’t.

All you get is a very loud revolver: so loud as to make it very uncomfortable to shoot.

In the self defense realm, I’d much prefer the 22 long rifle to the magnum variety. They’re much easier to shoot quickly and precisely than the magnum.

An individual with good skills is formidably armed with a 22 long rifle handgun.

The 22 magnum is worth having in a rifle, but not in a handgun.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I like the .22 mag out of a 16" barrel ..... muzzle energy equal to a 9mm

2" J-frame..... any .38 special load even RNL or wadcutter !

guarantees a .38 hole..... shot placement is King!

 

[Bullet Bob]

If you have a gun, at least you meet the first rule. People today make a religion out of calibers and techniques (and the personalities who advocate them), but I'm a polite person, so I don't discuss religion or politics in public.

 

[FLJoe]

My wife and I did a lot of research on this for her. She wants a J frame but can't consistently shoot my 38 specials, even with light loads, so a 22 seemed a good choice. In looking at the ballistics on a 2" barrel there's basically no difference between 22LR and magnum. The Federal Punch 22 LR ammo gives a consistent 13" of penetration with a 2" barrel. We're going to be ordering her a 43C very soon. I love the fact that ammo for it is so cheap and plentiful. You can buy a 50 round box of the Punch for only $11 directly from Federal. I've already bought a bunch in anticipation of getting the gun, and I can shoot it in the 22 rifle. I wouldn't want to face someone armed with 8 shots of 1100 FPS 22 caliber bullets.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Welcome to the forum. I have come to believe that a carry gun is for punching holes and making that feller stop what he's doing and make him want to be somewhere else. Your choices check those boxes.

Tip-o-the-hat to our member from flyover country.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I own a number of 22LR and one 22 Mag, 651 Handguns.
I also like Punch Ammo, prefer Ruger LCP or Model 63 2 in for concealed carry.

 

[Autonomous]

.22 magnum needs barrel length to do its job.
You will trade velocity for noise with a handgun.

 

[malph]

There are .22 Magnum defensive loads now that are designed for best possible performance out of handgun barrels.

Is it enough to matter? You be the judge.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

If you have a gun, at least you meet the first rule. People today make a religion out of calibers and techniques (and the personalities who advocate them), but I'm a polite person, so I don't discuss religion or politics in public.

Best answer in this post.

 

[RCL-09]

Check out Lucky Gunner Lab

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/

An in depth comparison of the two.

The Mag. definitely holds an edge

 

[Rodfac]

As an 'intimidator', a .22 chambered handgun works as well as most anything else...the problem arises when intimidation is not enough and the 'victim' must shoot to stop an attack. Most training sites have advised to carry the largest caliber that one can shoot well. YMMv, Rod

 

[URIT]

Welcome aboard from coastal North Carolina.

My neighbor has a NAA .22 magnum mini revolver that he's been carrying in his back pocket for years.

He says if you're within beer breath distance from someone who wants to kill you that you are better off than someone who left their bigger gun at home. Poking an eye out with a .22 magnum can be effective.

Hickok 45 did a video on his mini revolver.

 

[Mule Packer]

I love the .22 magnum cartridge. There...I said it. Also, I have two revolvers chambered in .22 WMR...a Ruger Single Six and a Smith and Wesson model 48. And I love shooting both of them. Now, the question....would I use a .22 magnum as my primary concealed carry firearm? Probably not.

Here's why. The .22 magnum chambered in a short-barreled revolver is really not much more than a souped up .22LR. Seriously, that's about it. And there are other, more effective calibers chambered in small handguns that are much better suited for what you have in mind.

Now, when you chamber the .22 magnum in a rifle, you've got a whole new ballgame. You've got a great shooting varmint rifle. I use mine for coyotes...which, by the way, we seem to have in abundance this year. Do I still carry a .22 WMR revolver along as well? You betcha!! But for concealed carry...probably not.

Just my view from the saddle.

 

[Pisgah]

I can invent a half-dozen reasons why the .22 WMR is unsuitable for defense, but in the end I wouldn't want to be shot with one, so if you've got a good, reliable .22 magnum and want to use it for such, have at it.

 

[Data]

Understandable; however, I would probably consider the (CF) .327 Magnum if (SD) ammo wasn't so scarce. It would be nice to train with it too. In contrast, the .22 WMR is much, much more abundant in JHPs & FMJs and readily available in my region. The CF is less to be desired, but in a revolver it's nice to know that you don't have to go through a series of malfunction Clearance Manipulations... when dealing with a squib load. Just pull the trigger and move onto the next round. It's that simple. Back in the day, I've had my share of Stove Pipes, Double Feeds and Squib loads with respect to owning a Full (Gov.) sized 1911... which of course resulted in a major change of caliber and different type of semi-auto. aka Glock 9mm. Due to being a fragile old man and being weak as a result of a related health issue, I have once again find myself opting for a better firearm that requires less dexterity skill or skills and more use of gross movement. Hence, the Revolver. No slide to rack, No round to chamber, no clearing out a SP,DF or Squib malfunction. Love the simplicity of a double action revolver. Well, that's my two cents worth on the matter. ;-)

 

[Talldog]

My wife carries either a Ruger LCRx snubby or LCRx 3" in .22WMR with Hornady Critical Defense. She just bought a 351PD, and I suspect that it will become her EDC. That's the caliber she likes and shoots well, so that's what it is. I've been to a few SD classes over the past 5 years or so, and every time I go, I ask the instructor's opinion of .22WMR, and none of them has had anything bad to say about it.

 

[Luke Duke]

A .22 Mag out of a any handgun is an ear splitter. I'm sure a snub .22 Mag would ring your bell. My 4 5/8 Ruger SS without hearing protection hurts. Its a different loud. But, none the less I would carry one if that's what I wanted, and wouldn't feel under guned