22 Magnum viability or not?

[RoyM52]

When buying 22 Mag ammo, I have always bought cci mini mags in the past. {the exception being when my kids were little and learning how to shoot, with unlimited ammo, supplied by me}

I bought a several bricks of Speer Gold dot short barrel self defense 22 Mag ammo after they came out with it. {I like it for my 351pd} So after many years of firing the cci's {use them in my 9422M that I bought back in 1970 something} I would like to say that the reliability of rim-fire ammo seems to be more of a myth than fact. {and yet many just state it as a known by everyone fact}

I do realize that the **** bulk 22 lr we use to buy for next to nothing back in the 50's and 60's etc was **** and had dependability issues. I put that down to what we bought, not necessarily to the dependability of all rim-fire ammo.

There has also been dependability issues with center-fire ammo sourced from dubious companies for little or no money.

So, I'm just saying that this known to everyone fact should be re-evaluated . Cheap ammo is cheap ammo whether rim-fire or not. Duds go with that , not just because it's a rim-fire. {My 2 cents YMMV}

 

[Talldog]

I would like to say that the reliability of rim-fire ammo seems to be more of a myth than fact. {and yet many just state it as a known by everyone fact}

My wife has been carrying .22WMR revolvers for several years. She uses premium ammo, CCI Maxi Mags and Hornady Critical Defense, and through many thousands of rounds has never had a failure of any kind.

 

[GaryS]

The reliability issues I had were with the 351C, not the ammunition. I carry Hornady Critical Defense 45gr rounds when I carry the 351C.

5 Star Firearms makes a reasonably priced speed loader too.

It's not my first choice but there are times when a small light weight piece is the best one.

 

[Banjo 10-79]

Onion field insurance. I’m knocking on 50 and started out in the wonderful world of police work in the mid 1990’s. I was taught there are duty guns, back up guns and hideout guns. A 22 mag would qualify as a hideout gun. I’d change the ammo after each shift and also pack a stiff fixed blade as an additional insurance policy. As far as hearing damage goes, well I’d rather be deaf than dead but that’s just me. No one ever accused me of being particularly smart.

 

[Mark8]

Haven't shot THAT much .22 WMR, but I haven't had a single failure to fire so far, ever (mostly CCI and Hornady). So while reliability might be lower than with center fire cartdriges, it's still good enough not to worry about it in my opinion, especially in a revolver.

 

[jcs266]

You won't even hear it when using it under the stress of an encounter. It's a muffled thump

The NAA .22 Mag is in my pocket 24/7 simply because it fits there like a pocket knife and is exactly zero encumbrance to my daily routine. Even in my PJ's it's in the pocket. Do I carry something else? Of course, but I'm NEVER without the .22 Mag NAA.

 

[Gamecock]

You won't even hear it when using it under the stress of an encounter. It's a muffled thump

The NAA .22 Mag is in my pocket 24/7 simply because it fits there like a pocket knife and is exactly zero encumbrance to my daily routine. Even in my PJ's it's in the pocket. Do I carry something else? Of course, but I'm NEVER without the .22 Mag NAA.

Interesting. Which model do you have? How does it shoot?

 

[hardluk1]

I would find carrying a 22mag to be a rare day for my wife or I buy we do have a ruger revolver a henry 24" level rifle and a 5" ria 1911 in it with plenty of ammo . Killed a number of hogs in my younger days with a 22mag bolt rilfe and a few deer but for me to carry a 22mag for defense would be only after I run out of everything else .

It is easy and fun though to place 10 or 12 rounds of 16 on a 6" steel plate at 15 yards just as fast as my finger will stroke that trigger .

 

[tmd17]

First, the proper choice is what she likes and will carry. ...

(Emphasis added)

I am of the school that says the largest caliber she can shoot accurately and will carry is her best option. I would hate to know all I had to carry for self defense was a rimfire pistol though. Most I would hope for is to cause enough problems for my attacker to allow me to get the heck out of Dodge.

I

 

[10Mad]

I really like my 351 PD. The best feature is it’s so easy to carry you will always have it with you. I believe that with modern ammo made for self defense it is a fine tool. If you’re worried about being too small of a caliber, just shoot ‘‘em twice.

 

[Gene L]

I have a lot of respect for the .22 WMR. My only problem with it is that it's too large for an automatic and a revolver is a bit largish for CC.

Not long ago at my LGS a guy was handing out there and he had a one of those micro revolvers (North American Arms?). He thought it ideal for a pocket gun. He said it was getting "2200 fps". An old guy, even older than me. I don't know what the velocity would be...I'm sure someone does. I would think less than 1000 fps. You hear a lot of stories at a LGS.

 

[alwslate]

The .22 Mag would be better than nothing if that's all you have but there is no reason to deliberately choose one. The .22 Mag really is a rifle ctg. I have chronographed some out of my 4&5/8" Ruger Single Six and there isn't much velocity gain over the .22 LRHV rounds. I don't really understand why so many people seem to want .22Mag revolvers because the small increase in velocity doesn't justify cost of the ammo.

 

[Naphtali]

Noise!

My dad bought a High Standard 22RFM derringer long ago. After our one and only range session using Winchester 40-grain ammunition, it was disposed of. Muzzle blast was unbearable. And accompanying the noise was a sheet of fire that projected about 18 inches from the muzzles. So whether or not the caliber was more than marginally desirable as a concealment self-defense handgun was irrelevant. For that level of extreme discomfort, a 357 Magnum S&W Model 60 with a bobbed hammer proved to be significantly more reassuring for him.

Hope this helps.

 

[BSA1]

I think it is a viable option for concealed carry. I own a 351C and compared to several different J-frames I have owned over the years, it's been the lightest one to carry and easiest to shoot. It's known that J-frame revolvers in 38/357 can be hard for a novice to shoot well. The only negative I have is that rimfire triggers do have a heavier pull. So even though recoil is light make sure to take that into account if you have weak hands.

Also the ammo companies mentioned; Hornady, Federal, CCI/Speer, have all been manufacturing 22 mag rounds made specifically for short barrel revolvers. Having the right ammo is key with this caliber. The majority of 22 mag is designed for rifles. Speer Gold Dot is one of my favorites. Hornady's Critical Defense is also a serious contender for anyone wanting to conceal carry. There are lots of Youtube videos out there showing expansion and penetration. I'll post one below but you can search those on your own time.

22 MAGNUM SELF DEFENSE ROUNDS ~ PUNCH VS GOLD DOT - YouTube

Old post but your comments match my feelings

Oh happy day! Ruger has just introduced the Super Wrangler that comes with .22 LR and .22 Magnum cylinders. While not a particularly good choice for concealed carry it will be a nice choice for outdoor activities such as hunting, tending the garden and hiking.

We have a fox reappear on the property last evening meaning bad news for the chickens we want to start raising this year. I had plans to hunt it over the winter but it disappeared. Wife said she saw it briefly yesterday moving through the trees meaning sly like a fox. So I probably should start going armed while tending the critters outdoors as my opportunity to shoot will probably be to brief to grab a long gun. A .22 Magnum will need careful shot placement but the larger adjustable sights on the Super Wrangler will help.

 

[Bald1]

I am arguing nothing. Others, not I, opened the SPL door on the .22 Mag
allowing me to walk in. I will leave you to tilt at this particular windmill alone.

Is that a Don Quixote reference.

 

[Bald1]

I sometimes carry a NAA 22 mag. I’ve killed many squirrels, grouse, and woodchuck with my model 48. Anyone who doesn’t think its a performance increase over a 22lr is sadly mistaken. I see no discernible difference in report either. A little google time will show test results with avg velocity increase over 200fps in 2” guns. I’d feel just fine carrying 7rds of 22 mag.

 

[Gamecock]

Muzzle blast was unbearable. And accompanying the noise was a sheet of fire that projected about 18 inches from the muzzles.

If I ever have to shoot someone, I hope my gun will do this.

It is unlikely you will get a one-shot stop from a handgun, but noise and sheet of fire may convince them they should stop.

No fun as a range gun, but maybe perfect as a self defense gun.

 

[Jack Flash]

I'm surprised to hear about all the misfires and duds experienced with .22 LR. I've been shooting them sporatically over the decades and I can't remember ever having a single problem.

 

[Mark8]

If I ever have to shoot someone, I hope my gun will do this.

It is unlikely you will get a one-shot stop from a handgun, but noise and sheet of fire may convince them they should stop.

No fun as a range gun, but maybe perfect as a self defense gun.

A hot .44 Magnum round from a snubby will give you the bang, the flash and the one-shot stop.

 

[old tanker]

ce 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 clearing out a ... Squib malfunction... ;-)

Aren't squibs the main source of bulged barrels in revolvers?

"Well, that's my two cents worth on the matter."