22 Magnum viability or not?

[Gamecock]

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

Nope. One shot stop with .44 Mag is under 70%.

And good luck getting off a second shot with hot .44 Magnum round from a snubby.

Flash-bang would be excellent, but .22 mag lets you keep your knuckles.

 

[Naphtali]

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.

Having referred to my post where I reported on excessive muzzle blast and flame from shooting a High Standard derringer with Winchester 22RFM ammunition . . .

Interesting point. following-up your point, a larger yet ultraconcealable handgun, such as Ruger LCR 357 Magnum, might offer a comparable jet of flame with a significant improvement in real bullet performance were ammunition not using propellant incorporating reduced flash properties.

 

[diyj98]

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

Good link. I’ve read a similar test using the NAA guns in LR and WMR. The WMR definitely holds the advantage. Saying it doesn’t is like the people who argue that the 357 magnum offers no advantage over a 38 in a snub nose.

I’m not saying the 22WMR is a good self defense choice, just that is does hold an advantage over the 22LR.

 

[Gamecock]

Having referred to my post where I reported on excessive muzzle blast and flame from shooting a High Standard derringer with Winchester 22RFM ammunition . . .

Interesting point. following-up your point, a larger yet ultraconcealable handgun, such as Ruger LCR 357 Magnum, might offer a comparable jet of flame with a significant improvement in real bullet performance were ammunition not using propellant incorporating reduced flash properties.

I agree. I have long thought the success of 357 was not ballistic, rather, it is so damn loud.

 

[BSA1]

I’m not saying the 22WMR is a good self defense choice, just that is does hold an advantage over the 22LR.

And over most 38 Special J-Frame 2” barrel snubbies.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

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

My brother carries a 22 LR pocket revolver and he seems to feel good about it. He uses Federal Punch and has about 1,000 rounds through it without one FTF. The modern high quality defensive 22 LR ammo is extremely reliable in the right gun.

As far as stopping power, I'd say a hit with a 22 beats a miss with a 44. Then again all things being equal a 44 hits wayyyy harder than a 22 that hits. It's ultimately up to you, if you like it, trust it, and shoot it well.. why not? I wouldn't let us sway you. Carry gun is a personal choice that only you can decide in the end.

In conclusion, a 22 Mag absolutely can stop someone with good shot placement.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

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}

This

If you buy a bucket o' bullets or cheap stuff, then yes it will probably be unreliable. You wouldn't be carrying this kind of ammo, though, and even premium defensive 22 such as Federal Punch is only 83$ for 500 rounds. Mine was 103$ after shipping and taxes, have yet to have one FTF.

Long and short of it is this, modern 22 factory loads from reputable companies in guns made by reputable companies will do just fine. OP as long as your comfortable with the gun and ammo, go for it. You will be more prepared than the guy with a 686 left at home as I used to be.

 

[jcs266]

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

The standard NAA in .22 Mag with 1" barrel. It shoots well enough for what it is. IMHO it's a 10 feet or less sort of application, so it does just fine for that.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

The standard NAA in .22 Mag with 1" barrel. It shoots well enough for what it is. IMHO it's a 10 feet or less sort of application, so it does just fine for that.

I found these to be pretty neat guns, but I always worried the extra step of having to cock the hammer would be a bridge too far in terms of personal defense. Very cool guns, but I'd prefer a 43C or something double action for carry. Then again, hard to argue for a more easily concealed and carried gun, even seen nifty belt buckle holsters for them. Everything is a trade off I guess.

 

[jcs266]

I found these to be pretty neat guns, but I always worried the extra step of having to cock the hammer would be a bridge too far in terms of personal defense. Very cool guns, but I'd prefer a 43C or something double action for carry. Then again, hard to argue for a more easily concealed and carried gun, even seen nifty belt buckle holsters for them. Everything is a trade off I guess.

Yes it's far from ideal, but it's one of those things it's just always with you. It's not my primary EDC it's a back-up or evenings at home in my PJ's it just drop it in the pocket and don't even notice it.

We have lots of rattle-snakes around here so around home it's got snake-shot rounds in it. Walking out with the trash I'm always scanning the ground at night with a flashlight as i go. They're often out at night.

The NAA is a very high quality gun. It's a niche item though and never a primary unless you just have no other alternative then it's better than nothing.

 

[BabaBlueJay]

That makes sense. A high quality mini revolver to have when you can't have anything else on you for whatever reason. I would like one just because I think they are neat.

 

[HankB]

The added sound of a .22 Mag might make your assailant think you're shooting something pretty big at him - probably more intimidating than the sound of someone racking the slide on a pump shotgun which we all know will absolutely scare the bad guy into the next county.

Or so the "experts" say. LOL

All kidding aside, a .22 - in either LR or MAG form - is more of a step up from bare hands than going from a .22 to a .44 Mag. In the case of persons who for physical reasons can't shoot something more serious, a .22 is a lot better than going unarmed.

 

[Gamecock]

The correct defensive firing position for the .22 mag is over-the-shoulder.
Suppressive fire as you run away.