22 WMR defense?

[AJ]

Clint Smith is known for oft saying, "Your handgun is what you use to fight your way back to where you left your rifle!"

I totally agree with him.

I agree that a rifle is better in some quarters than a handgun. In a house it had better be a pretty short rifle. In the Corps I was trained to use a rifle, shotgun and a pistol as offensive weapons. If it gets to the point that I need a rifle for defense, then I should have already had a rifle in hand.

As an aside I have always thought that a PMR 30 Kel-Tec would make a heck of a nightstand piece.

 

[mikerjf]

Question: Why is the 317 8 rounds and the 351C/PD only 7? Both cartridges run the same pressure.

 

[AJ]

Question: Why is the 317 8 rounds and the 351C/PD only 7? Both cartridges run the same pressure.

The diameter of the .22 LR is 0.22 and the diameter for the .22 WMR is 0.224. Probably just enough of a difference to cause a problem.

 

[Watchdog]

As an aside I have always thought that a PMR 30 Kel-Tec would make a heck of a nightstand piece.

Total agreement from me on this. Buying one is so-o-o tempting. And Kel-Tec redesigned the earlier model by getting rid of that fluted barrel that was said to be causing some ejection problems. I'm not sure how barrel design relates to ejection problems, but that's what some tech guy reviewers were saying.

But thirty rounds being cranked out by a trigger pull of only a reported 3 pounds...not to mention muzzle flash and noise...is definitely gonna give some bad guy second thoughts...if he remains alive to actually keep on thinking.

Back when they first came out, a gun shop owner friend of mine said hey we got that new Kel-Tec .22 Magnum pistol in...come take a look at it. So I did. I saw "plastic" and the thing felt like a toy. It obviously isn't.

The Kel-Tec is a textbook case of that old saying about not judging a book by its cover...in my opinion. It isn't way high up on my Gotta Have It list...but it's on the list for sure.

Photos courtesy of The Truth About Guns

To read their updated review of the PMR 30, click here.

 

[silentflyer]

Rock Island has a 1911 frame in .22 mag now, bought one earlier this summer. Magazine holds 15 rounds, sweet shooting gun. My only complaint is the fixed rear sight, I like mine adjustable.

 

[Old Arkansawyer]

Carried a .22 mag. as a backup to a Colt .357 Trooper for several years.
Never had to use the .22 mag but would have not felt under gunned. I
bought 5 quarts of oil in the old paper cans, a .22 mag would explode
those from a 4 inch barrel. In those days 5 qts. cost a dollar, cheap
targets.

 

[Big Cholla]

Posts No. 43 and 43: The answer is the larger size of the 22 Mag's rim, not the body size. It is just enough larger to preclude the Mag from being an 8 rounder in that OD of a cylinder.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'm a great fan of the .22 WMR cartridge in either rifles or handguns. It could do in a pinch for self-defense; sure way better than the .22 LR which is often depended upon in that role.

I have several firearms chambered for it. Pictured below are an old model Ruger Super Single Six, a S&W Model 48, a Ruger American Rimfire compact rifle, and a Winchester 9422. All have performed quite satisfactorily.

John

 

[mrchuck]

I also shoot a PMR-30 by Kel-Tec.
A perfect car gun.
Extra loaded magazine next to it makes a very good personal carry or a car gun.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I have the 351C + the NAA Black Widow for .22 WMR carry. Also got a Chipmunk single shot 10.5" bolt action in .22 WMR which is very accurate and a box of 50 last a long, long time.

 

[murf205]

Beagleye, I can't speak for you liking or not liking the receiver material on a 512 Cz but it didn't bother me at all. The trigger is not the best in the world but it's a long way from the worst. I bought the first one to hit town and I've never been sorry. The 10 shot magazine is a bit pricey but had to have it. This rifle shoots anything I have stuffed in it pretty accurately and without a hiccup.

 

[beagleye]

Yes, this 22 WMR is potentially a whole new can of worms. I have already arrange to purchace a BRNO ZKM 611. As soon as I can get my greedy paws on CZ 512 carbine, I will!

 

[murf205]

I have a friend who had one of those Brno's and it was a match grade shooter. He had some hunting property that was over run with hogs and he used it to thin the herd quite successfully, with 30 gr Hornady varmint ammo, no less. Head shots.

 

[petemacmahon]

I got to shoot a CZ 512 semi auto in 22 WMR recently.

We were lighting up terra cotta pots at 50 yards- 4-5 inch targets. It was easy to unload 10 shots in just a few seconds (under 5), and accuracy was excellent!

..........................

One question is when would I grab a rifle, instead of a handgun for defense, maybe never, but maybe if there were unwelcome and unfriendly visitors on my farm, 85 acres of pastures and forest. But, I would not feel naked with a gun like that.

And I like CZ too. I wish the receiver was steel. I am interested in what y'all think, especially if it encourages me to buy another gun.

So from the sounds of the first paragraph, you shoot it better than your handgun at 50 yards? If so, then you answered your own question!

I would not hesitate to grab a rifle over a handgun for extended range situations. That old maxim about not bringing a knife to a gun fight extends to "don't take a handgun to a rifle fight". OF COURSE, we all assume that you already have your handgun on your belt as you grab the rifle on your way to the fight?!

If your willing to put up with all that polymer, this gun might be a better perimeter defense option in 22 WMR:

CMR30 Rifle | Compact, Maneuverable Carbine | .22WMR | KelTec

 

[AJ]

So from the sounds of the first paragraph, you shoot it better than your handgun at 50 yards? If so, then you answered your own question!

I would not hesitate to grab a rifle over a handgun for extended range situations. That old maxim about not bringing a knife to a gun fight extends to "don't take a handgun to a rifle fight". OF COURSE, we all assume that you already have your handgun on your belt as you grab the rifle on your way to the fight?!

If your willing to put up with all that polymer, this gun might be a better perimeter defense option in 22 WMR:

CMR30 Rifle | Compact, Maneuverable Carbine | .22WMR | KelTec

I think if I needed something to rifle fight with it would need to be an heavier caliber, say 5.56 MM or larger. Granted a .22 Mag would be effective past 50 yards if that was all I had. I still think about getting one of these PMR30 Pistol | Lightweight, Heavy Duty Design | .22 Magnum | KelTec for the "nightstand" piece. It would be a good piece for in the house at short ranges. In my mind it would be hard to justify shooting an intruder at anything over 15-20 yards (the length of a hallway). Anything over that in my neighborhood would be outside. If they are outside of the house it would be hard to justify a threat to you.Another thing would be that I was trained in the Corps to use a handgun as a offensive weapon, not just a defensive weapon.

 

[Buford57]

Had an H&K .22 mag semi carbine 30 - odd years ago. Ultra reliable and scary accurate with the iron sights. Another "one that got away"