vito
US Veteran
Wondering if many carry this caliber as their concealed gun, and if so, what gun.
22lr for concealed carry?
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jaykellogg
Absent Comrade
There my be a few. Almost a year ago the American Rifleman did an article on the Ruger LCR and suggested it be used for defense. IMHO, it is light for defense. President Ronald Reagan was shot with a .22 and initially didn't realize it although the wound was nearly fatal.
7shooter
Member
I suggested a Ruger LCR in 22 lr to a woman who has marked weakness in her wrists and arms. She cannot load magazines or rack a slide. She can press the trigger on my LCR in 38 special but cannot handle the recoil. She is not strong enough to hold even a small steel gun for any length of time. It is not an ideal caliber for self defense but is really all she can handle. The little Rugers have a cushioned back strap which should help.
The general feeling will be that it would be inadequate. But a lot would depend upon where you carry it and under what circumstances. It would be a serious impediment to the way you could respond to a bad situation. Obviously you wouldn't want to get into a gunfight with a group from across the street for example. But if someone would be close enough to grab you and you had the time to get it out and put a couple in his face it could save you.
Basically it would just be a get-off-me gun. A friend of my carries a 4-shot derringer in .22mag and feels comfortable. I've told him that I think he should carry more fire power in order to cover himself in a wider variety of situations.
Me I carry a .44 spl or .45 auto. His gun might be a good get-off-me gun by mine is a get-off-me...and-STAY-off-me gun.
Basically it would just be a get-off-me gun. A friend of my carries a 4-shot derringer in .22mag and feels comfortable. I've told him that I think he should carry more fire power in order to cover himself in a wider variety of situations.
Me I carry a .44 spl or .45 auto. His gun might be a good get-off-me gun by mine is a get-off-me...and-STAY-off-me gun.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Don't let the President Reagan story influence you. He was shot with a special Air Marshal ammo that is made to not penetrate. A young man of about 19 worked for me around 1980. The year before he got in a fight with an acquaintance about paternity and willingness of his unconscious sister. He got shot point blank, in the chest with a semi auto 22 short (a Beretta or clone) He finished pounding the guy into the ground, then ran a mile and a half to a nurse's house and collapsed on her door step. He spent 3 days in the hospital. The high velocity 22 Long Rifle cartridge (the famous CTG) penetrate very well at SD distances. My S-I-L has arthritis and cannot handle the recoil of any thing heavier so so uses the LCR in 22LR. The have to play the cards life deals you, or be a victim. Ivan
Hillbilly77
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I think that we all agree that a .22LR is not the ideal caliber for self defense. 
That's not the point.
The point is that a .22LR is better than no gun at all in a defense situation.
I have a Ruger SR22 as a plinker gun. It's light and small, easy to conceal if one were to CCW it.
That's not the point. The point is that a .22LR is better than no gun at all in a defense situation.
I have a Ruger SR22 as a plinker gun. It's light and small, easy to conceal if one were to CCW it.
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Hack
Member
I have a small .22 LR pistol. It's a throw-away Lorcin, with a nasty bark, and a questionable safety.
Yes, I have carried it in my pocket, on a number of occasions.
Yes, I have carried it in my pocket, on a number of occasions.
kozmic
Member
I can see a situation where, as stated, a .22lr is much better than nothing.
But, I believe if you are physically able to rack the slide, or are comfortable with the long DA pull or handle the recoil from a defensive-sized load, then leave the .22 for range use or plinkin' in the woods.
But, I believe if you are physically able to rack the slide, or are comfortable with the long DA pull or handle the recoil from a defensive-sized load, then leave the .22 for range use or plinkin' in the woods.
dcxplant
Member
While your at it ask about what oil is best, make it a two-fer!
sorry bout that, I never did quite perfect keeping my yap shut, even when the door is left a bit open..
I'll put on my NRA Instructor hat and say; if you have a pistol that fits you well, you shoot well, and that you like and are comfortable with, then by golly you carry that pistol and don't listen to the nay Sayers because it isn't this or that caliber. The board denizens will go back and forth with you all darn day til they are blue in the face. You know what a .22 is and is not, and it is YOUR choice.
If that sweet little .22 is what you want, then carry the best self defense rounds you can get your mits on, practice your CCW draw, and shoot as often as you can and carry on!
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Hack
Member
I, for one, would not volunteer to test your theory. Would you care to?
Ten rounds of .22LR hollow point, some which will go in the face, will definitely change someone's mind. IMHO.
Not my choice for a daily carry pistol, but if that's all ya got... Besides, most encounters end when a gun is displayed by someone with the fortitude to use it.
kozmic
Member
While your at it ask about what oil is best, make it a two-fer!
I like grapeseed oil. It has a high smoke/burn temp. and a nice light nutty flavor.
feralmerril
Absent Comrade
I used to work with a friend that was a retired homicide Lt. off the Indianapolis PD circa late 1930s to early 1960s. He told me the .22 was the nastiest cartridge to get hit with in the torso as it would rickoshay all over from rib to rib. However it isnt a knockdown cartridge. It certainly would be better than nothing and personaly I aint a blademan. Really now what fool with a knife is going to advance on a girl with a .22 pointed at him? Yeah, I know there are probley reports of someone doing everything imaginable somewhere, I think people actualy have been hit with meteorites. Hell of a lot better than nothing.
kamloops67
Member
ive personally seen a 22lr put down lots of cattle one shot through the skull, thats how we shot our beef ,thats how everyone i know shoots their beef. ineffective? hardly.
I like grapeseed oil. It has a high smoke/burn temp. and a nice light nutty flavor.
That one made me smile!
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Not my 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even 4th choice, but beats feet, fists and foul language. A hit with a 22 hurts a lot worse than a miss with a 45, Jeff Cooper suggested aiming for the face, especially the eyes, I would recommend using it like Charlie Askins' belly gun.
While I don't carry one and it's my last choice in a defensive caliber, it's still on the list.
-It will work for those who quit when they realize the "victim" is armed
-It will work for those who quit when they get shot at
-It will work for those who quit when they realize that they've been shot
But for those criminals that continue the attack until they're physically incapacitated, hope for really, really good shot placement.
-It will work for those who quit when they realize the "victim" is armed
-It will work for those who quit when they get shot at
-It will work for those who quit when they realize that they've been shot
But for those criminals that continue the attack until they're physically incapacitated, hope for really, really good shot placement.
Hi:
At one time long, long ago I carried a Colt Woodsman Sport Model 4" loaded with .22LR Hi-speed H.P.
Later I carried a Ruger Standard Model Semi-Automatic .22 Pistol 4" loaded also with the same type ammo.
I did not feel under gunned. I practiced facial, throat, and crotch shots.
The Ruger felt flatter concealed than the Colt, but both were very dependable weapons.
At one time long, long ago I carried a Colt Woodsman Sport Model 4" loaded with .22LR Hi-speed H.P.
Later I carried a Ruger Standard Model Semi-Automatic .22 Pistol 4" loaded also with the same type ammo.
I did not feel under gunned. I practiced facial, throat, and crotch shots.
The Ruger felt flatter concealed than the Colt, but both were very dependable weapons.
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KKECK5
Member
JUST like most things in life, it depends on the situation. If some puke is trying to attack or rob you, then the 22LR is probably going to do the trick. Between the pain, the noise and the fear in seeing a gun pulled on them, it'll put them on the defense and the run. HOWEVER, If it's someone drunk of their mind and so drugged up that they feel absolutely zero pain, you better have something a little larger....like an elephant gun.
I knew someone would be along with the old saw, "Huh!! I'll listen to you say it is ineffective when you let me shoot you in the chest with one!":roll eyes:
Airguns can deliver fatal shots. I am not foolish enough to stand and let you shoot me with a bb gun. Does that "prove" that bb guns are good for self defense?
Woman, 32, Fatally Shot by Air Gun in Santa Ana | NBC Southern California
Airgun Shooting Fatal, Manslaughter Charge Laid | Stuff.co.nz
Alaska boy, 6, fatally shoots girl with pellet gun | Fox News
I don't believe the above accounts prove that pellet guns and bb guns are sufficient self defense tools.
I realize there might be circumstances that dictate the necessity of using a .22 for defense, and I have carried a .22 mag mini-revolver. They are, of course, much better than pellet air guns. However, to say they are "as good as" more powerful rounds is just false. Handguns are a compromise. If I could carry a short rifle or carbine, like my .45 and .357 Trappers, without causing a disturbance, I would. I would love to be able to carry a full-sized 1911 in .45, or a .44 or .45 revolver everywhere. It just isn't feasible. I compromise by carrying a two or three inch j-frame loaded with BB +p ammo. My daughter is very uncomfortable with that kind of recoil, so I load her 442 with factory equivalent full wadcutters. I believe they are better than a .380. .38 factory round nose, .22 rimfire, or a sharp stick.
Airguns can deliver fatal shots. I am not foolish enough to stand and let you shoot me with a bb gun. Does that "prove" that bb guns are good for self defense?
Woman, 32, Fatally Shot by Air Gun in Santa Ana | NBC Southern California
Airgun Shooting Fatal, Manslaughter Charge Laid | Stuff.co.nz
Alaska boy, 6, fatally shoots girl with pellet gun | Fox News
I don't believe the above accounts prove that pellet guns and bb guns are sufficient self defense tools.
I realize there might be circumstances that dictate the necessity of using a .22 for defense, and I have carried a .22 mag mini-revolver. They are, of course, much better than pellet air guns. However, to say they are "as good as" more powerful rounds is just false. Handguns are a compromise. If I could carry a short rifle or carbine, like my .45 and .357 Trappers, without causing a disturbance, I would. I would love to be able to carry a full-sized 1911 in .45, or a .44 or .45 revolver everywhere. It just isn't feasible. I compromise by carrying a two or three inch j-frame loaded with BB +p ammo. My daughter is very uncomfortable with that kind of recoil, so I load her 442 with factory equivalent full wadcutters. I believe they are better than a .380. .38 factory round nose, .22 rimfire, or a sharp stick.
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