Anyone carry a M&P 22c?

[Arik]

I understand. For those who have a hard time loading mags there are mag loaders that make it easier and if that's not enough there are always revolvers. Carry a gun for self defense is a life style not an accessory to a wardrobe. There needs to be practice in shooting and developing skill, this Includes racking the slide. There are a few tricks to make it easier but that person should build up muscle strength too. This isn't weight lifting, grip and pull can be strengthened without looking like Popeye. It can even be done in front of the tv. It can even be done just by continuously racking the slide.

Of course there will be some people who have physical limitations and can't do those things. There are revolvers in 32 that don't have much recoil and can be easily loaded.

 

[kannonvaggon]

I used to open carry a .22mag revolver for years. It was a good "critter gitter" but not a great choice for self defense against a human BG ....

I switched to a .44mag short barrel revolver. MOST of my shots were snakes and such using shot shells, with 3 rounds of heavy hollow points for if I got into a hinky situation with "coyotes" out in the desert. As far as the effectiveness of that round it doesn't get much better.... but the size and weight of the gun don't make it a good CC weapon.

I started using a model 659 9mm pistol as open carry most of the time a couple decades ago. A "decent" caliber with LOTS of rounds in the magazine. The 9mm is not a great shot shell load, but at close range on snakes it is still effective and functions well in SOME semi-auto pistols. Not all. That 659 was way too heavy and large, IMHO, for CCW ...

I went with the Shield 9mm for CC . It has functioned well with shot shells and various SD ammo. It has "enough" rounds in the mag and is light weight, accurate and reliable. A GREAT EDC pistol.

Would I prefer to carry a 22C ? Not at all. The Shield is only slightly heavier, conceals slightly better, and the 9mm is FAR superior to .22 or .22mag as far as effectiveness against a human or large animal and is more reliable as far as feeding and ejecting. Is the slide lighter on the 22C?
Absolutely. That don't make it a "good" carry gun .... It's a great plinker and practice gun, but not an EDC.

JMHO

 

[azvoiceman]

Not unless I had a can on it...

Just kidding. Not for self-defense. Offense, maybe. But a real caliber for defense.

I DO have a can on my M&P .22, and I never carry it for defense.

The can is a Yankee Hill "Mite" and I wind up shooting the M&P more often than my Ruger 22/45, or my Walther P22, or SIG Mosquito....the M&P functions better and is just more fun to shoot since the frame is the same size as my M&P .40.

Good shooting!

 

[MSG Glenn]

I'd carry a .22 semi-auto if it was my only option. It would have to be reliable & never miss a beat because in a SD situation I would plan on emptying the mag with a rapid reload. Maybe as a backup gun but still doubtful. I have a rule - not a hard & fast one - that I'd never carry anything smaller than 9mm. I've settled on .40 cal only because I got a good deal on a used M&P40 & because of that bought a new 40C. I think most of the popular SD calibers have greatly improved ammo over the past few years but to the best of my knowledge .22lr is about the same as when I was plinking as a kid. I have no knowledge of .22 magnum so I can't comment on that.

I've found that a little weight to my SD handgun is a good thing. I can ignore it but I always know it's there. Very reassuring. It seems to heighten my situational awareness.

 

[papersniper]

I understand. For those who have a hard time loading mags there are mag loaders that make it easier and if that's not enough there are always revolvers. Carry a gun for self defense is a life style not an accessory to a wardrobe. There needs to be practice in shooting and developing skill, this Includes racking the slide. There are a few tricks to make it easier but that person should build up muscle strength too. This isn't weight lifting, grip and pull can be strengthened without looking like Popeye. It can even be done in front of the tv. It can even be done just by continuously racking the slide.

Of course there will be some people who have physical limitations and can't do those things. There are revolvers in 32 that don't have much recoil and can be easily loaded.

Yes, I think for many that are physically unable (or uncomfortable) loading magazines, racking slides, etc, the revolver is a much better idea that using a 22lr self-loader. Good suggestions above on revolver models. I'm a SA fan over revolvers, but that's a personnel preference on what I consider requirements for a SD handgun, and I am not incapable of using a SA, thank goodness.

 

[papersniper]

......Would I prefer to carry a 22C ? Not at all. The Shield is only slightly heavier, conceals slightly better, and the 9mm is FAR superior to .22 or .22mag as far as effectiveness against a human......... Is the slide lighter on the 22C? Absolutely. That don't make it a "good" carry gun .... It's a great plinker and practice gun, but not an EDC.

JMHO

I could not agree with you more on the Shield vs 22c. The Shield works very well as a cc pistol, in some ways better than m Kel-Tec P11, and LOTS better than my Sig 228! The more I shoot both pistols (only had them for maybe a month) the more I like them. I have the sights on the 22c adjusted to the same point of impact (trying for the same sight picture) as the Shield at 7 yards, which I consider to be the typical at-the-shooting-range handgun distance. And that's probably a good distance, or shorter, for any SD scenario I can imagine. I did that so I can practice with the 22c a LOT to supplement my practice with the Shield on a regular basic. 22lr is still cheaper than 9mm ammo even at today's prices!

 

[papersniper]

.....

I've found that a little weight to my SD handgun is a good thing. I can ignore it but I always know it's there. Very reassuring. It seems to heighten my situational awareness.

For sure! Practicing with my Kel-Tec P11 is not anywhere as much fun as the Shield or a heavier gun! Even shooting my tiny little 32acp is punishment in comparison. There is a balance we all seek with caliber, size, weight, recoil, etc. For many of us the Shield seems to fill that niche.

 

[Out West]

I've got one and really enjoy shooting it. So far it has been very reliable.

I can think of circumstances where I would carry the M&P 22c. Right now none of the holsters a prefer for IWB carry are made for this model. That is the only thing stopping me.

Out
West

 

[papersniper]

I've got one and really enjoy shooting it. So far it has been very reliable.

I can think of circumstances where I would carry the M&P 22c. Right now none of the holsters a prefer for IWB carry are made for this model. That is the only thing stopping me.

Out
West

The Fobus paddle holster I got for tactical range carry (only) works well with my M&P Shield. Someone also told me holsters for the Glock 26 work with the M&P Shield. Granted, those last two are not for the M&P 22, but I suspect a lot of holsters will work, but you'd have to try them to be sure.

 

[ofnsaz]

I've only pulled a gun in self-defense once, and it was nearly 40 years ago. I came back from a hike and a bunch of guys were drinking whiskey on my car. I was a couple of miles from the nearest paved road. They said nothing, but started to fan out around me.

I thought something obscene, then remembered I had been plinking - and the 22 LR revolver was loaded. Pulled it, stared at them, and got ready to shoot the first one who rushed me in the nose. But no one wanted to volunteer for a 22 LR up the nose, so I ended up getting in my car (with my gun still in my hand) and driving off.

I sometimes carry a NAA 22LR. On a 10AM trip to the hardware store, I'm not REALLY worried about lone shooters or thugs. People in those categories probably don't know where the hardware store is located. If they did, I'd try to get very close and go for a head shot.

Would it work? Since I haven't pulled a gun for the last 40 years, I may never find out. Still own the 22 revolver, although I don't carry it for CCW. But I've considered getting an 8-round 22 revolver and carrying it. 8 rounds of 22 at close range would ruin a lot of folks day, and they are easy to shoot accurately.

Not everyone lives in the big city, goes out at night or frequents high crime areas. And if a 22 is what you can shoot well...

 

[silversnake]

An 22C might be a good choice for someone with limited hand strength or recoil sensitivity. Otherwise, why?

If I went with a .22 mag revolver, it would be a Model 48 with a 6" barrel. Maybe not the easiest to conceal, but .22 mag really picks up speed with a longer barrel.

 

[lgjhn]

Here is a link to a good review of the Ruger .22 Magnum revolver. It's something to consider.

Lightweight, Compact Ruger LCR 22 Magnum Pocket Revolver

That gun is a sweet little beast, especially with the 45 gr Winchester DynaPoints. I have no hesitation carry this revolver anywhere. I normally carry a .380 or a 9mm, but sometimes the little Ruger is a more comfortable option depending on where I'm going, how I'm dressed etc.....and, of course, my mood.