Thinking of a MP 22

Dave49

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I have a shield 9mm that I love great carry gun and fun to shoot. I am a retired machine repairman so I have abused my hands and arms over the years. I bought a Ruger LCR 38 +p to carry a few years ago because 357 beat me up. I liked the cushioned grips and it served me very well. I bought the shield because it had less recoil and it became my carry gun. The last time at the range I only put two clips though my shield and my tendonitis in my right arm bothered me for 3 days. I can shoot 60-70 rounds through my Ruger 10/45 at the range with no problems. I am thinking of getting a MP 22 to carry, I know a 22 is not considered a good carry gun but if I can place the shots where I want instead of flinching I think it would serve me better. Does anyone else carry a 22 LR for carry?
 
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It's better than a stick! I have a Colt Jr in .25acp that I will carry in the summer if thats all I can conceal. More people are killed by .22 than any other caliber.
 
I have carried a .22 from time to time and just bought a Model 317 that shoots great. It may get carry time when I have to wear a suit or dress slacks b/c of the light weight, less than 10 oz. I've seen the fight taken out of a lot of people who were shot w/a .22 while I was a working cop (30 yrs.). If that's all you can carry/shoot than go for it. I'm hanging on to the 317 thinking about aging, I'll be 70 later this year. One last thought; only use CCI Mini Mag ammo to ensure absolute reliability.
 
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I don't carry my M&P 22; but I like this gun a lot. Very accurate, a little picky on ammo. Mine doesn't like Win Super-X bulk
 
update
just went to a new local gun store and told the guy what I was looking for and why and he more or less told me that I was a fool. He told me the only way I could stop a guy with a 22 was with a head shot. He said you can kill a person with a 22 but it takes a long time for them to die. They had a compact and it felt nice but I won't being going back to that store. He more or less told me that my gun purchases so for were wrong. I can find other places to give my money to. Next time at the range I'm going to wear the elbow brace that I wear when riding my scoot and see if that helps. Thanks for the input guys.
 
Don't let anyone discourage you from getting a 22, get a full size 22 and practice with that and up to YOU if you want to use it for SD

very good article with supporting data
Using the .22 for Self Defense | Buckeye Firearms Association

A quote From the article "In Claude's lifetime study of defensive gun uses, he has yet to find a single case where an armed citizen was killed by a criminal after the criminal had taken at least one .22 round. In the case of civilian defensive gun usage, the criminal almost always flees after the first hit. "

Norm
 
As noted, if a .22 is all one can be comfortable with and safely handle then it may be better then no protection at all. Considering a Compact .22 looks similar to a Shield unless one views the end of the barrel, having that in hand in itself may be a deterrent.
Though as .22's can be far more finicky than higher caliber rounds i'd want to make sure that i knew what ammo worked best and stuck with it.
2500+ rounds in my MP 9's with 0 issues; cant say the same for my .22's. That would be a concern for me if i was to carry it.
 
The M&P 22 compact is a great little gun and nearly identical in size to the Shield. Mine points and feels just like my Shield. If I were in your situation I would get the 22 compact for your range/practice gun and carry the Shield. In a true SD situation I doubt you would flinch with the Shield and dealing with a sore elbow for a few days would be much better than the possible outcome of using a 22 for SD.
 
update
just went to a new local gun store and told the guy what I was looking for and why and he more or less told me that I was a fool. He told me the only way I could stop a guy with a 22 was with a head shot. He said you can kill a person with a 22 but it takes a long time for them to die. They had a compact and it felt nice but I won't being going back to that store. He more or less told me that my gun purchases so for were wrong. I can find other places to give my money to. Next time at the range I'm going to wear the elbow brace that I wear when riding my scoot and see if that helps. Thanks for the input guys.

Dave,
I have had chronic tendonitis in both arms for a long time. Only thing I find works well to knock down the inflammation is Aleve (naproxen sodium).

Btw, I have an MP 22 FS, great piece, easy to shoot.
 
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Shield and M&P22 Compact

Here they are side-by-side. the 22 compact is slightly larger than the Shield in length and height at the grip, but it feels lighter because of the less bulky firing components required for 22 vs. 9mm. The grip is also thinner, but it has the same grip angle and feels really good in the hand. It looks to be a good training pistol for M&Ps generally, and for fun. It'd also be concealable if you choose to carry a 22, which as others have said, beats carrying nothing.
 

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a follow up on the elbow issue, went to the range today and wore my lightweight elbow brace [not the good one I wear when riding my bike] no problems at all. No MP 22 in the future, maybe looking at another 9mm if my wife decides to get her carry permit. I will probably turn over the shield to her since I don't really care for the laser .
 
Based on reviews I've read, you might be more please with the M&P22 Compact.

Ditto!! I have a M&P 22 Compact (they are made by Smith in the US and both models come with a threaded barrel; one internal and the other external). It is a great shooter and feels grand in the hand! With 10 rounds of CCI Stinger hollow points, well, nuff said!!
 
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