Thoughts on 22 for CCW

[lsu2868]

Lots of great input and information here. I greatly appreciate everyones info, concerns and comments. I have been reading everything and taking it all in. I agree and always have known that the 22 is not going to totally stop an attacker. I also agree that the shots would have to be precise to have a chance at it stopping someone in their tracks. I do have the SD9VE as well and have decided that for now, even though it is bigger than I prefer, it will be what I carry. My next weapon of choice for CCW is either going to be the .38 or the compact M&P 9 or 40. I as well as everyone else do hope to never be put in a situation to need it, but if I ever do, I want to make sure I have the equipment needed to do the job correctly and effectively. I have always thought the more fire power the better and your thoughts have confirmed that thought for me.

What are your thoughts on going with a compact instead of the fullsize? Obviously less ammo with the compact.

 

[Arik]

Compacts are fine less ammo but not buy much and you can always use the mags from the full size if you want

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[CoMF]

If you can place your shots where you want them to go under stress, I wouldn't call your choice unwise. You've already conceded that a .22 LR isn't the most optimal choice on the ballistic totem pole, so I won't play "caliber police."

Now... If you're only choosing the M&P 22 based on size and concealability but would feel more comfortable with something in a larger caliber, you might want to give a Walther PPS or a S&W J-frame an honest look. The latter has a steeper learning curve to master, but few things can beat a J-frame in terms of being the "overall package." (Incidentally, before I settled on my Chief's Special, I was seriously considering buying a Walther PPS in 9mm.) These are just two noteworthy examples; I'm sure there are many more that deserve equal consideration.

Edited to Add: I've carried both compact and full sized autoloading pistols, and learned that I prefer the size and handling of compacts. Blocky as it was, I found that a Glock 19 was easier to tote than a BHP or a 1911.

 

[Ironbark]

I would hate to find out the hard way it wasn't enough gun but as someone previously stated, it sure beats throwing a rock.

All the people who carry the smaller calibers must be very confident in their abilities to put shots exactly where they aim on a moving target no less, and under terrifying conditions.

I for one am in no way confident that I could pull off a head/throat/heart shot under those conditions... and that's why I carry a .45acp

Just because its fun and accurate to shoot down the range does NOT make it a perfect carry gun.

IB

 

[Dikinalaska]

I would hate to find out the hard way it wasn't enough gun but as someone previously stated, it sure beats throwing a rock.

All the people who carry the smaller calibers must be very confident in their abilities to put shots exactly where they aim on a moving target no less, and under terrifying conditions.

I for one am in no way confident that I could pull off a head/throat/heart shot under those conditions... and that's why I carry a .45acp

Just because its fun and accurate to shoot down the range does NOT make it a perfect carry gun.

IB

These are the debates I went over in my head before deciding on my first pistol which ended up being a 9 to compromise both ways. 16 rds and with the right ammo can get around the ballistics of a 40. Settled in on a.40 now, but you gotta start somewhere.

To the OP, I would agree on carrying whatever you're most comfortable with. Firepower doesn't do any good in the wrong direction.

 

[snubbyfan]

I would hate to find out the hard way it wasn't enough gun but as someone previously stated, it sure beats throwing a rock.

All the people who carry the smaller calibers must be very confident in their abilities to put shots exactly where they aim on a moving target no less, and under terrifying conditions.

I for one am in no way confident that I could pull off a head/throat/heart shot under those conditions... and that's why I carry a .45acp

Just because its fun and accurate to shoot down the range does NOT make it a perfect carry gun.

IB

Friend of mine's a big guy, has a concealed carry permit and has a Springfield XD.45 Tactical. It has the tactical holster and the tactical double mag holder. When we're at the range he tells me how his gun has a bigger bullet than my .38 special snubby and how he can load the mag with 12 rounds of .45acp and carry 2 extra loaded mags. Only problem is he never carries it, my snubby with two loaded quickstrips is with me always.
Now he wants to get a tactical light for it and a tactical holster to carry it in. I offered to make a custom leather holster for it and dye it black so it'd look tactical but he wants a tactical kydex holster for it instead, I guess so it'll look all cool and tactical sittin' in his gun safe. My Cherokee friend with the Ruger SR22, always carries her little pistol in one my custom made holsters.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is a carry gun's only good if you carry it. No a .22's not an ideal self defense caliber but it's a lot better than a .45 with all the cool tactical stuff sitting at home in the gunsafe.

 

[KKECK5]

I've been retired for sometime, but many of the bodies i ran across shot by a .22 were just as dead. Most were one shot to the head or heart. It's all about placement. BUT, you better know what your doing under stress, there's little room for error.

 

[kennyb]

glad to hear you have reconsidered caliber...if you use the search function on this forum,you will find a lot of discussion on the .22 as a self defense carry gun..it's been brought up a LOT!
it's a very poor choice for self defense...lots of fun and cheap (sort of) to practice with but...POOR for self defense

 

[Ironbark]

I've been retired for sometime, but many of the bodies i ran across shot by a .22 were just as dead. Most were one shot to the head or heart. It's all about placement. BUT, you better know what your doing under stress, there's little room for error.

Sure executions with a .22 makes good business sense. You don't need to sell much crack to buy a box of .22LR!

I started out with a .380 for a carry gun. I upsized because I realized carrying a bigger caliber for protection made sense.
In a life or death situation where you only have a split second and are able to only get a single shot off would you want to be firing a .22 or a .357 magnum?
If you make the conscious decision to use a firearm for self defense, then you stack the cards as much in your favour as possible.
If your intention is to start off small and work your way up, I certainly understand that and kudos to you for deciding not to be a victim. If you have been carrying a .380 or a .22 for 20 years then your simply giving the BG chances that he ought not to have.
It's just common sense.

IB

IB

 

[snubbyfan]

Back when I lived in the Washington DC area and worked selling car parts, a lot of the people I associated with weren't always on the right side of the law. I've been told stories of people trippin' on crack, getting shot by a .22 and not even noticing until later when they'd start feelin' poorly and notice that they're bleeding. I personally want to carry a caliber that'll be noticed immediately. A .38 special hollowpoint isn't the most powerful round but it'll get a persons attention.

 

[Poodle Soup]

a 22 and a 45 do the same damage if you don't hit your target... If its the most gun you can carry carry it. If you can carry something bigger... get something bigger.

 

[Lt JL]

Okay,we all agree that the 22lr is not a death ray. But in 34 years as an urban, big city cop, i saw about as many, if not more, fatals with a .22 as with any other handgun. Most were head shots within 2 or three feet. The othere were chest shots that missed bone and hit the heart and lungs. Those solids seem to rattle around inside a person for a while. If all I had was a .22, I'd stick it up the bad guy's nose, in his ear, or under his chin pointing up. Still, I'd prefer another caliber.
This is a funny subject; once one of our vice guys, doing the wino-waiting-to-be-robbed thing, was accosted by a thug with a knife, and shot said thug 6 times with a model 29 4". All were CM hits, but the guy lived. No handgun round is more than a convenience.

 

[Lost Lake]

These threads are quite amusing. I've argued both sides and there's always someone against me. If I say the .45 is a good carry gun someone will show stats that just flashing a fake gun scares off 58% of the attackers, and the sound of a 'BANG' scares off another 38% so a gun that goes bang is good 96% of the time.

Then I argue that having any gun is great if you carry it and can shoot it and I get people arguing that a .45 is a 'manstopper' and any hit with a .45 is devastating, or if you use a .22 you need surgical precision to cause any second thoughts in a bad guy....

I just say whatever!

Carry what you like and shoot well! Chances are it will never see the outside of your holster, and if it does, chances are the bad guy will run away anyway.

I carry all calibers, if you're a bad guy, try and catch me on my low-caliber days....

 

[Ironbark]

These threads are quite amusing. I've argued both sides and there's always someone against me. If I say the .45 is a good carry gun someone will show stats that just flashing a fake gun scares off 58% of the attackers, and the sound of a 'BANG' scares off another 38% so a gun that goes bang is good 96% of the time.

Then I argue that having any gun is great if you carry it and can shoot it and I get people arguing that a .45 is a 'manstopper' and any hit with a .45 is devastating, or if you use a .22 you need surgical precision to cause any second thoughts in a bad guy....

I just say whatever!

Carry what you like and shoot well! Chances are it will never see the outside of your holster, and if it does, chances are the bad guy will run away anyway.

I carry all calibers, if you're a bad guy, try and catch me on my low-caliber days....

You mention "chances" twice. I would never leave my or my family's life to "chance" Not ever.

But that's just me

IB

 

[JFootin]

Not knocking the 22 for CCW, but nowadays there are some very carryable 45s such as the Springfield XDs, the Kahr PM45 and, due to be released next fall, the Kahr CM45, which is a cosmetically plainer version of the PM45 that will be sold at a bargain price.

There are also many subcompacts in 9mm and 40s&w calibers, too. My choice is the Kahr CM9, which is small enough to be easily concealed and carried daily.

A surprising characteristic of these subcompact pistols, even the 45s, is that they are not punishing to shoot. Reviewers make comments about the low felt recoil with these small, light guns that can only be held with a two finger grip. I think I know why. With a larger gun, the longer slide develops more of a rotational inertia, causing the muzzle to flip up and the hand to be slammed. With the subcompacts, the short slide doesn't develop as much rotational inertia and, instead, sends the recoil energy strait back, which is more comfortable for the hand. Also, the mass of the slide is much less, again reducing inertia. Instead, these guns use very stiff recoil springs to absorb more of the recoil energy. I find my CM9 quite enjoyable at the range. My hand will get tired after 50 rounds or so, but there is no pain or soreness.

So, no slam to the 22, but just wanted to point out that there are many viable options in larger calibers nowadays.

 

[jlrhiner]

Is there anyone who actually feels the .22 is adequate for self defense?

Training and practice, then an adequate self defense tool. Obtain a modern holster and pistol belt. You must do like the rest of us, Taylor your wardrobe to your carry style. The size and weight difference between small 9's, 40's and 45's is minimal anymore. A J frame in .38 or .357 is smaller still. Train, practice, adapt.

Carrying a .22 for self defense is only adequate if you don't have to use it.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Is there anyone who actually feels the .22 is adequate for self defense?

Training and practice, then an adequate self defense tool. Obtain a modern holster and pistol belt. You must do like the rest of us, Taylor your wardrobe to your carry style. The size and weight difference between small 9's, 40's and 45's is minimal anymore. A J frame in .38 or .357 is smaller still. Train, practice, adapt.

Carrying a .22 for self defense is only adequate if you don't have to use it.

Agreed. I'm amazed at those that simply settle for less. The statements are even worse. "Better than a sharp stick" or "Better than the 45 you left at home".

Those TRULY dedicated to protecting themselves properly won't choose a 22 unless, it's all you have, or it's all you can shoot. If not for those reasons, people should be embarrassed because of their excuses and laziness.

Just my 2 measly cents.

 

[kennyb]

i read these particular threads from time to time regarding is a .22 a good self defense gun?....the commonality i keep seeing,although not always is...the original poster has just purchased a new M&P22 or ar-22 and already knows its not very good for stated purpose however....perhaps some of the guys on the forum may just know something indicating that its a fine self defense round....and yes...there are always those that step foward promoting the .22 is ok,or better than nothing,etc.yes the AR-22 and M&P 22 look mean but...they are still .22 caliber
thats my take anyway.....

 

[Buffalohunter60]

I have shot 400 pound pigs with a .22.....if I hit them right...they drop....if not...they keep on feeding....or act like a bee sting. I knew a man that worked at the kittery Trading post in Main.....love triangle....and he was shot once in the heart with a .22......died immediately. All that being said.....its cover very well here....I like my .357....have faced mean pigs and an enraged cow (after being shot 9 times with a .25 automatic) the cow lost to my .357 and my friend traded the .25 for a .44 mag...problem solved.

 

[poordevil]

remember when Pres. Regan and men were shot with a .22? I think 2 or 3 big strong Secret Service guys dropped like a sack of potatoes. They lived, but were out of the fight.