Thoughts on 22 for CCW

poordevil said:
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.
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And Regan didn't even know he was shot ... even got out of his limo and walked into the hospital ... 70 year old guy.

That should tell you all you need to know.

IB
 
Just wanted to give an update. I went yesterday and have ordered a M&P 9mm Shield for CCW. I should be getting it this week. Everyone's opinions and thoughts made perfect sense. From the beginning, I knew the 22 wasn't the optimal choice but just wanted the verification from my peers. Thanks everyone and stay safe.
 
lsu2868 said:
Hello everyone. I have considered carrying my M&P 22 for CCW just due to size compared to my SD9VE 9mm. What are your thoughts about this? I know the 22 is probably not the optimal weapon but really like it. Just curious. Thanks.
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If I had pretty much anything else that COULD be carried and was reliable, I would NOT carry a .22lr.

If the 9mm is too big for you to comfortably carry, I'd sell it and get a S&W Shield or a Kahr, or a Springfield EMP, or pretty much anything in a serious self-defense caliber rather than carry a .22lr.

Handguns aren't the best for stopping power in general. Why create additional handicaps for yourself?
 
Lobo, you make great leather but I got to call you on the ,"I'd rather have 20 rounds of .22 than 2 rounds of .45" I've never shot anyone with 20 rounds of .22, but I have never shot anyone with 2 rounds of .45 that wanted to continue the fight.I don't revel in the war time gunfights I was involved in but, I'm still here and they ain't. So, draw your own conclusions. Nick
 
lsu2868 said:
Just wanted to give an update. I went yesterday and have ordered a M&P 9mm Shield for CCW. I should be getting it this week. Everyone's opinions and thoughts made perfect sense. From the beginning, I knew the 22 wasn't the optimal choice but just wanted the verification from my peers. Thanks everyone and stay safe.
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Did you get the Shield yet? :confused:
 
Lt JL said:
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.
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Look, I'm not going to argue with you about the lethality of the .22. You've seen what you've seen.

However, in my (limited) experience with the bad guys, I wouldn't be here today if all I had was a .22...

I was on my way home from a long day at work (LSS) and ended up having 5 very large, very high and very angry urban utes trying to arrange my funeral plans.

I was lucky (smart) enough to be carrying my Glock 23 and a reload because even though they had no firearms, they were NOT unarmed.

Please, please, please do not use a .22 for self-defense. Bad guys travel in packs. They do not fear you or your gun. Use the biggest round you can find and never compromise your choice of caliber.
 
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Lost Lake said:
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.
...

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.... ;)
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+1 on that!

I used to carry the MIGHTY BOBCAT in 22lr in hot weather when all I wear is shorts and a t-shirt. But then I got a 642 which only weighs a few ounces more than the Bobcat (maybe more with ammo) and feel a bit 'undergunned'. So, to each their own. Whatever makes you feel safe, comfortable, etc :)
 
A .22 you carry is still a lot better than a .45 you don't. Other rounds are more effective overall than the .22, but it can still be "mostly" adequate for self-defense.

All that being said (and more than a few times in this thread already), let me make an additional observation. I took a basic pistol course and used the instructor's M&P .22. Loved it, nice gun to shoot, small and easy to conceal. I asked him about using something like that for CC and he agreed with most of the statements above. However, since then I've experimented and found I can quite effectively conceal an M&P .40 FS IWB under a tee shirt. Which obviates most of the advantages of the .22. In other words, it COULD be used as a self-defense weapon, but doesn't really have much advantage over a larger caliber gun. So why bother?


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michaelpthompso said:
A .22 you carry is still a lot better than a .45 you don't. Other rounds are more effective overall than the .22, but it can still be "mostly" adequate for self-defense.

All that being said (and more than a few times in this thread already), let me make an additional observation. I took a basic pistol course and used the instructor's M&P .22. Loved it, nice gun to shoot, small and easy to conceal. I asked him about using something like that for CC and he agreed with most of the statements above. However, since then I've experimented and found I can quite effectively conceal an M&P .40 FS IWB under a tee shirt. Which obviates most of the advantages of the .22. In other words, it COULD be used as a self-defense weapon, but doesn't really have much advantage over a larger caliber gun. So why bother?


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Heck, a rubber band gun could be used for self defense!;) But will it STOP your attacker right now? There are no guarantees. But your chances improve greatly with larger calibers. How much do you want to leave to chance? Luck?

THAT is the question and the only question that should be posed for any caliber. If in your mind you think that a 22 is good enough then carry it. But if my mind ever tells me to carry a 22 then I'll have to slap it one!:eek:
 
A .22 will get your assailants attention. He will know he's been shot, and probably retreat. However, if high-octane drugs are part of the equation, it might not deter him. My home gun is a .22 Magnum. It's loud, flashy, and it hurts.
 
jlrhiner said:
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.
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I just took my wife to the range saturday to shoot an M&P 22. She shot a .357 Magnum (with .38 special rounds) last month and recoil (and Bang) gave her trouble so we decided to try something smaller. Anyway, she shot the .22 very well, but I would NOT allow her to carry it because it had too many missfeeds and FTF. A revolver would have been better, but I still don't think I'd trust the round.
 
Protected One said:
I just took my wife to the range saturday to shoot an M&P 22. She shot a .357 Magnum (with .38 special rounds) last month and recoil (and Bang) gave her trouble so we decided to try something smaller. Anyway, she shot the .22 very well, but I would NOT allow her to carry it because it had too many missfeeds and FTF. A revolver would have been better, but I still don't think I'd trust the round.
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The Ruger LCR is now chambered in 22 magnum. Just might work for her.
 
I decided on the S&W 351c, for the low weight, 7 shot capacity, and because I do think .22 Magnum is a good defensive cartridge in a small handgun.

If I had an 11-oz AirLite in .38sp/.357, I would never train with it. With the 351c I can shoot 100 rounds without pain.
 
I always believed the small .22 handgun was a joke for concealed carry. I have owned a few and no matter what I did to them or fed them they were completely unreliable. Then I bought a 43C and my attitude changed completely. The 43C is absolutely reliable, easy to shoot well and is still incredibly light WHEN LOADED and not just empty. It allows all kinds of unconventional carry locations with complete comfort. Occasionally I carry mine as my only gun when there's no way to hide or carry something else all day long. I realize I will have to shoot for the face but I'm confident about my abilities at very close range. The .22 is not my duty gun and I am not obligated to shoot an attacker off somebody else at moderate to long range. I'm going to avoid a confrontation at all costs but if an assailant insists on not avoiding me then I know that the range will be very close. In this instance I have decided that a .22 will be satisfactory for me. It might not be the best, but it will be satisfactory.

Dave Sinko
 
I'll be the first to say that a .22 is not and would not be my choice for concealed carry. There are lots of better options out there. Having said that, I just can't completely discount it either. Recall John Hinckley. He shot 4 people in about 1.5 seconds with a cheap .22 and knocked three of them FLAT, right on the spot. The fourth one, Ronald Regan, would have died but for quick medical intervention.

Richard Davis, the guy that built Second Chance Body Armor (he was famous for shooting himself while he wore his armor in order to promote sales) was a pizza delivery guy in his early life. He took out three guys with a .22 revolver one night in Detroit in about 1970 when they tried to rob/murder him while he was doing a delivery. I guess it worked OK for him.

I understand that placement is everything and that larger calibers are pretty much always a better choice. Point I'm making here is that the .22 can be effective and can end a situation quickly if used properly and placed well. I'd lots rather have my little 2" Model 34 in my hand than a balled-up fist if it comes to it some night in some dark place.
 
You can find a .38 revolver, or one of many .380-.45 acp that weigh about the same but are far more effective.
 
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