WHAT IS THE BEST .22 LR AMMUNITION FOR SELF DEFENSE?

[Guest]

Originally posted by flop-shank: ... a realization that bullet sponges are out there...

Yes, "bullet sponges" are out there but not to the degree that cutting a BG in half is a requirement nor is carrying enough ammo on a daily basis for that purpose a good idea. At least, not if you carry enough gun to begin with. Now if you're in the Military and in a combat zone and all "they" are offering you is a .22 then carry as much as you can. Increasing the ammo numbers was the whole reason for adopting the M-16 to begin with and making them machine guns to boot pretty much says it all - NOT enough gun so "cut 'em in half" and let somebody else sort out the parts!

Yep, "Spray & Pray Generation" without a question.

 

[Ultraman]

Originally posted by KKG:

Originally posted by flop-shank: ... a realization that bullet sponges are out there...

Yep, "Spray & Pray Generation" without a question.

Originally posted by Ultraman:
I will say that it is for canceled carry and I'm a civilian not a police officer. I don't carry a back up or
speed loaders... I'll shoot-shoot and maybe shoot and try to break contact and get away ASAP! Bill

But I will admit... 8 is more better than 6

 

[Bobwtn]

I know in Erich's he has some good figures and I would copy them, then go to North American Arms.com and look at all their data on 22 rounds. They make a lot of 22 and there is a page with such info. Personally, I like Stinger ammo, basically a good hollow point. I currenty just use 22 for Ruger rifles, but I used to have a 22 NAA revolver.

 

[Erich]

RDak, that 351 is really nifty!

 

[GatorFarmer]

Originally posted by RDak:
Interesting discussion.

If you don't mind me asking the same question except make it about .22 magnum.

I have a S&W 351PD that a police Lt. and my CPL instructor both said is very adequate for concealed carry.

I've always been torn about .22 mag being enough but the handgun is so light!!

Any thoughts about what kind of .22 mag shells to buy.

Both of the "pros" who said it was a good cartridge for self-defense said get hollow points.

Thanks for any opinions.

I'm thinking it might be a good gun for concealed carry in the warm months. Of course, up here in Michigan, this lasts for about 2 weeks!!

I'm actually from Michigan and flopshank is still there. He carries, if I remember right, a 629 and a couple of BUGs. My classic MI carry was a Kimber CDP and a couple of BUGs, one of which was actually a BHP.

Anyway, there are .32 and .38 revolvers that weigh essentially the same as your 351 is saving weight is simply your goal.

My experience with .22 Mag handguns was limited to a HS DM101 derringer and an NAA Mini, both of which tended to keyhole. To the extent that I used my NAA as a BUG, I kept it loaded with FMJ rounds.

 

[flop-shank]

A 351 isn't really a bad idea as an end of the line BUG (not my choice, but I could see the logic of it) it's light recoil could be helpful if you are wounded and it's higher capacity will give you more shots than a 5 shooter. I would advise carrying something more powerful as a primary if possible, but that's your decision. I don't beat up good guys for what they carry. I'm just glad that they do.

FWIW most .22 lr., and I'll guess magnum, hollowpoints will not expand from a 2" barrel. CCI maxi-mag hollowpoint +Vs are what I load in my Black Widow (it's my end of the line BUG). They do not expand, but should penetrate very deeply. They definately did when I tested them in Perma-Gel. If your gun likes that load I would look no further. I researched .22 mag. ammo and the online data I found showed that load as having much higher velocity from a short barrel than your average .22 magnum fare.

 

[gold40]

I sometimes carry a Walther P-22 as my CCW. It is light and convenient, perhaps not ideal - but adequate. It holds 10 high-speed .22lr solids, and is 100% reliable.

JERRY

 

[Erich]

Well, I've got this in my pocket right now!

(Of course, I've got a .45 right over there . . .)

 

[Firehouse]

Does anyone have any data on the 22 magnum Hornady 30gr. V-Max? My Aunt purchased a 351PD and she asked for a recommendation on carry ammo and I gave her a box of that. It looked like good stuff, and Hornady has a great reputation for dependable ammo. Thanks.

 

[RDak]

Thanks for the info. Gator and flop-shank.

That's the exact ammo I have for the revolver flop-shank.

Erich, what is that neat little gun you pictured?

 

[flop-shank]

You are most welcome, RDak.

Firehouse, I'm sure that Hornady ammo has the goods as far as velocity is concerned. .22 lr. CCI Stingers will do 12" from my Black Widow (Perma-Gel). If that bullet expands from a short barrel, it may lack in penetration. I'm not at all familiar with that ammo so I just don't know. I would do testing of my own, look for test results online and based on what I learned possibly switch to Maxi-mag +V after the Hornady ammo is gone from normal routine use.

 

[Erich]

Beretta 21a, RDak - the source of the chrono data on the first page.

 

[RDak]

Oh, the Beretta Tomcat. Never shot one but they look like nice little pistols.

https://www.berettausa.com/e2w...100001364:3100001371

 

[Andy Taylor]

Actually that is the Tomcat's little brother the Bobcat, AKA Model 21A.

 

[S/W - Lifer]

There are some ups-and-downs to this, as you can imagine. Organized crime and security services have used .22 LR handguns with success. Accidental shootings with the .22 have accounted for numerous deaths. I expect coroners see the results of .22 shootings fairly often.

The trick is making it happen on your terms. As noted by others, penetration is the key and you need to strike a vital area. I'd rule hollowpoints out. Twenty-two caliber bullets tend to do strange things once inside the human body so results vary.

Downers are the low velocity out of a revolver, as described by others, and the effects of adrenalin on the human body. Once adrenalin kicks in people are hard to put down. I'd try to shoot first, get good hits, and keep at it until it's over, one way or the other.

 

[RDak]

Originally posted by Lucky Derby:
Actually that is the Tomcat's little brother the Bobcat, AKA Model 21A.

You're right. The .32 is the Tomcat!!

 

[flop-shank]

As noted by others, penetration is the key and you need to strike a vital area. I'd rule hollowpoints out.

I haven't tested a ton of loads, but I think pretty much any .22 lr. and almost all .22 mag. hollowpoints will not expand from a 2" barrel.

 

[Ultraman]

Years ago I read a documentary about Tunnel Rats.
During the Vietnam area it said many would use a RUGER MARK 1
due to reliability and low noise in the tunnel. I wonder what kind
of ammo they used?

 

[GatorFarmer]

Originally posted by Ultraman:
Years ago I read a documentary about Tunnel Rats.
During the Vietnam area it said many would use a RUGER MARK 1
due to reliability and low noise in the tunnel. I wonder what kind
of ammo they used?

The "Tunnels of Cu Chi" claimed that .38s -snubs if they could be had - (presumably loaded with FMJ unless someone got their hands on some Super Vel) were most liked by the tunnel rats.

 

[Guest]

Originally posted by Ultraman: ...I wonder what kind of ammo they used?

I had the pleasure of supplying a number to the Tunnel Rats with 'White Box' standard velocity Target ammo. I also had the pleasure of doing a minor repair on one of the Rugers that had a suppressor built into the barrel assembly. I believe that it was found that firing a .38 Special or a .45ACP in such confined spaces wasn't a good idea. Loss of hearing, vision problems because of flying junk and the possibility of cave-ins were just three of the problems.

I had a copy of the book "Tunnels of Cu Chi" but was never able to get past the first few pages. It brought back too many memories.