.22 caliber revolver for personal protection for my wife?

[FireInCairo]

I don't think I'd like to take 3 or 4 hollowpoint .22 rounds to the chest.

My wife needs something small, lightweight, and easy to handle. She doesn't like my airweight S&W .38. Too much bang and buck for her delicate hands.

 

[Ruodo]

Thought about .32 S&W? Its a little bigger, not the best for SD but better than .22

Have you thought about a larger heavier framed .38? Less recoil

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

well, a bruised hand is a small price to pay for saving her/yours/others lives.

however, you want something she'll practice with. what about something in between .22 and .38? or a heavier .38...

http://www.naaminis.com/index02.html

edit: haha ruodo, great minds think alike, eh?

 

[FireInCairo]

I was considering a larger .38 with more heft, but then she would be less likely to tote it around. Maybe a .32 would be a good compromise?

 

[Iggy]

Get her to try a steel J frame or a Medium frame .38 Ruger or S&W, your choice.

 

[woad_yurt]

That's what my girlfriend carries. It's a small, nickel-plated hammerless H&R five shooter .32. They're very dependable, very simple and very convenient because they're so small. Finally, something she'll regularly carry 24/7.

A bit bulkier but better, I think, would be an H&R snubby 922. It's perfect for Supermaximums or Velocitors, which hit a little harder than .32 S&W. They hold nine rounds. The 929 had a swing out cylinder, like S&Ws, but they were heavier.

Here's an H&R 922 six shooter in .32 long, which is another virtually non-recoiling cartridge. Federal makes nasty, pretty powerful .32 long wadcutter ammo. I've owned a bunch of 922s and 929s and I know from experience these are good, little guns.

About hollowpoint .22s: I wouldn't sacrifice any penetration at all with .22 LR hollowpoints. I'd use solid points.

Anyway, here's a good one:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/93127401...rington-Richardson-Pistols/732_32_SW_LONG.htm

 

[MNinfidel]

Many would suggest a centerfire handgun, I would tend to agree. But you asked for a .22, my suggestion would be a Ruger Bearcat.

 

[tom327]

Those advocating .38s make a good point, but if you are determined to make it a .22, the S&W model 317 AirLite is the way to go:

Model: 317
Caliber: .22LR
Capacity: 8 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1 7/8"
Front Sight: Integral Front
Rear Sight: Fixed
Grip: Rubber Grips
Frame: Small - Chiefs Special Style
Finish: Clear Coat
Overall Length: 6 1/4"
Material: Alloy
Weight Empty: 10.5 oz.

or the 3" HiViz version at 11.9 oz.

I can vouch for the latter--it's a sweet shooter.

It boils down to--what is she more likely to carry?

-Tom

 

[CSA 357]

A 22 beats a sharp stick, i would go with a auto, like a ruger mk 2

 

[RyanM]

I don't think I'd like to take 3 or 4 hollowpoint .22 rounds to the chest.

I would hate to see 3 or 4 angry wasps flying at me, but carrying some wasps in a glass jar with air holes in the lid and some sugar water, and throwing it on the ground in front of the bad guy is also a bad idea.

An airweight .32 H&R magnum (they'll work with .32 S&W, like .357 mag and .38 SPL) wouldn't be a bad choice. But have you tried 148 gr target wadcutters in the airweight .38? Wadcutters, despite their low velocity, are the bullet of choice for some people, for a very light kicking .38 load.

And don't rule out some of the pocket sized 9mm autos. Recoil op semi-autos often have a much softer felt recoil than revolvers of the same power and weight.

 

[bhp9mm]

a 22 is better then noting and sure better then a 25 a 22 would not be that bad loaded with ammo like cci Stingers

 

[jaybr]

I went through this not long ago and ended up with a Taurus 22 magnum

 

[stana]

There are advantages to using a 22 for a SD handgun. First and most important is the low cost of ammo allowing cheap and regular pratice.

The skill of the person is more important than the choice of handgun.

You are right in thinking a revolver would be best. Rimfire ammo is less dependable than centerfire. A missfire with a double action revolver is far less of a concern than in a simiauto.

And when she becomes skilled and confident she may want something larger.

(I do know two womem who cary small 22 simi autos)

 

[earplug]

Good hits better then misses

I used to shoot junk yard dogs that lived near my home. I found out quite a bit about bullet performance and the need to hit something that will stop.
I know a rib shot 60 pound dog with a 45 ACP FMJ will just stand there and bleed out. A head shot dog will be dead real quick. I saw little difference between 45 ACP, 44spl, 38 spl and a 22lr rifle.
If you have ever hit a prairie dog or rabbit with a 22LR HP and seen it run away you would have a idea about the fallacy of handgun power.
In my experience a semi auto will be a better weapon then a equal power revolver. The military and law enforcement agencies will agree.
Many revolver shooters only practice by first cocking the hammer. This is not the way to enter a gunfight.
Your wife may be better served with a tip up barrel built by Taurus or Beretta. Many people with small hands or weak fingers have problems with heavy DA triggers and the springs on blow back operated pistols.
If its is going to be a home gun, you might consider a full size pistol with a 22 conversion. In time the center fire upper will be able to be used to full effect.

 

[xstuntman]

I'm not hung up on caliber as much as good ammo and practice. My wife and I both carry .22's loaded with quality ammo like CCI. Besides we can't get handgun ammo here anyhow and barely any 22 stuff.

Someday I might carry a .45lc when we get an open carry, till then a .22 is just fine for us. X

 

[mnrivrat]

Small frame light weight revolver with little recoil and pleasant to shoot.

Some suggestions I am familier with are the Taurus small frame guns. I carry a Model 731 in .32 H&R magnum. You can also shoot .32 S&W or .32 S&W longs through this gun. For SD it would be a good choice for what you are looking for - S&W also made a LT in a J frame gun in this caliber but you will have to look for an old stock or used one as they are no longer in production.

Then there is the .22 magnum in the Taurus Model 941 which is again the small frame light weight and packs considerably more energy the the .22 LR cartridge yet is mild to shoot.

In the .22 LR there is the Taurus model 94 in a light weight gun or the S&W model 317 .

Look at them and a few others and let the wife pick which one she is most comfortable with.

 

[FireInCairo]

Indoor, this is a great suggestion:


http://www.naaminis.com/index02.html

She's been wanting to try an automatic, too.

 

[CDH]

You might also see what's available in the new .327 Mag.

It's much easier to handle than a .357, but is still a great SD round.
I'm thinking that this "might" end up being a very popular caliber for women over time.

 

[CajunBass]

My wife carried a 22 for years. It wasn't a revolver, but a Bersa Firestorm 22. Good little gun. Ten rounds, DA/SA trigger. With good ammo (CCI mini-mags) it went bang every time she pulled the trigger, ejected the spend round, and loaded the next one. Eleven rounds of those were a LOT better than a sharp stick, or crying and begging "Please don't hurt me."

Eventually my wife got herself a Glock 19, but it was HER decision, not mine. She never used that little Bersa as a self-defense weapon, but it would have worked quite well. In the meantime she learned to shoot. She learned to clean a gun. She learned to carry one...when to use it, and when not to. She learned to not be afraid of a gun, that she too, could do this.

Just because she starts with a 22, doesn't mean she has to stay with it forever.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I went through this not long ago and ended up with a Taurus 22 magnum

Got quite a bark and bite for such a little thing, ain't it?

 

[freakshow10mm]

The .327 Fed kicks quite a bit for a .32. I had one when they first came out. I was surprised at the muzzle blast and recoil.

I suggest the .32 H&R or get the .327 and feed it .32 H&Rs for practice and carry a decent .327 Fed load for SD.

 

[gbw]

One idea I might try is to try to find her a good used S&W lightweight (alloy) hammerless .32 or .38. Very small and light. Shouldn't be too hard to find.

It will cost a good bit less than the new Smith .22 LW Revolver, which are very pricy!

Practice then with a very lightly loaded .32 or .38 - any reloader can bring these down to almost no recoil and little noise. Carry with whatever power she can stand. If she ever really needs it the recoil won't matter.

Sorry, pretty much same idea as mnrivrat above.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

my suggestion would be a Ruger Bearcat.

He wants it for self defese though. I would also probably stay away from the mini-revolvers. They are light enough they migh have a lot of recoil.

 

[Larry Burchfield]

22 revolver

Have you looked at the SP101 22lr pistol? There is one for sale either here or on rimfirecentral. This would make a good ladies gun and also a nice everyday plinker.
Not to change the subject but if said weapon is to be keep in condition one have you considered a glock in 9 mm. I think they make a model with an external safety now. This would be a soft shooting package. My wife keeps a g-23 with crimson trace grips and w/w silver tips at hand for intruders.
Although I prefer a good revolver myyself.
Larry Burchfield
SEABEES/RVN/67/68/69
DAV

 

[Byron]

Focusing on the question of 22's for defense, the Tarus 94 Lite weight is good. My wife use to fire 357's and 9MM's a lot. Serious health issues do not allow anymore recoil than a 22.A friend has been an EMT many years and worked his way to be over all in his dept.He has told me he has seen many deaths due to 22 LR 40 grain solids.CCI seems to be the best of the lot.
By the way, we had our 38th Anniversary this month. Byron