.22 LR vs .22 Magnum Pocket Gun

[Carbonator]

Smith & Wesson has 2 new revolvers - nearly identical J frames with shrouded hammer for pocket carry:

Model 43C - .22 LR, 8 shot
Model 351C - .22 Magnum, 7 shot

Which of these 2 models would you choose for a self defense pocket gun if these were your only options?

 

[M2 Carbine]

choose for a self defense pocket gun if these were your only options?

I'd have to say the more powerful 22 Mag, except I believe in shooting my defense guns a LOT and all that 22 Mag would get real expensive.

So, personally I'd have to choose the 22LR.

 

[joneb]

The 22 mag. would be a better choice for self defense, but at $8 to $10 for 50rnds I would consider a .38 spl.
Sorry.

 

[Armored farmer]

I own .22 mags in both rifle and handgun.

The .22 mag is pretty potent compared to the .22lr... .

Personally I would feel pretty well armed with a .22mag against all but the very largest 4 legged critters. However, if you just intend to use your pocket gun for plinking or B.U.G. then just go .22lr.

 

[Onward Allusion]

The flash from a .22 mag would be a heck of a lot greater and it is definitely a factor at night. You can end up blinding yourself for a follow-up.

From a 2" barrel the difference between .22LR and .22Mag is not great. The .22LR throws off about 80 ft lb & the mag is about 100 ft lb - give or take. For those kind of ballistics, I'd rather have an additional round in an adrenalin filled situation. So my vote is for the 43C.

The above ballistics about the same as .25ACP. Also, why carry either when a P32 or P3AT can be had for less weight with the reliability of centerfire and much quicker reload.

 

[Clifford]

I really like the .22 magnum, that said if it were me I'd rather have the LR with one extra round in a pocket revo. That and the .22 mag in a short barrel is LOUD.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Is this to be your only gun, or a backup? A .22 Mag. JHP would be the obvious choice, I would think. But in the same size gun you could get .38 Special.

 

[snooperman]

I agree, your life is on the line...

you need to carry something that has a higher probability of stopping the attacker. The 22 calibers are on the low end of the spectrum in this regard. For a backup gun you also need something that will do the job as well. Do not compromize, as you are carrying it for the purpose of defending your life. I would not carry anything less than a 38 special +P , either way. My 2 cents.

 

[MCgunner]

I voted .22 mag, but in reality, I'd choose 5 .38s, myself.

 

[fishjar]

Save yourself some (a lot) of money and just buy a NAA Mini if you are looking for .22lr/mag for SD.

Then wait on a S&W 34-1 2" bbl, adjustable sights, for plinking and woods walking.

That's what I did.

Now I may have a SW 637 in the other pocket

 

[Confederate]

All things being equal reliability-wise, I'd most likely choose the magnum. I don't have the aversion to the .22s that many people have and would consider a Ruger Mark II to be an ideal home defense gun. As you get into pocket guns, things change somewhat. I'm not convinced that the WMR offers much out of a pcket gun.

It does, however, have more energy, so that's why I'd go with them.

 

[MCgunner]

More potential penetration for the mag IMHO gives it a (okay, on paper) ballistic edge. I don't know which one is less adequate. I put it that way because I know neither is really adequate. I do have a couple of NAAs for deep concealment if needed, beats nothing if that's the only other choice.

Hmm, well, I should put up my .357 magnum in the drawer of the nightstand and replace it with my Mk 2 I guess. NOT!

 

[JT'sDad]

I have the 351pd. Nice gun, definitely a short range 7yd type piece. Very light and very easy to carry.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Which of these 2 models would you choose for a self defense pocket gun if these were your only options?

I will respect your question by not giving an answer other than what you are asking for but I'm unable to answer truthfully so I will refrain from voting.

 

[pezo]

I have a .22 magnum with a 1 1/8" barrel and the flash and noise arnt at all that bad. I find it less of a issue than with my 2" .38 as far as that goes. Noise level approaches .38 pretty close but flash is not what others have claimed. I actually have read people say that the noise level of .22 mag is near .357 mag and that is sooooooo not true. I will shoot up to 3 rounds of .22 mag consequtively indoors (barring self defesne reasons of course) without hearing protection no problem. I wouldnt dream of touching off a .357 mag 1 shot without hearing indoors or out. Dear lord no comparison.

 

[federalfarmer]

I voted 22 Mag. I have shot 22 LR and Mag side by side many times to compare, and really believe the difference.....different! The ammo cost is a hard one to defend for plinking, but for carry I would get the .22 Mag.

 

[RandyB]

I would be interested in seeing the velocity on the .22lr vs .22 mag. I am betting it is slim to none. So I voted for the .22 lr. Odds being I would carry the 60 grain bullet.

 

[jmortimer]

Better than nothing but really it is "dumb and dumber" - the results at Brass Fetcher clearly support the FMJ .22 Mag. http://www.brassfetcher.com/index_files/Page1504.htm

 

[captain awesome]

can't you shoot 22lr from a 22mag revolver? correct me if I am wrong, never had a 22mag. but if you can, that would solve the problem in my book, practice with 22lr, carry 22mag. If accuracy is an issue, it sounds like a belly gun anyway.

 

[Armored farmer]

can't you shoot 22lr from a 22mag revolver? correct me if I am wrong, never had a 22mag. but if you can, that would solve the problem in my book, practice with 22lr, carry 22mag. If accuracy is an issue, it sounds like a belly gun anyway.

you are hereby corrected...


only in .22lr/.22mag convertable revolvers(different cylinders)
.22lr is a "heeled" bullet....22mag is not, making the brass dia a bit larger

 

[Onward Allusion]

From a 2" barrel the difference in velocity is about 100 to 300 feet per second, depending on load.

RandyB
I would be interested in seeing the velocity on the .22lr vs .22 mag. I am betting it is slim to none. So I voted for the .22 lr. Odds being I would carry the 60 grain bullet.

 

[CoRoMo]

I'd take whatever round count of .22mag over double that in .22lr, YMMV. And I would shoot lead solids and forget the hollow points out of a handgun.

 

[ms6852]

Personally I am going to buy my wife the model 351 or the model 48. She had personally selected the model 642 airlight againt my wishes, (needless to say I lost that argument) and when she fired it she realized the recoil was too much for her, bruised her thumb and palm. Now she won't shoot it but carries it out of town and will use it if she has to. I feel better if I buy her a 22 mag that she will shoot on a regular basis knowing that she will be proficient with her personal defense weapon. I would hate to be shot by a 22lr but even more would hate it less than a 22 mag.

 

[Mp7]

more BOOM. more better.

.22mag.

( and another vote for a LCR.38, 5shot.)

 

[mgkdrgn]

No contest, 22Mag.

22Mag is not just a 22lr on steroids. It's a particularly nasty little round that never quite gets it's due.