22LR EDC self-defense handgun?

A Glock 44, after it has been rung out for reliability with the 'best' SD round (an issue of controversy). Now it has a limited capacity mag and there are other clones of SD 9mm pistols with higher capacities, but I don't have experience with them.

I would carry the .22LR pistol with the most capacity compatible with concealment (a KelTec CP33 holds 33 rounds but looks bulky) and tested for reliability with 40 grain bullets. Taurus TX 22 holds 16 rounds, so that's an option. Taurus has some haters so I would shoot 200-300 rounds before trusting it.

I would carry my Glock 44. It runs hollow points well.

To me a .22lr is a get off me gun so I would go small, Beretta Bobcat, Walther PPKs, etc..

One of those featherweight S&W .22 revolvers. Eight shots.

Styx said:

If all you were allowed to carry was a 22lr, so you had to pick a 22lr handgun to EDC for self defense, what one handgun would you choose to carry. I ask because I seen a thread on another forum where a member had no other option but to carry a 22lr because of health reasons, so I am wondering what 22lr handguns you all would carry and trust the most to defend your life with.

(This is purely a hypothetical question not meant to be over analyzed.)

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An LCR or other .22 revolver.

GEM said:

A Glock 44, after it has been rung out for reliability with the 'best' SD round (an issue of controversy). Now it has a limited capacity mag and there are other clones of SD 9mm pistols with higher capacities, but I don't have experience with them.

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I like Glock 44s, but not all of them run reliably.

CoalCrackerAl said:

I would carry my Glock 44. It runs hollow points well.

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Targa said:

To me a .22lr is a get off me gun so I would go small, Beretta Bobcat, Walther PPKs, etc..

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I just got a Bobcat. I’d prefer something with a longer barrel simply to get more velocity if for SD. A 4 inch barreled .22 will get more velocity out of a mini mag, velocitor, stinger, etc.

My first, and best choice for a .22 for EDC, would be my Beretta Model 70S. Totally reliable with just about any ammo, accurate (along with having an adjustable rear sight), and just the right size and weight for comfortable all-day carrying.

I have my new Kel-Tec P17, 16+1 rounds that I would probably carry even though I'm not all that fond of the grip. Kinda like holding on to a 1x3 board.

My Ruger SR-22, it's light, easy to conceal, remarkable accurate if you do your part and holds 10 rounds.

a Ruger Standard, pick your mark, with reliable mags. I pick it as it is just what I have, and has the longest barrel, and seems more accurate to me than other pistols.

film495 said:

a Ruger Standard, pick your mark, with reliable mags. I pick it as it is just what I have, and has the longest barrel, and seems more accurate to me than other pistols.

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The thing is, I considered including my Mark IV Target, which is basically a Standard. However, for carry they are too big. Yes, for home defense if someone was limited to a .22 handgun, not rifle, for sure a larger .22 with a 5.5 inch barrel (such as my Mark IV) would be more effective. There's a big difference between a 5.5 inch barrel and let's say a 2 inch barrel in a Ruger LCR revolver in .22. But, those Standards and Mark IV Targets are too big to carry unless a large OWB holster.

BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: .22 Results

Of interest is my 5.5 inch Mark IV barrel, as demonstrated above with a Mark 5.5 inch test gun, propels a minimag at the same velocity as a full rifle barrel standard velocity round. Velicitors at 1181 FPS. Both are 40 grain. Clear difference compared to your .22 pocket pistols for the same rounds. For example, the same table shows my Bobcat 21a with a 2.5 inch barrel firing those rounds at 851 and 895 FPS respectively.

Due to carry limitations, if I had to carry a .22 full time, I'd likely aim for a 4 inch barrel in between those two guns.

I guess if that (22 cal.) is all you have I would carry it. I don’t have a 22 cal. That is small enough for concealment. I guess if I had one of those lite 8 shot J frames?

If forced to do so: The ammo choice would be something premium and vetted.

Revolver: My 8-round 22.lr LCR. I'd look for a second LCR in that case, one in the pocket and one on the belt.
Autoloader: My TX22, 16+1 and a spare mag or two.

Styx said:

If all you were allowed to carry was a 22lr, so you had to pick a 22lr handgun to EDC for self defense, what one handgun would you choose to carry. I ask because I seen a thread on another forum where a member had no other option but to carry a 22lr because of health reasons, so I am wondering what 22lr handguns you all would carry and trust the most to defend your life with.

(This is purely a hypothetical question not meant to be over analyzed.)

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...if I could find a holster for it

I would probably go with one of the two I have now.

A rimfire round tends to be less reliable out of an auto, and dud rounds aren't uncommon regardless of the gun. So, I might go with a revolver, failure drill (short of cylinder binding) is easy and a bit quicker than an auto, just pull the trigger again. My choice would be my S&W 317. Some people have had issues with them, but mine hasn't and I usually run it pretty dirty and still no problems. It is quite lightweight for carry.

Most likely I'd go with my Taurus Tx22. It seems that Taurus got these right as I see a lot of people on these gun forums who are happy with theirs. Mine will shoot anything I feed it, 100% reliable. It would be pretty light for carry, it feels good in my hands, and 16 round mags (that are pretty compact for also carrying a spare) are reassuring. Heck, I've actually considered buying a holster for it in case I ever do decide to carry it from time to time (I know I shouldn't, but I kind of want to).

bannockburn said:

My first, and best choice for a .22 for EDC, would be my Beretta Model 70S. Totally reliable with just about any ammo, accurate (along with having an adjustable rear sight), and just the right size and weight for comfortable all-day carrying.
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Seems like a good choice to me. I believe it was a favorite of the Mossad.

i’m moving inexorably in this direction with a ruger sr22. i’ve put maybe 15,000 rounds over 10 years through one. it’s consistently reliable, easy and handy. i’ve come to know it well and become accurate with it. my environments are relatively low threat.

S&W "Kit" gun, 'J' frame model 34.

Starter52 said:

One of those featherweight S&W .22 revolvers. Eight shots.

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Me too! The S&W Model 43C is what I would get.

I would choose an eight or nine shot revolver because you can't really trust .22 ammunition 100% of the time. Second choice would be a TX 22 with CCI HV 40 grain solids. Not chosen because of frequent malfunctions the Glock 44 and Sig P322. My SIg just came back from repair for FTF (light strikes) we'll see.

It wouldn't be entirely out of the question for me to carry a highly accurate 22 on a bona-fide wilderness adventure. I would likely choose a s&w 17 or a buckmark with rds or a ruger MK with rds.

If I were to edc a .22 I would likely choose a .22 LCP. My buddy bought one for his mom....it actually shoots pretty good.

Armored farmer said:

It wouldn't be entirely out of the question for me to carry a highly accurate 22 on a bona-fide wilderness adventure. I would likely choose a s&w 17 or a buckmark with rds or a ruger MK with rds.

If I were to edc a .22 I would likely choose a .22 LCP. My buddy bought one for his mom....it actually shoots pretty good.

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The LCP .22's unfortunately have a lot of threads on problems on the Ruger forum, including reliability.

It'd be a revolver if I'm betting my life on rimfire.