9mm vs. .22Magnum in a rifle...

9mm vs. .22Mag...Which one?

  • .22 Magnum

    Votes: 8 36.4%
  • 9mm

    Votes: 14 63.6%

  • Total voters
    22
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seeker_two

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I'm thinking about getting a small, semi-auto carbine as a plinking/small varmint/truck rifle. After a lot of thought, I've narrowed it down to carbines in either 9mm or .22Magnum....

1. Relatively cheap ammo for both.
2. Easy to shoot.
3. Lightweight.
4. Can be found for under $300.
5. Similar in energy out of a carbine barrel.

Now I'm having trouble deciding b/t the two....

1. 9mm has more bullet weight & "punch"...
2. .22Mag has better accuracy & trajectory past 50 yards...
3. Some 9mm carbines can use "high-cap" mags...
4. .22Mag ammo is lighter & smaller (can carry more in the same space)

So, which one makes sense to buy?....


Thanks in advance...:D
 
9mm, simply because it's easier to find, quite cheap (Wolf) and there are many many carbines that take pistol mags.
 
Hmm.. interesting question.

What size varmints? chipmunks, rats, coons, coyotes??

Unless you're shooting short-range (<30-50 yards?), why ever choose a 9mm for varmints?
I don't really see the appeal of a 9mm truck rifle, as opposed to .30-30, .308, or .223.

I've always thought .22 Mag was silly, but you might look into that new (2 years ago) .17 Rem Rimfire, if you're considering small varmints. If you want something bigger, just go .223!
 
A lot of 9mm carbine talk lately!
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2 legged vermin-9mm
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4 legged vermin .22wmr
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I like both, have both.
.22wmr is a great little hunter but in semiautos might not be as reliable as a 9mm carbine. (I use a bolt .22wmr-CZ)
My Ruger 9mm will group about 3" at 100 yards with good hp's and a scope.
It's the only Ruger firearm that I've ever liked.
 
Where did you get the .22 mag was more accuratethan a 9mm past 50 yards????? About a month ago I set up a bottle !CAP! at 100 yards thinking it was going to be a tough challenge so I loaded a clip in my 9mm Hi-point carbine and took a shot. Missed, Durn. Took a second shot. Spattered it. Theres no way in heck I could of done that with a .22 mag. I mean I couldnt even see the cap hardly. I defineitely reccomend the 9mm carbine. :)
 
I love my PC9 carbine, it's very accurate, but my CZ bolt .22wmr will shoot under an inch at 100 yards all day long.
I've owned two .22wmr's and the have both been more accurate than any .22lr I've owned.
At 200 yards, the .22wmr really shines.
 
I thought he said "varmints" with low cost ammo -- to me, this means shooting small mammals at relatively long distances .. maybe 50 -300 yards. For such a purpose, the low velocity and low sectional density of 9mm is just silly.

A fast rimfire or .223 seems much better than 9mm if this is really the purpose.

If you just want to bust coke cans <100 yards, then it really doesn't matter what you use.
 
I do love shooting my dad's lever 94 in .22 magnum, but it seems kinda silly since it is more expensive than .223. Something like a .223 Saiga is cheap, accurate, and much more effective than either .22 mag or 9mm.
 
If I had to choose between the two, I vote for the 9mm.

A .223 or other rifle caliber might be fine for a truck gun, but a lot depends on where you live. In many areas you definitely don't want to shoot a rifle caliber. A 9mm rifle has a very low sound signature. That makes it very handy for use in areas where excessive noise would cause problems or complaints.

I routinely shoot my 9mm out to 150 yards with no problems. Hitting a coyote size target is relatively easy.

Just make sure you use a JHP. FMJs zip right through them with little or no effect.

Good Shooting
Red
 
I reckon it depends on what you want to nail.

Personally, if I was figuring on stuff like armadillos and possums and such, I'd go
with the .22 Mag. If you're thinking more along the lines of feral dogs, get the 9mm.

John
 
If you are going to depend on the carbine to save your bacon, then my answer would be 'neither of the above'. Get a decent caliber weapon, .223 at least, and stop fooling your self that pistol caliber carbines are worthwhile for defense.
 
Mannlicher, if pistol caliber carbines aren't worth anything for defence, then pistols must be even worse. :rolleyes:

I think that a carbine is a perfect compromise when in a pistol caliber, due to ease of firing, low noise, low recoil, etc.
 
You know, this would be a good role for one of those .44 magnum carbines which Ruger made for a while (they started making them again, I think, with a slightly different design?)

Of course, .44 isn't near as cheap as .223, 9mm, or .22rimfire, but if that carbine has any role, it's this one!
 
Another CZ 22 mag owner. Rifle is scary accurate at 100 yards, easily under an inch (benched, scoped and favorite rounds) when not drinking too much coffe.

Am also very fond of short pistol caliber levers, especially in 44 mag with open sights.

Can't even see a bottle cap at 100 yards, without a high power scope and very fine cross hairs.:confused: Woulkdn't keep me from liking a semi auto in 9mm or 45 acp. Easy fast shooting at closer range.
 
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