Does this exist? (.22 Compact Question)

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I don't own a 22 LCR, but I wouldn't be surprised if the trigger is harder to pull than on a centerfire model. Can you test a trigger on a centerfire LCR before you decide? If the trigger is ok to her then the 327 with 32 longs would be a consideration. Best of luck.
 
I have a Iver Johnson TP22, It's like a scaled down PPK. Double action trigger is very stiff and the pistol rides low in the hand, so slide bite is frequent at time. Also since it's not in production arts and magazine are not easy to come by.
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On a side note, what about a Keltec P32? It s compact and recoil should be just a bit more than the 22.
 
^^ The Kel-Tec P32 is still a bit snappy, though not nearly as much as a similarly-sized .380 model. It's no .22LR; it does have some kick. However, adding the optional OEM 10-round magazine makes a huge difference in recoil control (but it doesn't make the grip any thicker; some shooters may find it too thin.)
 
sean m writes:

I have a Iver Johnson TP22, It's like a scaled down PPK. Double action trigger is very stiff and the pistol rides low in the hand, so slide bite is frequent at time. Also since it's not in production parts and magazine are not easy to come by.

Hardly a good recommendation then, huh?
 
The DAO Sig P250 .22 compact sounds like it might be a good fit. They are a couple on gun broker now for under $300. They were made with both fixed and adjustable sights.
 
The DAO Sig P250 .22 compact sounds like it might be a good fit. They are a couple on gun broker now for under $300. They were made with both fixed and adjustable sights.
I'll check those out; any reviews on their reliability?

Larry
 
Another vote for the Bersa Thunder 22 or its Firestorm relation. I had the Firestorm. Liked it better because it didn't have the squared off trigger guard. They like hotter ammo. I always stuck with CCI for reliability and never had a problem. Do expect a break-in period. For some reason, I also always found their slides fairly easy to rack compared to some blowbacks. At one time I owned the .380 as well. Construction is a steel slide over an aluminum frame.
 
^^ That SiG above is very intriguing. And, it can be "upgraded" to centerfire ammunition (usually, it's the other way around; you by a .22LR kit for your "real" gun.)
 
My wife likes the SR22. Its small and light, has decent sights and ours has been 100% reliable through over 1000 rounds. There are 2 sizes of grips you can put on it and the slide is easy to manipulate. Accuracy is great
 
I've owned two SR22 pistols as well as a Beretta Bobcat. Unfortunately none proved themselves reliable enough to depend on for self defense. After this experience and reading a lot about 22LR semi-autos in general, we've totally disregarded the thought of using them for self defense. It' important to me since the Mrs. will only utilize 22LR at this point. Any overtures at larger calibers have been rebuffed. The wife uses a 22LCR and thankfully is accustomed to the trigger pull through a lot of practice.
 
Larry

It's too bad your wife isn't interested in Condition 1 carry because in my not so humble opinion the Beretta Model 70S is one of the best medium frame, semi-auto .22s ever made (there's even one currently for sale on Armslist for $525). Virtually no felt recoil, great single action trigger (and very positive thumb safety), great (and easy to acquire), sights, and great ergonomics for just about anyone's hand size or shape. I have yet to have any new shooter not do well with this little .22 first time out. Or put another way I had to buy my kids their own .22s just so I could get my Beretta back!

If a DA/SA trigger is a must, you might want to consider the Model 87.

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Larry

I should add that for many years I carried this gun in Condition 1 in an Uncle Mike's OWB nylon holster on a lot of backwoods hikes. It was my semi-auto equivalent to a "Kit Gun" .22 revolver. At no time has the thumb safety ever worked it's way off and this was on some fairly rugged trails and through some pretty heavy brush.
 
I've skimmed through the comments and a few have said an SR22. I have one, it's okay, but I have had some feed issues with it with certain ammo and a few failures to fire, but those almost always shot on the DA second strike.

I really can't recommend any semi-auto .22 pistol though because there's no marketed .22 LR self defense ammunition and I think if ammo makers came out with .22 LR defense ammo that had a hyper velocity with good, reliable rimfire priming in them, a bullet that was made to penetrate as deep as possible with the little .22 it would sell very well. Even if it cost $20 for a 50 round box, people would pay for it like they do with the short barrel .22 Mag JHP.

I digress, I would either look at a .25 ACP or a .32 revolver. Used Beretta 950's are still available and at decent prices and they hold 8 rounds in a mag. You can get .25 FMJ for under $15 per 50 rds online and imo, FMJ is the only .25 to use for defense and most reliable feeding.

As for .32 revolvers, there's the Charter Arms, but it's only a 5 shot and I hate 5 shot .32 H&R Mag revolvers. Charter did make 6 shot .32 S&W Long revolvers way back and you can find them on gunbroker for $250 occasionally. The triggers on the older Charters are really, really smooth and nice. Besides Charters, Ruger LCR in .327 and give her a box of .32 S&W Long, which you can find online for under $17 per 50 rds.
 
The 22 caliber version is the 21a bobcat. It’s based on the 950 jetfire.
Loosely based -- the 21A Bobcat is SA/DA, but the 950 Jetfire was SAO.

Bersa Thunder .22 is a great pistol, IMO. Mine is 100% reliable with MiniMags. It's very easy to dump 11 rounds of them into a small space in a very short time.

No experience with the Ruger SR22, but I have a friend who swears by his.
 
I actually had a Beretta 71 (the longer barreled version) and regret to this day trading it on. That hard-chromed version is just beautiful. Sadly, my wife would *not* be amenable to condition one carry, which leaves that (and other SA autos) off the table.

Thanks for all the suggestions; we're still looking!

Larry
 
Good morning all,

The LCR and LCRx in .22 both do have a harder trigger pull than the standard LCR or LCRx in .38 (or whatever other centerfire caliber you go with). My personal advice in this situation Larry would be to keep the LCR in .22 and just have your wife practice ....practice...practice with it. I have had both the LCR and LCRx in 22 and I will say the LCRx is easier to shoot with the slightly longer sight radius, longer grip and better sight picture.

If she can get to where she can hit consistently at self defense distances this is the route I would go. Once you get the hang of the trigger on those .22 LCRs the average Joe can shoot fairly well with them. Another bonus is moving to a different revolver (especially along the LCR line) the trigger is going to be a breeze to shoot after doing a lot of rimfire work.

There is just no way I would feel comfortable with a .22 handgun for self defense that wasn't a revolver. Given the nature of rimfires, if one is a dud I would definitely want the ability to pull the trigger again and zip right on to the next round (granted I believe the SR22 does have second strike, but if the round is a dud ...its a dud and a second strike may not solve it).

In addition, you wouldn't always be worried about the possible jam situation that .22 semis seem to run at. Granted most of the time a good reliable semi is going to be 97% and those are good odds, but it only takes once at the wrong time. Lastly, you have your choice of whatever type of hot .22 ammo you want to carry with no worries about how it'll cycle.

Just my thoughts on the subject, hopefully you can get her set up on something she is happy with.

B.
 
You might try the walther ppk/s in 22. Had one a couple of years ago and it ate anything that would go in the magazine. Also it's a bit heavier than most and will soak up recoil more so than a SR22
I have one and I don't think the OP's wife will like it due to her hands being sensitive to recoil. The PPK/S has a 17# pull on the double action side, 6# after that on single action.
 
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Big fan of the Beretta 21! Feed it CCI Mini Mags or Stingers and it’ll pop along just fine. I agree the sights aren’t great, but it points well and Crimson Trace grips are available. The pop up barrel is really great for people with hand strength issues.
I also like the Ruger SR22. Trigger is not as nice as my Beretta, but it has been reliable with everything I’ve stuffed in it.
 
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