.22 pistol in your defensive battery of guns...

I recall a certain gun magazine writer who reviewed a S&W (I think it was) snub-nosed ,22 revolver and enthused about it. It wasn't very powerful, but you could "put one in the bad guy's tear duct."

Yeah. While he's putting .45s in your torso.

Chic Gaylord, who gave me my first handgun lessons at 11 Years old put a High Standard Sentinel Snub in my hand and told my uncle how ideal it was for me (when I turned 18) . My Uncle gave me a S&W Kit gun when I turned 18 tho.... He died not long afterward and I got all his guns.

Just bought a High Standard derringer in 22 Mag. I will use it as a backup to my EDC. I also have a Walther PPKs in 22, holds 10 rounds. It wouldn't be my first choice, but I would use it in a pinch.

aarondhgraham said:

A 10-round Ruger LCPII loaded with 40 grain mini-mags,,,
Beats harsh language and a rape whistle any day of the month.

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"All of the above" would be my recommendation.

Considering the low power of the .22 round, shot placement is critical. In other words, the shooter would have to be in the position to take the initiative, and not be limited to reacting. So, the term "defensive" is misplaced when it comes to a .22 pistol. The term "offensive" would be more apt. (In the right hands and under the right circumstances, the .22 pistol could make an ideal assassination tool. But let's not go there.)

AlexanderA said:

Considering the low power of the .22 round, shot placement is critical. In other words, the shooter would have to be in the position to take the initiative, and not be limited to reacting. So, the term "defensive" is misplaced when it comes to a .22 pistol. The term "offensive" would be more apt. (In the right hands and under the right circumstances, the .22 pistol could make an ideal assassination tool. But let's not go there.)

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The .22 LR IS used as an assassination tool -- by the Israeli Mossad, among other agencies. But as a DEFENSIVE weapon, where the attacker has the initiative, and you can only react, no -- it's hardly what I would choose.

I often carry my S&W 317 when walking the dogs around my home area. Coyote country.
(top one in the pic, 8 rds and weighs nothing)

I revise my statement and don't really factor a 22lr into defensive use.

I've been using 22s more with the ammo drought .

Even the good Cci stuff ive had some failures due to things like oil, elements etc. If this is your first round that is fouled in an automatic that would be no bueno.

I have a 22 revolver that could be pressed into service if for some reason it had to be but I can't realistically imagine a scenario where that would be the case.

Good quality centerfire ammo is just more reliable and reliability is pretty important.

I think .22LR as a training round and for plinking is fantastic. I have a friend who carries one of those tiny NAA revolvers was a last ditch gun and I think that's what they're good for. I'm not a fan of rimfire for SD, but as someone pointed out, it's probably better than a sharp stick.

At one time all I had was a .22 pistol and it served me well enough, frightening off an attacker who probably wasn't expecting armed resistance.
This was back before meth was a thing though.

Not my first, second or third choice but beats feet,fists and foul language. Would only carry one as a back up to a primary carry and only for very deep concealment. For home defense, a full size pistol. Jeff Cooper said to aim for the eye sockets, the throat is another good target.

BLACKHAWKNJ said:

Not my first, second or third choice but beats feet,fists and foul language. Would only carry one as a back up to a primary carry and only for very deep concealment. For home defense, a full size pistol. Jeff Cooper said to aim for the eye sockets, the throat is another good target.

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A good target is one you can hit -- which is why we teach students to aim for center of mass.

My thoughts about "defensive battery"... if I'm TRULY worried, I am going for a rifle or shotgun first. And by "rifle", I'm talking at least "assault rifle" standards, 5.56 or 7.62x39, if not full size 30 cal that could take down a bear, let alone a human.
If I'm a bit leery (say, going shopping somewhere late, after dark), then a 9 or 45 may accompany me.

If it's "normal", then that can get downgraded to .32 or even .22. I picked up a Beretta 21A that's barely larger than my wallet, and happily shoots accurately enough with the right ammo, that although not my first choice, I'd dang sure prefer to a stick.
I've heard a lot about .22 lr not igniting consistently, I think that comes down to brand and price. You get something like CCI Blazer, and I think you're good to go. Worst case scenario with the Beretta 21A, it's metal-frame, so if it jams or malfunctions, it's a hunk of steel that would hurt to get whacked with.

I don't even own a 22lr handgun anymore......

460Shooter said:

I don't even own a 22lr handgun anymore......

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I have a bolt action. 22 rifle

Paul is always interesting.

Kleanbore said:

What has led you to believe that your level of concern before the fact would in any way influence the effectiveness that would be needed in a defensive weapon?

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I'm not addressing "effectiveness", I guess. I'm making a reasoned judgement on probability of needing it.

If I KNOW you're going to kick my front door in and try to kill me with a chainsaw, I want to shoot you with a 12 gauge or .308.
If I'm going to the library at 1 pm in a pleasant neighborhood, that isn't high on my list of possible occurrences. Therefore, I don't prepare by bringing those long guns with me.
If I am getting gas after around 9pm, my radar is probably a bit higher, and I might have a standard centerfire handgun usually. If we change that to after 2am, or in certain neighborhoods, that gets upgraded from "might" to "will".

We all have to assess and implement whatever level of defense we feel we may need, and it does change (at least for me). I don't jog with an AR, I don't go to the beach with a shotgun. I don't respond to strange noises in my garage at 1 am with a .22.

Make sense?

Edit to add- we all assess everything we can, and adjust. A couple years ago, in an area within 20-30 miles of my home, there was a string of disturbing shootings. Rural, pleasant area. About 4-5 guys got killed, in very alarming manner, and with a strange set of circumstances. Older middle age (45-60) white guys, in broad daylight, minding their own business during the day. One was shot trimming his hedges on a Sunday afternoon. One was actively involved in scouting and church stuff, all were middle class and basically decent, respectable citizens. It happened over a period of maybe 2 wks.

Ok, I fit that broad profile and had helped out with scouts when my son was involved. The area it occurred was where the scouts camped in the summer from our area.
So absolutely, I was way more self-aware at that time. I didn't go out that way, and I was more conscious of traffic while I was working in the yard.

They found the shooter and tied things in, and it made sense afterwards.

Usually carry a 1911 or 357, but I'm old and riddled with all kinds of orthopedic problems. So on occasion I hurt so bad all I can handle is a 22 Bersa and I will put all 11 rounds in your face and laugh at your poor choice of victims.

We have a Ruger 22/45 Lite and a Beretta 76 that are both excellent for bug out pistols. The 22/45 is the main pistol my wife shoots, she has severe rheumatoid arthritis in both hands and can't rack the slide on any centerfire pistols. I put a Tactical Solutions Slide Racker on the Ruger and it's no problem for her. 10 rounds of Minimag 32 gr. is better than nothing.

My anticipated defensive use of a handgun is an unavoidable contact with a bear or rabid animal while on the mouintain.

My good .22 (Ruger Mk II) is better than nothing. Ruger Security Six or CZ52 loaded alternating FMJ and JHP is more comforting.

Carl N. Brown said:

My anticipated defensive use of a handgun is an unavoidable contact with a bear or rabid animal while on the mouintain.

My good .22 (Ruger Mk II) is better than nothing. Ruger Security Six or CZ52 loaded alternating FMJ and JHP is more comforting.

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I had to go under the house recently, checking the understructure in the crawlspace. I'm in south La, we have critters around. I've seen possums and raccoons in my yard before. I've seen snakes, too. I took my Beretta 21A in 1 hand and a big LED Maglight in the other. Have to say, the Beretta was just the right size, and if I'd have needed it, it would have been better than dealing with a 1911 in that enclosed space.

Guns defend you from more than just humans.

lsudave said:

I'm not addressing "effectiveness", I guess. I'm making a reasoned judgement on probability of needing it.

If I'm going to the library at 1 pm in a pleasant neighborhood, that isn't high on my list of possible occurrences. Therefore, I don't prepare by bringing those long guns with me.
If I am getting gas after around 9pm, my radar is probably a bit higher, and I might have a standard centerfire handgun usually. If we change that to after 2am, or in certain neighborhoods, that gets upgraded from "might" to "will".
.

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Of the concealable pistols owned what would be preferred in hand if you had to defend yourself. Strive to carry that one.
That ^ simple philosophy does not factor statistics, location, time of day, anticipated threat.
Example: regardless of location, time of day, ect... a Glock 19 is always preferred over a 22lr pocket gun. Carry accordingly.

As I have often said, most disasters happen because people PLAN to have disasters. If the zombie horde is coming after you, and all you have is a .22 pistol, it's because you PLANNED to have a .22 pistol. You could just as easily planned to have a 9mm or .45.