22 magnum for self defense.

Doesn't do it for me.

Not my first choice. However, your only current choice, you're not going to buy something else, and you're competent and confident ... carry on and stay proficient

-jb, not getting into "better than nothing" discussion

I was told many years ago when getting a Gun for self defense to make sure I get something that will take someone out. If You have to use the Gun in self defense You shoot to kill. Because the Person that You have to pull on will come back after You after You send them to the hospital with just a wound.

You don't need my approval. It beats the heck out of a baseball bat.

I dont remember off the top of my head any 22 magnum shootings that Ive investigated. But I will say it's little brother the 22lr is very inconsistent. Mostly because some bullets seem to hold together while others break apart easily. The ones that hold together actually penetrate pretty well much of the time and can be very deadly. I do believe that the 22 Mag uses sturdier bullets than run of the mill 22lr so it should behave more like the deep penetrators in my thinking. So overall it's not a great choice, but it should work with the right bullet.

It’s be even worse than .32 ACP.

I like .380 on up.

It wouldn't be my first choice but I would rather have it than be unarmed.

Better than a sharp stick

Just picked up a Smith 351c in a trade. Light, great sights, and 7 shot capacity. I also load it with Speer Gold Dots. Seems like a great CCW.

I bet after I shoot badguy 9 times with .22wmr I can run faster than he can.
Another thing about the caliber is that it makes a nice loud intimidating bang.

Better than nothing, but it also wouldn’t be my preference.

Today, I reviewed a capital warrant served on a fellow who killed another decisively. 6 shots of 22lr to the face and three to the body. The deceased victim likely did not notice the offender was not shooting a 45.

I occasionally carry a Smith 43c 22lr on my belt and an Elsie Pea 22 in my pocket. And when I do, I do not feel particularly vulnerable.

I also practice with them several times a week at ranges from “bad breath” distance to 25 yards.

Become proficient with your handgun, and use what you have available.

BOARHUNTER

I carry a 22lr with 60gr SSS aguila every other chamber/Stingers the others... weight 10oz and 8 shots. Yet only in rare occasions when a tiny firearm is needed. It’s Better that dirty looks and harsh words, I guess. The mag ain’t much better. I suggest you Save $ for double the caliber,That would be special

A fair number of professionals carry a 351PD as a BUG or a go to the mail box, mow the lawn gun. Not my preference but it's done by some folks with experience. Just accept its limitations as with all J frames.

357smallbore said:

Let's not get into banzi charges from a gang, or the meth head that needs a howitzer to stop.

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Meth heads are easy. Amphetamines' make the bones brittle and destroy muscle tissue. That's why they got no teeth and are rail thin.

GeoDudeFlorida said:

Meth heads are easy. Amphetamines' make the bones brittle and destroy muscle tissue. That's why they got no teeth and are rail thin.

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Ummmmmmmm, that is the exact opposite of my experience. Ive seen dudes jacked up on meth do some crazy stuff and act like they felt no pain.

Been on my mind more and more these past several years. My feeling, it penetrates. Wound channel is of course small but it’s getting through clothing that other small caliber centerfires probably won’t (say .380 ACP and below). Recoil is nil for faster follow up shots that are still on target.

I guess all of that scores high in my book combined with the idea that my wife could also grab it and use it without intimidation. I’d certainly prefer the Keltec PMR30 with many many more rounds on tap but overall I’d say .22 WMR checks more boxes than not with my criteria. I will wholeheartedly agree there are better choices for most SD scenarios but I wouldn’t think I’d be panicked if it were my option.

40 gr .22 WMR from a 4" barrel should deliver 1100+ fps velocity and penetration in gel of 12" or so.

I consider a .22 WMR revolver 6.5" barrel to be very comforting walking my son's property or my cousins' property on the mountain.

If that's what you have, that's what you have.
I'm not familiar with the Speer GD .22 Mag ammo. Is it marketed as SD ammo the way their other stuff is? I'd be curious to see how it performs and whether it'll expand appreciably. The .22 Mag hunting ammo would likely lose so much velocity out of the short barrel that it wouldn't perform as designed.

357smallbore said:

22 magnum for self defense

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I think it’s a perfectly effective means of self-defense at close range.

A bad guy full of holes running away is a successful self-defense encounter.

I know a few folks who carry it, mostly as a backup, but it has reasonable penetration so if you get reasonably good shots you should be able to disable an attacker. It has low recoil and therefore can shoot several rounds in a very short period.

357smallbore said:

Have one gun. A 9 shot 4in High Standard MKIV Sentinel. I have it loaded with Speed Gold Dots for defense
Target I shoot MaxiMags from CCI. Have fired over 400 rounds of all different types of ammo. It has always gone bang. At 20 yards in, it's a real tack driver.
I carry for my CCW and it's my house gun. Like I said , I only have one gun.
Thoughts about a 22 mag for defense. My take is 9 rounds of 22 mag will stop the threat of needed.
Let's not get into banzi charges from a gang, or the meth head that needs a howitzer to stop.

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Here's some gel test data that includes 22WMR fired from a 4" pistol and a 2" revolver.

https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/pocket-pistol-caliber-gel-test-results/#22Mag

I would probably just use FMJ.

In a self defense situation the critical factor the relationship of speed and accuracy. Fast and inaccurate as well as accurate but slow can mean you are not going to prevail. Accuracy is the key to smaller calibers for self defense. A 22 WMR In the face is better than a 9mm in the arm. But if you are incapable of that level of accuracy coupled with speed in target then a 9mm is going to be better than a 22 WMR out of a handgun.

Here’s why. The 9mm is proven to be good for the job. The US Military, the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies use 9mm. More and more police department s are going from a variety of calibers to 9mm. There is confidence in the caliber. None of those entities even considered 22 WMR. There is empirical evidence that shows the effectiveness of 9mm for self defense. There is none for 22 WMR. So do you want proven effectiveness or speculation when it comes to SD ammo? The 22WMR had a higher FTF rate than 9mm. It is a fact that rimfire is less reliable than center fire. In other words when you pull the trigger and hear a click instead of a bang your speed and accuracy are affected. That can get you killed.

with all that written I think you are always better off with a gun you have than a gun you do not have. I am sticking with 9mm.

After writing the above I found an interesting comparison is 22 LR, 22WMR, 9Mm NATO, and 45 ACP. YouTube:

For a lot of years, my only handgun was a Single-Six convertible which I kept loaded with 22WMR as a bedside gun. Once I could afford it, I bought a hi-cap 9mm, but that little 22 Mag would have been a lot better than harsh language had it been needed.

I still have the Single-Six and bought a couple boxes of the Gold Dots for it, just in case it's needed for defense for some reason (I have to have defensive ammo for every gun I own). It's still not a great choice, but I shoot it well. Call it my "sock drawer gun".