.17 HMR Mouse Gun

[kenpocop]

In the realm of mouse guns, how does the .17 HMR rate?

 

[Deer Hunter]

Low. Very very low.

 

[Preacherman]

To be used only on puny, weak, very small mice.

A rat, of course, requires a .44 Magnum loaded with Garrett Hammerheads.

 

[carterbeauford]

Good on small varmint. Not so good on humans.

.22WMR is the minimum I would consdering carrying in a mousegun, and only as a back up gun at that.

 

[Ralph Bryant]

Even out of the diminutive NAA revolver, the .17HMR still has something in the range of twice the velocity of the .22LR and will be fatal on a head shot no doubt. I don't think any of the neysayers would volunteer to be shot by one because of it's "ineffectiveness"........ Just imagine the "ineffectiveness" of an ice pick 12 inches deep anywhere you choose to stick it.

Don't get me wrong.......the .17 would never be my first choice in CCW for self defense or on the job as a primary carry gun, but it would sure beat the hell out of nothing if it came right down to either having "something" vs. "nothing".

 

[GunNut]

Very poor choice for self defense/CCW.

Sure there is plenty of velocity, but will a 17gr bullet reliably penetrate a human skull?

I kind of doubt that it would be any more effective than a .22lr or .22magnum. IMHO it would probably be less effective.

Steve

 

[Old Fuff]

Taurus made some revolvers; running from snubbies to 12" barreled silhouette guns in .17 HMR, and ended up dumping a lot of them at CDNN. I think it's a good cartridge with some potential, but not as a self-defense round. Velocity is there, at least in longer barrels, but not bullet weight.

However if someone thinks differently, CDNN has some flaming deals.

 

[Gordon]

I recently hung my Ruger Single Six Hunter .17HRM with it's 2x Weaver LER in it's Uncle Mikes Bandolier Holster on a peg in my bedroom. It has become my favorite ranch gun. It does not seem to PO the neighbors with a few shots, and it destroys anything under 60 pounds to about 75 yards with aplomb! Whats not to like? I'm sure it would defend me from somebody if necessary, as it would explode their head close up!
However I'll continue to CCW a 1911 .45acp , thank you (or at least a .38 something) for self defense!

 

[Ralph Bryant]

Here's something kind of interesting, testing done with rifles of course, but look at the penetration difference based on the different types of bullets, Hornady ceramic center vs. CCI JHP in 2 pound lead balls. Surface splash vs. a gaping cavity.

 

[bakert]

No experience except reading about the .17. Good varmint gun but on a human or an enraged charging mouse you might want a little more bullet weight.

 

[PointOneSeven]

I'd carry one before I'd carry a .25 auto, but that's about it.

 

[GaryP]

It depends on the function you want it to perform! Assuming we are talking personal protection it belongs at the bottom of the list, but as others have stated it would be better than no gun. A headshot would most likely be fatal since the .17HMR would indeed penetrate the skull at the speed it travels, even out of a 2" barrel. However, I would not recommend it for CCW, Home Protection, etc.

 

[kenpocop]

As stated above I have seen the Taurus snubbies listed in their "backup" line. Just wondered if I had missed something as far as how the round was performing. The question was mostly an attempt to compare the .17HMR to the mini calibers, like .22, .25 .32, etc. No doubt that a .50 AE would be a better choice to finish off the local gangbangers, but its hard to hide one in the pouch of your whitie tighties...

 

[Lonestar]

Velocity of the .17 is based on a rifle not a 2" pistol.

 

[VA27]

Well, it beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. Just think of it as a really long sharp stick, and use it accordingly.

 

[GEM]

Didn't NAA have problems with their mouse guns due to the bottleneck round - like the SW 53's?

There are better mouse guns, IMHO. We need a mouse gun smilie.

 

[antediluvianist]

Excellent anti-roach round.

 

[jonsidneyb]

Mice seem to be easier to hit with a 6 inch barrel. Go figure.

 

[Snowdog]

Well hey, you won't find me volunteering to stand in front of a pellet pistol either, but that doesn't mean I'd figure it make for a decent defensive tool either. Never really understood that argument, perhaps its points allude me.

 

[unspellable]

Standing in front argument

It means a loaded 17 HMR trumps an empty 45.

 

[Snowdog]

And thus a scalpel trumps and empty .17HMR.

It's just not a powerful enough angle of argument for me to ever consider using. To each his own, I suppose.

And for the record, I'd choose a loaded .45acp over an emply .17HMR anyday!