22 revolver question?

[ultradoc]

A friend of mine is going to look into a 22 revolver. Not sure what kind [make-model] or 22 mag.,22short,22 L.R. I said I would try to help out. It will be for conceal carry and she is an older lady. She has limited shooting expierance but has shot a 38 several times. So my question is what is a decient make-model 22 and which 22 works in which. For example will a 22 L.R. fit a 22 mag. or 22 short? What works with what? Thanks. By the way she wants a double action.

 

[krs]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=416673

 

[mgkdrgn]

If its going to be for carry, stick to 22 magnum ... MUCH more punch than 22lr. And no, you won't be able to load any other 22 ammo (22lr or shots) into it.

You can however get some 22mag revolvers with an interchangeable cylinder so that you can shoot 22lr for practice, and switch back to 22mag for carry.

Taurus makes a very nice 22 mag revolver that would be suitable for carry.

 

[GEM]

Some of the DA 22 revolvers have very stiff trigger pulls. She should check it out before buying. One might be better with a steel frame 38 snubbie and a very light load to help with recoil.

Stopping power is a bugaboo. If she manages to get the gun out and put any kind of 38 into someone, chances are she carries the day. Unless, it is a zombie biker high on meth and wearing body armor.

 

[22-rimfire]

The choice depends on how she will carry the 22. I have no problem with the air weight Smith 22WMR for self defense. In 22LR, the choice is primarily between the old Model 34 which is a steel framed snubbie and the current air weight Model 317 snubbie. I'd go with the shortest barrel version vs the 3" unless it is going to be in a purse or bag all the time. I don't recommend any of the Taurus line, but some have good luck with them.

 

[sheephearder]

Wife carried a 317 for several years but sold when she quit carrying. Have not had good luck with Taurus myself. There are some old S&W , Colt and the ruger 101 22s on the used market but the 317 is the only new one that I would recommend and it has a very heavy trigger.--Bill

 

[Bezoar]

any chance you can help her look at something in a center fire cartridge? The 22 magnum is bare bones minimum, but even then your still running the risk of failure to fire because a rimfire just isnt always going to go off. Sure the 22 mag has a lot better quality priming in general, but nothing is as good as that small pistol primer.