.22 Rimfire magnum for backup

[HiWayMan]

While reading "No Second Place Winner" by Bill Jordan I noticed he makes reference to a snub in .22 rimfire magnum as having the potential of being a good backup piece. I too can see the potential of having 8 rounds of of high velocity ammo available in an airweigth package. Does anyone currently carry one of these for backup?

I'm not thinking of one of the NAA mini-revolvers, but rather a full size snub.

I also think it would be good for my girlfriend because she dislikes the recoil of my snubs, even with light .38s. This way she would have a mediocre defense gun, but more importantly, she would practice.

Comments???

 

[Otony]

He meant the old High Standard DA hammerless snub. I had one once (also a .22 magnum, though it could be had in .22LR as well) and thought it was terrific. Very flat, fairly light, and very easy to use.

Unfortunately, I was talked out of it by a neighbor and have really never found a suitable replacement, sigh.......

 

[Paladin7]

Smith just came out with the model 351, which is an airweight Ti 7 shot 22 mag snub with cocobolo Ahrends finger groove grips. Held it in my hand just today. It is $$$, $569 at my local dealer. I don't know whether or not there are plans for a Centenial version. Very pricey for what it is...

 

[p35]

Used to have a Taurus UL 9-shot snub; sounded good on paper but I couldn't stand the noise it made- worse than a .357 IMHO. Hurt even with good ear protection. Wouldn't want to have to use it without protection at all.

 

[Jim K]

Noise and blast aside, the .22 WMR is much under-rated as a defense gun. I have never carried one, but think it would be at least as good as, if not better than, the .38 Special. I would not feel at all helpless with a 6 or 7 shot revolver in that caliber.

Jim

 

[0007]

I have an 8-shot Taurus that I bought with that idea in mind. Alternate loads of HP and FMJ. Nice light revolver for when I don't feel like carrying my Star PD... For short range protection you can certainly do worse OR better.

 

[Citadel99]

Remember the old adage: A .22 in the pocket is better than a .45 at home!

Mark

 

[steveno]

at one time I had a S & W M-651 4 inch with adjustable sights to go along with my S & W M-63 4 inch. I had Winchester 22 mag 40 grain hollow points the average velocity was 1,190 fps. out of the M-63 winchester powerpoint 40 grain hollow points will average 985 fps and CCI Velocitors with the 40 grain hollow point will average 1066 fps. yes there is a big difference between the 22 mag and the 22 long rifle powerpoints but the 22 mags are NOISY to say the least. the 22 mag doesn't offer a big enough difference over the CCI ammo to justify the cost in a revolver. I happen to like the 22 mag because I have a Ruger 77/22 in 22 mag and it shoots extremely well. I probably should have kept the M-651 as not very many of them were ever made as well as I should have sent it to S & W to have a long rifle cylinder fitted to it. oh well. the CCI ammo shoots quite well also in everything I have shot it in

 

[Jim March]

The high-cap 22Mag snubbies make some sense, esp. for the recoil sensitive. They'd make a great "grannie gun" . They also make sense for a specific role: making noise and throwing at least SOMETHING the goblin's way while you beat feet .

The CCI MaxiMag +Vs and +V/TNTs will pull 1,200fps from a 2" tube, at least per NAA's data. That will hurt.

The only downsides: they're not as potent as 38s, and there's no speedloaders made for the 7 and 8 shot variants. There is for the 9-shot 22LRs and if somebody is making a 22Mag nine-shooter this is the first I've heard...but if so, it should be able to eat out of the 9-shot loaders so that'd be good.

 

[steveno]

I would only use the 40 grain ammo for defense or the Federal 50 grain load. you will want all of the penetration you can get and the lightweight bullets don't offer any

 

[sgt127]

There are very few backup guns that you can carry and conceal well that will also allow you to carry 50 rounds of extra ammo in your pocket. Imagine being in a protracted, pinned down gunfight. Your big gun runs out of ammo. You have 50 extra rounds of .22 mag with you. Every time the bad guys try to flank you or charge you, you can fire six more rounds their way. That could buy you alot of time until the cavalry can get to you. I have a couple of S&W 650's and I have carried them as back ups and never felt unarmed.

Supposedly (Never heard this confirmed) this hapened to a LAPD Officer during the Watts riots. He was seperated from his team and got pinned down inside an apartment. Every time the bad guys moved on him, he cranked off a few rounds. In the story I heard, it was a J frame .22LR with a box or two of extra ammo. Nobody wants to get shot, even with a .22. They may give up when they realize you ain't running out of ammo.

 

[Jim March]

Now THAT is...hmmmm...damned interesting, isn't it?

As to penetration: the raw energy numbers on those CCI 30grainers are WAY past basically anything else, esp. the 40s/50s.

So if you want penetration: fill the JHP cavity with JB-Weld . Stir it in there with a toothpick to eliminate bubbles. Won't add more than a grain tops, if that.

Mini-AP rounds .

 

[Jim K]

Hi, Jim,

I said I never carried a .22 Magnum revolver, not that I had no experience with them. You wrote, "They also make sense for a specific role: making noise and throwing at least SOMETHING the goblin's way while you beat feet."

I guarantee that a couple of those little bullets in the head or into the heart of an attacker will do more than just "throwing something" so you can get away.

Another Jim

 

[legatobluesummers]

I personally think that the .22 magnum is a fine round overall. There are some good firearms (rifles, revolvers, derringers.) Over where i live, the cost of 22 mag ammo is pretty good as well. It has much less recoil, and in my opinion, makes a good self defense round for the recoil shy (myself included )

you could do a lot worse!

i would reccoment 3 excellent revolvers

taurus 941 (i like the all steel myself, but it comes in ultra lite in a couple of finishes)

charter arms "pathfinder" a nice carry piece with a sweet trigger.

and the smith and wesson model 648 (LARGE and heavy gun...great for home defense tho)

hope i could have been any help

 

[HiWayMan]

Thanks for the advice and comments fellas. I'm glad that the two Jims chimed in. I've come to respect both your opinions throughout my time here. My buddy who lurks here has a saying. "If it is good enough for Jim March or 1911tuner then it is good enough for me." Can't say I disagree with that statement.