.22 WMR ? No place in SD?

Brubz

Brubz

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Is the .22 Magnum round useless for Self Defense? Is it only good for shooting targets at the range and making a lot of noise?
I know some of the guys here use it to shoot
varmint but no place in personal protection?
 
There is a revolver world trainer niche that like the 22 Mag snubbies for pocket carry. Let's now start the jello mold picture discussion. A big revolver - not so much, unless that's all you got. If it's a big revolver, the center fires rule.
 
chicharrones said:
I think it is a reasonable choice in a magazine fed autoloading pistol for those that need to shoot a very low recoiling cartridge.

The KelTec PMR30 and Walther WMP come to mind. And their barrel lengths can help wake up the cartridge a bit compared to shorter barreled guns.
Click to expand...

I love my KelTec 22 magnum. It won't win beauty contests, but it is hard to beat a 30 round magazine for volume of fire potential. It is my go-to for raccoon and fox "chicken denial" patrols :cool:

As for self defense against people? I don't want to rely on 30 rounds to be effective. I think the 22 is too prone to roll around bones and leave small wound channels. It goes into my "better than a rock" category.
 
Brubz said:
Is the .22 Magnum round useless for Self Defense? Is it only good for shooting targets at the range and making a lot of noise?
I know some of the guys here use it to shoot
varmint but no place in personal protection?
Click to expand...
I hate the word useless! The 22 mag would not be my 1st choice. As far as cartridge choice in a revolver it would be close to the bottom with so many other choices available. If all I had was a 22mag I would use it. If I only had a 22 short I would probably pick a sharp stick.

Waiting for the hate........
 
22 Magnum is perfect for someone with wrist or hand problems. When I get old and weak (probably next year the way I’m going), I’m already eyeing a LCR 8 shot 22LR. I’d actually rather have 8 shots of 22LR than 6 shots of 22 magnum. Especially out of a snub. But I would carry either.
 
.22 mag will put a hole in someone. Putting holes in people is how we have a chance of stopping them. So obviously it can be of use. Where or if it outshines any other caliber for SD is the real question.

From most perspectives I think it under performs compared to just about any centerfire cartridge. If you are going low recoil I think you are better served with .32 s&w long or .32 H&R magnum.

The one area I do think that the .22 mag does really shine in is ultra light revolvers. Ultra lights seem to be miss matched to caliber most of the time. The one exception that I know of to this is the S&W 351 PD. Here is where I think the low recoil, and potential for greater than 6 capacity of the .22 mag really shines.
 
I've always liked the .22 mag. Started when I lived on a farm in North Dakota with a Marlin 25M. I've collected a few over the years (handguns and rifles). I bought a Keltec PMR30 for a plinker because of the caliber and it was a smoking deal. I was really surprised about some things related to it.

1. The trigger crispness is absolutely sterling in this price range in my estimation.

2. I'm able to shoot it very accurately, even with fast follow-up shots I'm able to stay on torso sized targets easily at extended range.

3. At approximately 14 ounces you just don't even realize it's on your hip.

4. The 30-round capacity is worthy of Henry's original slogan....Load it on Sunday and shoot it all week long.

5. Its been rock solid reliable for me so far...this was probably the most surprising aspect of the gun as I've read about reliability being a concern for a statistically notable number of purchasers. I should note that much of this is due to the finicky nature of the magazines and how they need to be loaded.

I'm currently carrying an SP101 in .327FM which I'm exceedingly happy with. I'm able to shoot it well but do notice the weight on occasion. I picked up a leather DeSantis holster for the PMR30 and it carries high and tight. The gun is slim. Rear sight is nonadjustable for windage or elevation but able to accept an accessory red dot sight mount.

As soon as I have some open time I'm taking it to the range for more evaluation on reliability and accuracy to see if I think I need a red dot and then make a decision if it goes into the EDC slot. I do have a leather mag holder that would be pressed into use for a total of 60 rounds on the hip if I decide to go that route.
 
Frulk said:
I've always liked the .22 mag. Started when I lived on a farm in North Dakota with a Marlin 25M. I've collected a few over the years (handguns and rifles). I bought a Keltec PMR30 for a plinker because of the caliber and it was a smoking deal. I was really surprised about some things related to it.
...
I'm currently carrying an SP101 in .327FM which I'm exceedingly happy with. I'm able to shoot it well but do notice the weight on occasion. I picked up a leather DeSantis holster for the PMR30 and it carries high and tight. The gun is slim. Rear sight is nonadjustable for windage or elevation but able to accept an accessory red dot sight mount.

As soon as I have some open time I'm taking it to the range for more evaluation on reliability and accuracy to see if I think I need a red dot and then make a decision if it goes into the EDC slot. I do have a leather mag holder that would be pressed into use for a total of 60 rounds on the hip if I decide to go that route.
Click to expand...

I've heard that adding a red dot that weighs over 1 oz will mess up the reliability. It slows down the slide or somewhich thing.
As for EDC, I doubt there is anything with that level of firepower in such a comfortable package. Mine has been decently reliable, but, as long as my hands can handle the recoil, I'll be carrying something in a larger diameter.
 
Frulk said:
I've always liked the .22 mag. Started when I lived on a farm in North Dakota with a Marlin 25M. I've collected a few over the years (handguns and rifles). I bought a Keltec PMR30 for a plinker because of the caliber and it was a smoking deal. I was really surprised about some things related to it.

1. The trigger crispness is absolutely sterling in this price range in my estimation.

2. I'm able to shoot it very accurately, even with fast follow-up shots I'm able to stay on torso sized targets easily at extended range.

3. At approximately 14 ounces you just don't even realize it's on your hip.

4. The 30-round capacity is worthy of Henry's original slogan....Load it on Sunday and shoot it all week long.

5. Its been rock solid reliable for me so far...this was probably the most surprising aspect of the gun as I've read about reliability being a concern for a statistically notable number of purchasers. I should note that much of this is due to the finicky nature of the magazines and how they need to be loaded.

I'm currently carrying an SP101 in .327FM which I'm exceedingly happy with. I'm able to shoot it well but do notice the weight on occasion. I picked up a leather DeSantis holster for the PMR30 and it carries high and tight. The gun is slim. Rear sight is nonadjustable for windage or elevation but able to accept an accessory red dot sight mount.

As soon as I have some open time I'm taking it to the range for more evaluation on reliability and accuracy to see if I think I need a red dot and then make a decision if it goes into the EDC slot. I do have a leather mag holder that would be pressed into use for a total of 60 rounds on the hip if I decide to go that route.
Click to expand...
Sounds like a AMT AUTOMAG is what you really need :rofl: :neener: ...sorry, couldn't help myself...
 
GEM said:
There is a revolver world trainer niche that like the 22 Mag snubbies for pocket carry. Let's now start the jello mold picture discussion. A big revolver - not so much, unless that's all you got. If it's a big revolver, the center fires rule.
Click to expand...

IIRC Bill Jordan was an advocate of the 22 mag snub.
 
I have a NAA Wasp .22 Mag. Surprising accuracy.
I can group within two inches of the bullseye at 30 ft. At 30 ft with my S&W M&P Bodyguard? not even close
 
I think it is considered somethign of a backup gun cartridge. I carry .22 Mag in an NAA mini revolver when I go hiking becuase I'll actually take it with me. It isn't useless, but another way I heard it discussed is it is like being sort of armed.
 
Targa said:
I would still like some range time with a .22magnum. 35 years of shooting and I have never shot one….its just sad…very sad..:(
Click to expand...

Swing by my place and I’ll let you try mine. That KelTec is fun, and you get tired of shooting before you empty the magazine!
 
Depending on one’s capability, a hit with a 22 WMR trumps a miss with anything else.

For a long time, the only 22WMR guns in my safe were a Ruger 22 rimfire convertible and a S&W j- frame, Model 51 if I remember correctly. The latter was my FIL’s gun.

Recently, I’ve been looking at 22 WMR vs a light 327 Fed Mag load for critter control around my hobby horse farm.
No conclusive results yet but I see there us a use for 22WMR.

I have. 327 Fed Mag SP101 and 22WMR Model 48 for my trials.
 
When it comes to self defense, any caliber can be lethal, it is all about how one trains and the confidence one possesses in their training and marksmanship. I have seen many shooters at the range miss their targets completely simply because they were over gunned. What use is having a .357, or 44 magnum or a 454 casull or a 500 smith and Wesson if you can not hit what you are aiming at because of recoil and lack of training and practice due to recoil or cost of ammo.

I am beginning to get the early signs of arthritis in my hands and soon I may not be able to carry my 686 simply because the recoil can be very painful. When the time comes I will drop to a .45 cal, then a 9mm than a .380 and finally my Keltec PMR. The point here is that confidence and training is what is needed and if you are confident any caliber will suffice because you are able to hit what you are aiming at, furthermore not every self defense scenario requires a lethal response.

But to answer the question from the OP a 22 magnum is just as great as any caliber, and it is definitely no slouch.
 
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