A .22 handgun for home self defense?

[gunny2]

I suspect most would scoff at this...but is it necessarily such a terrible idea? My thinking is if I hit an intruder with a .22, no it won't do as much damage, but I'm thinking it's more about making contact at all vs how much. Getting shot with even a .22 won't exactly tickle. Most intruders are trying to rob you for whatever and even the "lesser" damage caused by a .22 is probably more than it's worth. This isn't a Clint Eastwood movie. Also in most situations, it's not like I'll have the luxury of assuming the "proper stance" (etc) to fire the gun, I might even need to fire it with one hand. Given that, the far lesser kickback of a .22 has its appeal. Is that crazy talk? Or a viable consideration?

 

[jmr40]

I'm of the opinion that a 22 is a better option than many give it credit for. In fact a Ruger 10/22 rifle with a 25 round magazine is one of the " tools" in my home defense toolbox. And under the right conditions isn't a bad choice. It will deter someone who is less determined, and it will EVENTUALLY stop a determined intruder with proper shot placement and with enough hits.

BUT... if someone is going to break into an occupied home, I'd say they are pretty desperate, determined or high on drugs. I'd want something that will end the threat quickly.

But if a 22 is what I had, or if it were all the recoil I could handle I'd certainly use it.

Sometimes we get caught up in debates about which caliber or which bullet is the most effective when most any of them will get the job done most of the time.

 

[Robert]

It's better than nothing, but there are much better options.

 

[StrawHat]

Ronald Reagan and Jim Brady had opposite reactions to being shot with a 22.

Perhaps one of the multi shot 22 Magnum pistols if you can get one.

Kevin

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Beats feet, fists and foul language but there are better choices available. Jeff Cooper said if armed with a 22 aim for the eye sockets, I read of one case where a home invader was stopped with a 22 in the throat. But I doubt if in moments of stress most of us can be such crackshots and have nerves of steel. Yes, in this day and age home invaders will probably have ingested drugs. Then there's the problem of thick clothing in cold weather.

 

[sparkyv]

I too, consider 22LR a viable SD/HD cartridge, but its major weakness is reliability of ignition. If I were to utilize 22LR for this purpose, I would utilize ammo from reputable manufacturers and select the highest velocities that properly and reliably function in my firearms.

 

[CDW4ME]

The clichés rationalizing marginal calibers have already been posted.
Exacting shot placement, already posted.

If a 22 is all ya got, use what ya got.

If you have or can get better options, like 9mm, going with a potentially more effective (read quicker at potentially quickly incapacitating) seems desirable.

Unlike OP I do carry at home, despite living in a "good area" where I perceive the odds of home break in to be very low.
The gun I carry at home is the same as I'd carry going to the store, errands, ect... and that is a Glock 19 minimum.
I don't compromise factors I have under my thumb like, caliber & capacity; I expect good shot placement but that is one factor that can't be a given.
Often people posting about anticipating exacting shot placement under stress have compromised the the factors under their control (caliber & capacity); they know they compromised factors under their control and ironically (sadly actually) refer to the one that is not, exact shot placement.

If someone is out of their mind enough to break into your home armed and you are in the position of defending your life against deadly force and at that moment you perceive you would prefer a a 22 in your hand versus other options, have at it; doesn't affect me.
A 22 is not my choice at home or elsewhere.

 

[jar]

The 22lr has the advantage of greater control under stress for the average gun owner and so a greater likelihood of rounds on target so I would consider it a reasonable option.

BUT the new herd of low recoil compact sized 380s offer greater reliability in a more effective caliber with the same low recoil impulse and thus great control.

 

[FL-NC]

I suspect most would scoff at this...but is it necessarily such a terrible idea? My thinking is if I hit an intruder with a .22, no it won't do as much damage, but I'm thinking it's more about making contact at all vs how much. Getting shot with even a .22 won't exactly tickle. Most intruders are trying to rob you for whatever and even the "lesser" damage caused by a .22 is probably more than it's worth. This isn't a Clint Eastwood movie. Also in most situations, it's not like I'll have the luxury of assuming the "proper stance" (etc) to fire the gun, I might even need to fire it with one hand. Given that, the far lesser kickback of a .22 has its appeal. Is that crazy talk? Or a viable consideration?

I think it is a terrible idea. A wound from a 22 is very survivable, and often with minimum damage- at least, damage of the type that would give the 22 user the instant gratification that would end the fight. Even in fisticuffs, hard, well-placed punches end a fight- open handed slaps, not so much. You are making many assumptions about what may be in the plan/mind/agenda of "most" intruders. Many of them aren't in a healthy state of mind for various reasons- and may not even care if they live to see another sunrise. You can't know this. So instead of running, giving up, or something like that after being hit with the 22, they may be reacting with extreme violence- such as by returning fire with their own gun, which may in fact be considerably more powerful than your 22. Valid points about firing under pressure, which may not happen with the ideal stance, grip, sight picture, etc,- its very likely that shooting under these conditions will not produce ideal hits. Therefore, compensating with more power than a 22 in getting these marginal hits may be what wins that fight. I have never shot a human with a 22, but I have shot many animals like squirrels, possums, etc. using a 22, and even though I was eventually successful in putting down these critters, the eventual outcome would have likely been different if animals like squirrels, possums, etc. were more aggressive, or capable of holding a weapon and using it effectively. If a 22 is all that is available, or for some reason the user isn't capable of using a more substantial caliber, I guess the 22 is better than nothing.

 

[Mick Boon]

I would feel well armed with a 22 at home defense ranges. 22 long rifle can do a lot of damage to a person without doing too much damage to your house if you miss first shot.

 

[chicharrones]

I suspect most would scoff at this...but is it necessarily such a terrible idea? My thinking is if I hit an intruder with a .22, no it won't do as much damage, but I'm thinking it's more about making contact at all vs how much. Getting shot with even a .22 won't exactly tickle. Most intruders are trying to rob you for whatever and even the "lesser" damage caused by a .22 is probably more than it's worth. This isn't a Clint Eastwood movie. Also in most situations, it's not like I'll have the luxury of assuming the "proper stance" (etc) to fire the gun, I might even need to fire it with one hand. Given that, the far lesser kickback of a .22 has its appeal. Is that crazy talk? Or a viable consideration?

It’s good you’re posting this. Hopefully the responses to your thread will have you consider better alternatives.

I can tell you that I don’t even want the women of my family defending themselves with a .22LR against humans that lean to the animalistic side of aggression.

 

[Jim Watson]

My "comfort zone" is 9mm or .38 Special.
My physical comfort comes from using full size guns except where concealment is necessary.

Also in most situations, it's not like I'll have the luxury of assuming the "proper stance" (etc) to fire the gun, I might even need to fire it with one hand.

My IDPA and USPSA experience have led me to shoot a serious service weapon from various positions with both or either hand.

I think what is lacking for most people is practice. I have seen graduates of the Acme Gunslinging School perform poorly because they didn't follow their lessons with regular shooting. I think my next door neighbor has been to the range once per firearm purchased. And then only because I took him.

 

[SDGlock23]

There are defensive .22 LR loads out there and because of low recoil and low report, I can see where some might want to carry a .22. I wouldn't choose to carry one, but it's better than nothing. The biggest issue with .22 isn't so much the (lack of) power, it's lack of reliability that concerns me the most.

On the other hand, I do think something like a 10/22 w/suppressor would be a very good SHTF choice, it's light and quiet and a .22 to the noggin will put anyone down.

 

[Jim Watson]

Right, while my Plastic M&P .22 Compact has been 100% on MiniMags and has "broken in" to function well with most others, there is always rimfire ignition to get through. I figure I was lucky in that case of MiniMag.

A guy in my club, also member of the Gun Of The Month Club apparently ran out of selections with nothing new to shoot and carry but .22s. He eventually found a new model 9mm and got back to centerfires.

 

[WYO]

I don’t think it is a good idea to presume that burglars only want to rob you and that hitting them with a .22 round and doing “lesser damage” will make them run away. You are hoping for what is referred to as a psychological stop, and a LOT of bad guys are hardened people who didn’t major in psychology, or they are substance abusers who don’t react to pain the same way ordinary people do. In addition, when you are in your house there are barriers throughout, including walls, furniture and appliances that can get in the way of a clean shot. If you limit your ability to shoot through that stuff by choosing an anemic caliber, you may be dealing with a greatly reduced target area or a target area consisting of body parts where only superficial damage may occur.

If all one has or all one can handle is a .22, then train, train, train and learn what it can do. But there are many better options.

I would feel well armed with a 22 at home defense ranges. 22 long rifle can do a lot of damage to a person without doing too much damage to your house if you miss first shot.

You're worried about damage to your house when dealing with someone who just broke in? That isn't on my list of concerns.

 

[JoeHenry]

I guess if a 22 is all you have, it beats throwing a rock.

 

[kwb377]

While .22 is certainly lethal, it lacks incapacitation. Early in my career, I watched a guy take six .45ACP Black Talons to the chest, then drive off and we had to pursue him another 10 minutes before he became incapacitated enough to stop the car. Later in my career, I put four rounds of .40S&W 180gr. HST's into the chest of a meth/heroin fueled felon that didn't seem to faze him until a head shot stopped him.

Now, imagine one of those people breaking into your home or accosting you in public somewhere. Due to mind-altering substances, they're generally not going to be inclined to think, "Darn, I've been shot...I'll stop my aggression and wait for the authorities to arrive." A .22 may indeed kill or incapacitate them, but in the intervening one, two (or more) minutes it takes for their body to react and shut down, how much hurt will they be able to inflict on you?

I have several .22's, and if it was what I had in my hand when things went south, I'd certainly dump a dozen or two rounds into someone, but it's not going to be what I reach for if I have a choice.

 

[JDeere]

I guess if it's all you got it's better than a sharp stick...I got plenty of 22s but they are reserved for small varmints and paper. A .22 will work with a well placed shot but in the heat of the moment one may no be able to make that shot. To each his own and ymmv...

 

[Mick Boon]

I don’t think it is a good idea to presume that burglars only want to rob you and that hitting them with a .22 round and doing “lesser damage” will make them run away. You are hoping for what is referred to as a psychological stop, and a LOT of bad guys are hardened people who didn’t major in psychology, or they are substance abusers who don’t react to pain the same way ordinary people do. In addition, when you are in your house there are barriers throughout, including walls, furniture and appliances that can get in the way of a clean shot. If you limit your ability to shoot through that stuff by choosing an anemic caliber, you may be dealing with a greatly reduced target area or a target area consisting of body parts where only superficial damage may occur.

If all one has or all one can handle is a .22, then train, train, train and learn what it can do. But there are many better options.


You're worried about damage to your house when dealing with someone who just broke in? That isn't on my list of concerns.

I like my house, the last thing I want is to shoot it to pieces. In any case I have a much better first line defensive weapon called Alice.

 

[WYO]

I like my house, the last thing I want is to shoot it to pieces. In any case I have a much better first line defensive weapon called Alice.

In that case, you may want to use a BB gun because it will lessen the chance of having a bloody mess on the floor. Of course, Alice may cause that as well.

 

[Buzznrose]

I agree that it’s not optimal but I also agree it is way better than a sharp stick or a knife with quality ammo and practice. Where it lacks in effectiveness (penetration, level of damage, etc.), it makes up with in reduced muzzle flip, ability to shoot faster, and economical to train with.

Especially a good semiautomatic long gun like a 10/22 and better ammo (my mags are filed with CCI mini mags), I can put a half dozen rounds in a head size target in short order…and I can train pretty much anyone capable of shooting the rifle properly to do the same.

I am grabbing an AR over a 10/22, but if I only had the 10/22, I’d grab that.

 

[jmorris]

I suspect most would scoff at this...but is it necessarily such a terrible idea?

If you have something better to save your life with, it is actually a pretty terrible idea.

Would be on par with the idea of a solar powered defibrillator. Might work great or might not work at all. Why risk it, it’s your life.

 

[Milt1]

jmr40 mentioned a Ruger 10/22 with a 25 round mag and I second this if all you're interested in is the .22 caliber for home defense. An excellent choice!

 

[Fraugurt]

It’s probably do-able but it wouldn’t hurt to also have a nice shotgun or .22 rifle there to back it up.

 

[Kleanbore]

Jeff Cooper said if armed with a 22 aim for the eye sockets

That would be completerly impractical in most SD situations.

Fast-moving target, no time to aim....