A .22 handgun for home self defense?

[chicharrones]

Well... that's my FIL... minus the oxy tank. His lungs work a little too good, sometimes, if you know what I mean...

I did think about one of those tip-up barrel autos.

I've also considered just getting him a Kahr CW9... and just load it for him. It would be no different than a revolver setting there... he is not going to have the dexterity to do a reload in any event, and particularly in the middle of the night. 8rds of 9mm is way better than anything .22LR, .25, or, likely, .32. I'mma have to drag him out to the desert to see if he can shoot it.

Definitely rent the Kahr before buying. If a person can't cycle the slide of the gun, they may not have the grip strength and wrist strength to provide a firm enough shooting foundation for consistent full stroke slide cycling when firing. Especially important to consider with sub 20 ounce autoloaders.

 

[Charlie98]

I can tell you that my dad had an old S&W model 10

That's why I'm kicking myself in the butt. I HAD a beautiful 1962 taper barrel Model 10... and sold it off when I got out of the .38/.357 business. I'm convinced it would have worked well for him. As it is, there is one at the LGS, but given it's condition, has an absurd price tag on it... like almost any vintage S&W does these days.

Definitely rent the Kahr before buying.

I have 3 CW9's... I do wonder about his grip, and the recoil, however... that's why I want to take him shooting at Christmas to see what he really can or can't do... I can make my decision from there.

 

[kerreckt]

Kel-Tec P17. Over 2k rounds with NO problems at all! As long as the ammo is over 1200fps. Great pistol 16 +1 and often under $200. Best wishes

 

[Boattale]

I sleep with a 686 under my pillow. The Mark II is for armadillos.

 

[DesertFox]

With a 22LR target pistol with red dot - Model 41 comes to mind ala Unintended Consequences - an eye shot would presumably be fatal and would certainly leave a mark. Prolly prevent more attacking from said perp too.

That being said, there's a G34 MOS on the nightstand here.

 

[Jim Watson]

With a 22LR target pistol with red dot - Model 41 comes to mind ala Unintended Consequences - an eye shot would presumably be fatal and would certainly leave a mark. Prolly prevent more attacking from said perp too.

At one time that was considered a fault.
Subcaliber pistols, .22, .25, maybe even .32 were called "face guns" because their most effective application would be to shoot an assailant in the face in order to put a small bullet up his nose or through an eye into his brain.
Therefore shooting to kill, not shooting to "stop."

 

[DustyGmt]

I wouldn't choose to given all the other options but I'd still feel well armed with a 10/22 or even a handgun like a G44. But I feel pretty well armed even when I just have a knife on me but always prefer to have a gun on my person and at minimum, at least a 9mm. If all I had though was a .22lr, I'd train with it and treat it basically j7st like any other HD firearm I own. Reliable, clean and plenty of loaded magazines/ammo.

People have limitations based on physical traits and aging. If it gets to the point where all I can shoot well is a .22lr, that's what I will carry.

 

[GEM]

I agree with that. So far at my age, I can still shoot 9mm Glocks and 45 ACP 1911s. I have a G44 and a couple of 32 HR / 327 revolvers that could fire less recoiling rounds if it came to that. I wouldn't feel helpless with a 22 LR but wouldn't choose as primary unless it was a physical necessity.

 

[KevininPa]

My FIL and I were having this discussion recently. He's in his '80's and has lost a lot of his strength. He can't shoot his Taurus 9mm any longer because he can't rack the slide. We bought him a Mossberg 500 in .410, the one with the muzzle brake, and while he can shoot it well enough, he's at the point where he can hardly lift it with both hands into a firing position. He started asking me about a .22 revolver... my thought was a 8- or 9-shot .22MAG DA revolver... but then looking at what's available, and for what prices, I don't know. I still wish I had my J-frame .38SPC to give him. I also thought about a 9mm revolver, but it would have to be small... because of the weight.

I have the 9mm LCRx. It's pretty snappy.

 

[DustyGmt]

I have the 9mm LCRx. It's pretty snappy.

Really? I've wondered about em, I've always liked wheel guns and the LCR. I would have thought the LCR 9mm would be pretty tame. More snappy than a .38spl?

 

[Kleanbore]

an eye shot would presumably be fatal and would certainly leave a mark. Prolly prevent more attacking from said perp too

It would require pure luck--and fatality is not a proper objective.

 

[DustyGmt]

Well... that's my FIL... minus the oxy tank. His lungs work a little too good, sometimes, if you know what I mean...

I did think about one of those tip-up barrel autos.

I've also considered just getting him a Kahr CW9... and just load it for him. It would be no different than a revolver setting there... he is not going to have the dexterity to do a reload in any event, and particularly in the middle of the night. 8rds of 9mm is way better than anything .22LR, .25, or, likely, .32. I'mma have to drag him out to the desert to see if he can shoot it.

I haven't been through the entire thread but I wonder if the S&W EZ slide .380 or 9mm would be a consideration. I've noticed that the Smith is a lil easier to pull slide and jack a round in. But maybe an LCR .22WMR. Not too snappy but pretty damn easy to shoot and will definitely take care of business with proper shot placement. 9 rd revolver is pretty nice too....

 

[SterlingBullet]

I agree with most of this. There's one thing to keep in mind about .22LR revolvers. They often have a rather stiff DA pull because rimfire needs a more energetic hammer strike than centerfire. Someone buying a .22LR revolver thinking that it's going to be easy to operate would be well advised to try both the DA pull and cocking the hammer.

The other side of that is that while .22LR autopistols are usually easier to operate than centerfire autopistols, I've had too many reliability issues with .22LR autopistols to want to rely on one for self-defense. I still have a couple, but honestly, I almost never shoot them because it's more fun to shoot my .22LR SP101 because it's far more reliable and I can use any ammo I want in it.

If I were looking at something for self/home defense for someone with low hand strength and issues with recoil, I'd probably start looking for something in a largish locked breech autopistol chambered in .32ACP or .380ACP. The locked breech requirement is important as the blowback guns tend to have stiff recoil springs and more recoil.

Most of the Taurus revolvers in the last year have very light DA pulls that my arthritic trigger finger can still pull, especially the 38 and 357 revolvers.
In fact, two Taurus revolvers came into the LGS where I work today, a Raging Hunter in 454 Casual, and a Judge Executive in 45LC/410. Both surprised me with very light DA triggers. The Hunter was one humongous revolver. The Executive might be the most elegant, well balanced revolver Taurus has made so far.

i did not mention the Kel-Tec P17 in my earlier post. It has a very light weight trigger pull and a very easy to pull tiny slide since is a fixed barrel 22.

 

[Tallball]

Really? I've wondered about em, I've always liked wheel guns and the LCR. I would have thought the LCR 9mm would be pretty tame. More snappy than a .38spl?

I have a steel Taurus Model 85 in 38 special, and the exact same revolver (Model 905) in 9mm. With normal target loads the 9mm definitely has more recoil. I don't find it at all unpleasant to shoot, but I can easily tell the difference.

 

[Buckeye63]

Pic of my P17., loaded with CCI 40grs RN Mini-Mags , is now what carry around the house. I work from home..It is light, 16+1 and extremely dependable .

 

[Rodfac]

I sleep with a 686 under my pillow. The Mark II is for armadillos.

Got a chuckle out of your post, Boat & a few memories too....I'll add that years ago, MANY years ago, I recall bouncing the occasional .22 standard velocity bullet off an armadillo's side plates if I didn't hit 'em square. That was down Del Rio way back in '69. But your 686 sure autta do for most any miscreant or critter no matter the angle with appropriate loads!! Best regards, Rod

 

[KevininPa]

Really? I've wondered about em, I've always liked wheel guns and the LCR. I would have thought the LCR 9mm would be pretty tame. More snappy than a .38spl?

Yes, it is. 9mm generates more power. Think of it being between .38 and .357. That's why Ruger has it built on the heavier .357 frame.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

I sometimes carry a small 22 LR pistol because it's all I can conceal carry at the time but I leave it behind anytime I can CC carry something bigger. IMO a 22 LR handgun is better than nothing for any kind of defensive situation but it's not a very wise choice if you have a more powerful option available.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

In my worthless opinion. If you have it great. Good to have something to put your hands on WHEN YOUR (DEE , DEE MOW!) ... or heading for GOOD cover / protected area. If you're running to the fight with a 22lr. ....... whelp!

 

[357smallbore]

I have a 1975 High Standard Mark IV 9 shot 22 magnum I carry for CCW and home time in a ISP holster. My load is CCI 30gr jhp +v
These dudes clock out of my gun at a screaming 1625fps. That 175lbs of muzzle energy. I know these will stop an attacker. May take a few to do it, but 22 mag is no joke.

 

[skoro]

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 in many home invasions, the criminals are looking to grab something quick and get away without springing leaks of ANY caliber. A 22lr would serve well enough in that scenario.

BUT...

If your house is known to hold large qtys of cash, valuable jewelry or anything else that could attract vermin, I'd definitely want a minimum of 38+P.

 

[BlackHand1917]

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?

If .22 is all you have then by all means use it. However, its not the best choice. If someone is recoil sensitive then perhaps
380 or 32acp might be better options. Another option for the recoil averse might be a METAL FRAMED 9mm over the more common polymer framed guns. I have a now discontinued Stoeger Cougar in .40 and its so heavy I feel like I'm shooting .22 shorts oit of the thing.