A .22 handgun for home self defense?

[JTHunter]

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!

While I have a 10/22 with 30 & 50 round magazines (mixed ammo with HPs and LRN), it is NOT my "first line of defense".
That remains a 12 ga. SxS and then an AK with a 40 rounder.

 

[halfmoonclip]

hits trump misses and no centerfire firearm offers a proximity fuse.

Truth for the ages, this! The old "horseshoes and hand grenades" notion.
Moon

 

[Howland937]

Just returned home from shooting with the kid. It was a .22 only day and we shot about 750 rounds. Ruger MKIII, MKIV, Single Six, 2 different TX22's (competition model and standard), Sig p322, M&P 15/22. CCI Mini mags and Blazers, Fed AM, Aguila SE and Eley Sport. Had about 15 malfunctions total of various types, but 4 were total duds that didn't fire on the 2nd, 3rd or 4th try. 2 Blazers, 2 Fed AM

There is the popular Sig P322 that has 20 or 25 round mags and probably more reliable any .22 revolver and with the optic more likely to actually hit your target. I also hear good things about the Tarus TX-22 and Glock 44.

There are good things about them, for sure. However they have a couple of glaring shortcomings. None of them are as reliable as the Single Six, and the ammo is nowhere nearly as consistent as even crap centerfire ammo.

 

[wayneinFL]

Probably like you said initially most stops are psychological. As for physical stops the shootings that guys point to to justify carrying a bit larger caliber mostly give me pause that just hitting center mass with a little bigger caliber or a couple more rounds just might not be enough.
Maybe a guy should practice a failure to stop drill.


To expand on this were trying to poke holes using a 16 oz hammer to poke .22" holes will be a lot easier than trying to poke .35" or .45" holes especially for my 93 year old dad and I'm quite sure handing him a 4# sledge isn't a good answer.

I don't know your dad.

When my dad was lucid and physically able to cook for himself and get around the house on his own, I don't see how he couldn't have handled a full size 380 or 32 just as well as a 22lr. A nine year old can handle a full size 380.

There did come a time when he couldn't handle a 380, but he couldn't have handled a 22lr either. He could barely handle a ball point pen. But that was long after he needed someone to cook, clean, help him to the bathroom, etc. That person would have been the best option to defend him in a home invasion.

I sat on a grand jury for two cases of burglary/murder in the last 5 weeks, and they were everything I would expect in the suddenness and brutality of a home invasion. I couldn't in clear conscience recommend keeping a 22lr for home defense if you have any better option. But I'm just some random guy on the internet. If you think a 22lr has an advantage over something else, go for it.

 

[jstert]

I don't know your dad.

When my dad was lucid and physically able to cook for himself and get around the house on his own, I don't see how he couldn't have handled a full size 380 or 32 just as well as a 22lr. A nine year old can handle a full size 380.

There did come a time when he couldn't handle a 380, but he couldn't have handled a 22lr either. He could barely handle a ball point pen. But that was long after he needed someone to cook, clean, help him to the bathroom, etc. That person would have been the best option to defend him in a home invasion.

I sat on a grand jury for two cases of burglary/murder in the last 5 weeks, and they were everything I would expect in the suddenness and brutality of a home invasion. I couldn't in clear conscience recommend keeping a 22lr for home defense if you have any better option. But I'm just some random guy on the internet. If you think a 22lr has an advantage over something else, go for it.

how well can a nine year old handle a 380acp handgun? is popping off a couple of rounds meaningful “handling?”

two burglary/murder home invasions in 5 weeks in a certain locale? don’t the relevant issues here go way beyond just choice of firearm caliber?

every situation is different. indeed someone who is sadly incapable of simple self-care tasks is likely incapable of handling any firearm.

if all that you can physically and financially have, and maintain proficiency with, is a rimfire firearm, and if you are doing your best to avoid trouble and harden your places/routines, then 22lr does have an advantage and there is no something else.

sadly some jurisdictions (california and new york come to mind quickly) regulate 22lr long guns much less than their centerfire counterparts while making lawful handgun ownership (unconstitutionally) burdensome to the extreme. a ruger 10/22 rifle offers imperfect but better-than-nothing home protection for normal folks.

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[wayneinFL]

if all that you can physically and financially have, and maintain proficiency with, is a rimfire firearm, and if you are doing your best to avoid trouble and harden your places/routines, then 22lr does have an advantage and there is no something else.

Of course it's better than nothing. The OP's question wasn't whether a 22lr handgun was better than nothing. It was whether there was a handgun in 22lr advantage over other calibers in home defense. No one here has said they'd rather have a pointy stick.

two burglary/murder home invasions in 5 weeks in a certain locale? don’t the relevant issues here go way beyond just choice of firearm caliber?

every situation is different. indeed someone who is sadly incapable of simple self-care tasks is likely incapable of handling any firearm.

Sure, every situation is different. Tell me the situation in which you would be facing an attacker with a 22lr and survived, but a 9mm wouldn't have worked.

how well can a nine year old handle a 380acp handgun? is popping off a couple of rounds meaningful “handling?”

I wish my kids were nine years old again. There are a lot of reasons for that. Today the reason is that sounds a lot like a challenge.

 

[GEM]

We just go around and around. Unless you have a physical disability and/or that is all you have due to circumstance, it's not optimal. A normal, physically ok person, can shoot a mild semi, mid sized to full sized 9 mm just fine. Compensating for the lower power by fantasy swarms of accurate bees in the eye socket - oh, give me a break. Yes, there are better rounds if you have to be using a 22LR, esp. in a revolver. Are the semi 22s a little less reliable than a standard something like a Glock or MP, yes.

What more is there to say, except to argue on the Internetz? Oh, there is get the person in SD into a class to be sure they can shoot any gun.

 

[film495]

a .22 is less likely to cause you to immediately go deaf and flash blind you if used indoors at night than most anything else. that might come in handy, you might be able to find the phone to call 911 and hear the operator. you might even get off a few follow up shots.

 

[bdickens]

a .22 is less likely to cause you to immediately go deaf and flash blind you if used indoors at night than most anything else. that might come in handy, you might be able to find the phone to call 911 and hear the operator. you might even get off a few follow up shots.

That there is some really poor reasoning.

 

[chicharrones]

a .22 is less likely to cause you to immediately go deaf and flash blind you if used indoors at night than most anything else. that might come in handy, you might be able to find the phone to call 911 and hear the operator. you might even get off a few follow up shots.

I can tell you that a bright flashlight to the eyes blinds me more than quick flashes from a muzzle. Note to self, don't flash a mirror in your home with a weapon light.

Most folks I know only have cell phones, and cell phones can get loud for the listener when speaker mode is selected and the phone is shoved up against the ear.

I gotta shake my head at the follow up shots comment. As if only .22 LR handguns are capable of follow up shots.

 

[Jim Watson]

Curare?

 

[film495]

I can tell you that a bright flashlight to the eyes blinds me more than quick flashes from a muzzle. Note to self, don't flash a mirror in your home with a weapon light.

Most folks I know only have cell phones, and cell phones can get loud for the listener when speaker mode is selected and the phone is shoved up against the ear.

I gotta shake my head at the follow up shots comment. As if only .22 LR handguns are capable of follow up shots.

a .22 just makes those follow up shots faster and more accurate, in a significant way. I don't use a .22 for carry or self defense, but there are some real arguments for it and that is one of them.

 

[chicharrones]

a .22 just makes those follow up shots faster and more accurate, in a significant way. I don't use a .22 for carry or self defense, but there are some real arguments for it and that is one of them.

Provided the person can handle the gun, there are some soft shooting centerfire handguns to be had.

This thread dives into that somewhat.

Exceptionally soft shooting pistols

What is a pistol you fired that surprised you at how soft shooting it was? I may have a situation where I'm teaching people who have never shot a gun to shoot and my tastes tend towards huge magnum sixguns. I have a few 22s but I'm looking for something a bit more too. I'm considering a Charter...

www.thehighroad.org

And as much as I hate the cost of factory .32 revolver cartridges, my wife is getting a Ruger LCRx in .327 magnum with full length Crimson Trace grip. Of which she will undoubtedly practice with mostly .32 S&W Long and stuff it with .32 H&R Mag for a cylinder or two worth each session, and use it that way if ever needed. This gun may never see a .327 magnum loaded in its chambers.

 

[Agsalaska]

I have not read past the first page...

But I have a stainless Ruger MKII Target pistol that is probably the most accurate pistol I own out to 35 yards with the right ammunition. I would have zero hesitation using it in self defense. I do not keep it loaded but I do keep a 10/22 with a couple of loaded magazines handy.

That MKII is one of the guns on the never sell list. It is reliable and deadly.

 

[hey smepl this]

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?

22lr isn’t my choice for home defense but I can think of a couple points in it’s favor.

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?

.22 would be less deafening indoors, is cheaper to practice with, and is easier to handle for weaker people.

It’s not my pick but sure. 22 is a viable option for self defense. Although consider this. If an intruder wants to break into your house when it’s obvious the house is occupied, you better assume that intruder is armed and means business. In which case you’ll wish you had a bigger bullet.

 

[CDW4ME]

I have not read past the first page...

But I have a stainless Ruger MKII Target pistol that is probably the most accurate pistol I own out to 35 yards with the right ammunition. I would have zero hesitation using it in self defense. I do not keep it loaded but I do keep a 10/22 with a couple of loaded magazines handy.

That MKII is one of the guns on the never sell list. It is reliable and deadly.

Deadly and quickly incapacitating are not inexorably linked; the flu can be deadly but is not quickly incapacitating.
If someone is trying to stop lethal force being used against them ASAP incapacitation potential is paramount, not whether attacker(s) die minutes or hours later.

 

[bdickens]

That MKII is... reliable and deadly.

Fat lot of good that does you when the guy dies three days later in the hospital after he beat you to death.

 

[Howland937]

there are some real arguments for it and that is one of them.

That's the most common argument, but it's still a terrible argument, real or not. Kinda like the old woman who swallowed a fly...22 is somewhere between spider and frog. Better than a stick or a slingshot, but still near the bottom of the list.

is reliable and deadly.

But not reliably deadly. Sure you can kill lots of things with one, but I've seen enough raccoons, possums and groundhogs kinda shrug off a .22 and go on about their business for several minutes before keeling over.

 

[mavracer]

But not reliably deadly. Sure you can kill lots of things with one, but I've seen enough raccoons, possums and groundhogs kinda shrug off a .22 and go on about their business for several minutes before keeling over.

How many have you seen shot with a 32 acp or 380. I've shot a bunch of game with a 38 special and often had very similar reaction.

 

[Howland937]

How many have you seen shot with a 32 acp or 380. I've shot a bunch of game with a 38 special and often had very similar reaction.

I've actually shot several of them with 380, 9mm and .45 ACP. None are super effective at immediately incapacitating raccoons or possums. The bigger holes do make a noticeable difference though. And they all seemed to know something was wrong.

 

[mavracer]

None are super effective at immediately incapacitating raccoons or possums.

That's the thing they all suck.
And we seem to be moving the bar around a little bit (not necessarily you)
A bunch have pointed to 32 and 380 as not having much more recoil and then move to 9mm and 45 for power comparisons.
The reality is if you don't have much more recoil in a given weight gun you're really not making much bigger hole.

 

[chicharrones]

That's the thing they all suck.
And we seem to be moving the bar around a little bit (not necessarily you)
A bunch have pointed to 32 and 380 as not having much more recoil and then move to 9mm and 45 for power comparisons.
The reality is if you don't have much more recoil in a given weight gun you're really not making much bigger hole.

True.

My preference with small centerfires over small rimfires is not only bullet diameter and bullet weight. It's also for more reliable function in an autoloader and an easier to pull DA trigger in a revolver.

I have a reasonably small collection of rimfire handguns in autoloaders and revolvers, but for defense I choose centerfires. Even my lowly .32 ACP Taurus 732 gets put in my pocket before I'd ever go back to my Beretta Bobcat in .22 LR. My Taurus runs very well while my Bobcat should run away.

Edit: Having said that, my CA Undercoverette in .32 mag is in my pocket as I type this. DA in this six shooter is superior to my CA rimfire revolver. Both pictured below.

 

[mavracer]

True.

My preference with small centerfires over small rimfires is not only bullet diameter and bullet weight. It's also for more reliable function in an autoloader and an easier to pull DA trigger in a revolver.

I have a reasonably small collection of rimfire handguns in autoloaders and revolvers, but for defense I choose centerfires. Even my lowly .32 ACP Taurus 732 gets put in my pocket before I'd ever go back to my Beretta Bobcat in .22 LR. My Taurus runs very well while my Bobcat should run away.

Edit: Having said that, my CA Undercoverette in .32 mag is in my pocket as I type this. DA in this six shooter is superior to my CA rimfire revolver. Both pictured below.

View attachment 1174260

I definitely agree on the revolver trigger, many times it's even worse like in the case of the LCR where not only does the 22 have a heavier hammer spring it's an 8 shot which adds a smidge to the trigger due to leverage.
The Taurus vs Bobcat comparison doesn't reflect my experiences, my last Taurus center fire couldn't get thru a full mag without a light strike and my Beretta Bobcat runs like poo thru a goose with CCI mini mags. Ironically my TX22 I had before trading it for the p322 was 100% with everything except Win T22 that even my bolt actions choke on.

 

[AlexanderA]

With a .22 caliber handgun, shot placement would be critical (to disable an attacker). Shooting "center of mass" probably wouldn't cut it, unlike a heavier caliber. Not saying it couldn't be done, but it would take a steady hand and a clear mind -- both of which would be lacking in the panic of a self-defense situation. Ironically, a .22 handgun would be better for offensive use than defensive use, since the attacker has the initiative.

In my opinion, the go-to defensive caliber is 9 mm.

 

[chicharrones]

The Taurus vs Bobcat comparison doesn't reflect my experiences, my last Taurus center fire couldn't get thru a full mag without a light strike and my Beretta Bobcat runs like poo thru a goose with CCI mini mags. Ironically my TX22 I had before trading it for the p322 was 100% with everything except Win T22 that even my bolt actions choke on.

I have to admit, I had to "tune" my TCP732 with a Ruger LCP hammer spring and "sear". The heavier spring requires hot euro ammo to cycle it, which is my preference anyway. But after the tuning and ammo selection, that little TCP is 100% (so far).