fouled bore
Member
What good 22 autos are there for concealed carry?
Are there any 22s for CC?
- Thread starter fouled bore
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OpticsPlanet
Member
.22 autos?
a .22 WMR like the LCR is probably the closest i would get to carrying a .22 rimfire
feels too hollywood assassin if i had a mk II or walther p22 haha
-Matt S.
a .22 WMR like the LCR is probably the closest i would get to carrying a .22 rimfire
feels too hollywood assassin if i had a mk II or walther p22 haha
-Matt S.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Tricky question to answer. There are plenty of .22 autos that are small enough. That's the easy part. Finding one that works every time, every day, no matter what is tough, as is ammo selection that a) works every time, every day, no matter what in your gun, and b) seems to have some chance of doing something useful in an emergency.
It is a lot easier to find a reliable, effective .380 or .32 Auto for CC than it is a .22.
fouled bore
Member
I am asking in response to a person that I was shooting with that wants a small CC pistol but does not like the kick that the small 380s have. I know a 22 is not idea for CC and I don't want to get into that debate. I would like to find something the size of an LCP. The SR22 is a nice gun but maybe a little big. Just looking for other options that I may not have thought of.
mgmorden
Member
IF I had to carry a .22 (perish the thought) the SR-22 would be at the top of my list.
No rimfire handgun is ever going to be as reliable as a centerfire (and the same goes for rimmed vs rimless - both are working against the .22LR), but the SR-22 is pretty reliable as far as .22's go.
No rimfire handgun is ever going to be as reliable as a centerfire (and the same goes for rimmed vs rimless - both are working against the .22LR), but the SR-22 is pretty reliable as far as .22's go.
jimbo555
Member
If a 22 is what you need I would go with the Ruger lcr22lr revolver. 8 rounds and if you get a dud you just pull the trigger again. 22mag gives you little advantage over 22lr with a 2 inch barrel. I'd much rather have the 2 extra rounds in the lcr. If you insist on a semi auto I hear good things about the sr-22. But stick with premium ammo.
Monac
Member
I don't think there are many (or any) concealed carry size 22 autos left, because of the 32s and 380s that are roughly the same size.
There was just a thread here about the Walther TPH, which sounds like it may have been the best vest-pocket 22 auto ever made, but it is scarce and expensive now, I think.
Edit: I forgot about the Beretta Bobcat! Dang, I'm getting old. Kudos to finfanatic and KBob.
There was just a thread here about the Walther TPH, which sounds like it may have been the best vest-pocket 22 auto ever made, but it is scarce and expensive now, I think.
Edit: I forgot about the Beretta Bobcat! Dang, I'm getting old. Kudos to finfanatic and KBob.
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finfanatic
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Tipup barrel
Beretta Bobcat .22 Tipup barrell.
Tee tiny thing, but if you have to have a small auto .22
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/21-a-bobcat/
Taurus makes copies of the Beretta tipups too I think?
Beretta Bobcat .22 Tipup barrell.
Tee tiny thing, but if you have to have a small auto .22
http://www.beretta.com/en-us/21-a-bobcat/
Taurus makes copies of the Beretta tipups too I think?
kBob
Member
If it is new clean and broken in and has the right ammo for that particular gun a Beretta 21A beats a shout and holler by a longshot. I did stop carrying one after it became unreliable after several years of pocket carry.
I found mine more reliable loaded one or two short in the magazine.
If you find it less than reliable stop using it and get something else.
-kBob
I found mine more reliable loaded one or two short in the magazine.
If you find it less than reliable stop using it and get something else.
-kBob
There are the Taurus and Beretta tip ups. They are spotty as some run and some never do. The SW small 22 LR was discontinued for problems.
If someone says their gun is great - well that's nice but they are problematic for many.
There are many 22 larger guns that look like larger caliber semis. Their reliability also is variable.
The usual post will be that unless there is some specific physical reason for a 22, there are better options.
The revolver options from SW and Ruger have pretty heavy triggers compared to the center fire guns.
If someone says their gun is great - well that's nice but they are problematic for many.
There are many 22 larger guns that look like larger caliber semis. Their reliability also is variable.
The usual post will be that unless there is some specific physical reason for a 22, there are better options.
The revolver options from SW and Ruger have pretty heavy triggers compared to the center fire guns.
Have you considered .25 ACP?
Yeah the ammo is alot more expensive compared to .22LR but it's far more reliable. Power/Recoil about the same between the two calibers. The .25 will have actually jacketed bullets which is a plus.
Alot of people like to poo-poo the .25 but I'd take a .25 over a .22 any day. I've been carrying a .25 ACP Beretta model 950 for about 10 years now. The gun is tiny, reliable, and surprisingly accurate.
If I HAD to have a .22 for defense, it would be a double action revolver.
If I HAD to have a .22 for defense and it HAD to be a semi-auto, I'd go with the Beretta tip up barreled pistols
Yeah the ammo is alot more expensive compared to .22LR but it's far more reliable. Power/Recoil about the same between the two calibers. The .25 will have actually jacketed bullets which is a plus.
Alot of people like to poo-poo the .25 but I'd take a .25 over a .22 any day. I've been carrying a .25 ACP Beretta model 950 for about 10 years now. The gun is tiny, reliable, and surprisingly accurate.
If I HAD to have a .22 for defense, it would be a double action revolver.
If I HAD to have a .22 for defense and it HAD to be a semi-auto, I'd go with the Beretta tip up barreled pistols
steelbird
Member
Taurus PT22 Poly with CCI Minimags. Haven't had a single failure with that combination. I don't have the earlier all metal version, the poly is supposed to be better. Blazers and Thunderbolts work very nicely with mine. Tiny, light, fits right in the pocket. A .22 isn't the best choice, but this little gun can put the shots where you need to put them - very little recoil and muzzle rise, easy to keep on target. It's fussy though - needs HV to function, and not every HV works. It also tends to eject the spent shells upward, not to the side. I've had the occasional shell land on my hands or bounce off my head. But it works, and it's accurate for what it's meant for - a close range gun.
kBob
Member
If you don't mind going up to mid sized I keep hearing good things about the Bersa. My bug man has had one for a number of years and dispite the fact that he actually buys and sells guns about like some folks change socks, he will not sell it to me even when I offered new gun price.
In between I had friends that liked the Erma/Iver & Johnson RX or EX 22. Problem is they are zinc frame guns that may be shot to pieces if you find one on the used market. Some police departments when I&J brought them out even approved them for off duty concealed carry and did group buys.
I never got one myself as I believed a rumor that I&J were looking at an all Stainless steel model and , since I heard the rumor from I&J, I believed it, and went on to other things. I did like the two I shot back then and one of those was with a group of guys that shot up a hundred or so rounds killing soda cans with no issues among the five or so of us including one Gurl.
If money is no object look for a Walther TPK in stainless.
With ANY .22 pistol it is important to try as many different brands and styles of ammo as possible to establish what works best. If you are not willing to do this stick to center-fire. Also with small guns having a good grip is even more important than on other semi autos. The Ammo that works absolutely perfect say for me may not work with someone more limp wristed ( no offense intended here, just some folks have better/stronger "holds" than others)
Although this is the Auto pistol section one might consider one of the J frame size revolvers out there for .22 LR.
-kBob
In between I had friends that liked the Erma/Iver & Johnson RX or EX 22. Problem is they are zinc frame guns that may be shot to pieces if you find one on the used market. Some police departments when I&J brought them out even approved them for off duty concealed carry and did group buys.
I never got one myself as I believed a rumor that I&J were looking at an all Stainless steel model and , since I heard the rumor from I&J, I believed it, and went on to other things. I did like the two I shot back then and one of those was with a group of guys that shot up a hundred or so rounds killing soda cans with no issues among the five or so of us including one Gurl.
If money is no object look for a Walther TPK in stainless.
With ANY .22 pistol it is important to try as many different brands and styles of ammo as possible to establish what works best. If you are not willing to do this stick to center-fire. Also with small guns having a good grip is even more important than on other semi autos. The Ammo that works absolutely perfect say for me may not work with someone more limp wristed ( no offense intended here, just some folks have better/stronger "holds" than others)
Although this is the Auto pistol section one might consider one of the J frame size revolvers out there for .22 LR.
-kBob
Coyote3855
Member
It isn't tiny, but it is light weight and mine has been very reliable - KelTec PMR 30 in 22 magnum. It sees a lot of holster time around the ranch and is the bomb on ground squirrels. I don't feel undergunned with it and a spare magazine, although for the reasons well covered above, I prefer my Glock 19 for regular social carry. A couple of companies are making special .22 magnum ammo for short barrels. I haven't been able to find any locally.
Walt Sherrill
Member
Coyote3855 said:
If push came to shove, I wouldn't hesitate to use a PMR-30 for home defense. For concealed carry and the proper holster, it might work -- for as you say, it's very light. And accurate. If you don't load the magazine with 30 rounds -- but keep it to 25 or so, it seems to be VERY RELIABLE. (It may do better with more rounds after I've shot it more.)
I got one for my wife who just couldn't (or wouldn't) handle most other guns. If she could make them function (as with a very slickly tuned S&W 66-3 revolver), she couldn't hit the side of a barn. That 25-30 round mags give her a LOT of shots to use if she ever needs to use one in self-defense here at home, when I'm not around. Were she to carry concealed -- which she won't do -- it would ride in a purse very nicely.
Her first time out with the Kel-Tec PMR-30 found her shooting 7-8 inch groups (maybe 10 rounds) at 20 feet... and that surprised us both. With a little practice, she should get a lot better. (Prior to that just hitting the target at the range SOMEWHERE was an achievement.
The PMR-30 is VERY LOUD, and the flash is eye-catching! I shoot at an indoor range, and everyone there stops and looks around, and a few come over to see what I'm shooting.
Hornady makes a number of .22 WMR rounds for handguns, but finding them may be hard. I've been on a waiting list for several months. Am using other stuff for practice.
Lord Teapot
Member
i don't trust rimfire for defense, i'd only carry a .22lr as a backup. .25acp or .32acp are better bets.
too many failures in my personal experience with .22lr of all brand and price range, almost zero failures with center fire, of all caliber, of all brand, of all price.
too many failures in my personal experience with .22lr of all brand and price range, almost zero failures with center fire, of all caliber, of all brand, of all price.
Ironicaintit
Member
Ive never found a .22 pistol that functioned with 100% reliability. The priming method of the cartridge just is not, and cannot be as reliable as a centerfire. My opinion, of course.fouled bore said:
So I cannot recommend one for defense.
That being said;
Has your friend ever shot a Sig 238?
Ive fired a few different pocket size .380s, and it is easily the softest shooter I have... Uh, i mean, that my wife has!
Even my 67 year old mom can use it without issues.
Just throwin that out there
VINTAGE-SLOTCARS
member
I have the option of .38 spl, 9mm,and .45acp. I also carry a Beretta 948 in .22 cal. I have never had any problem in 30 yrs with this pistol. It is small enough to have in a pants pocket or jacket pocket.
BSA1
member
Sam1911 summarized it well in Post #3.
It just so happened that I stopped by a LGS today and they had a very nice looking 22 L.R. Walther PPK/S in the display case for $299.00. Yet for the same size and weight I could have it in 32 Auto which is much more reliabile than a rimfire, is soft shooting and has a good selection of hollow point ammunition.
It just so happened that I stopped by a LGS today and they had a very nice looking 22 L.R. Walther PPK/S in the display case for $299.00. Yet for the same size and weight I could have it in 32 Auto which is much more reliabile than a rimfire, is soft shooting and has a good selection of hollow point ammunition.
weregunner
Member
I second steelbird's recommendation.
I've got 2 Taurus PT-22s and a PLY model. The PLY model weighs just a bit less and that can be great so it does not sag the pocket.
High velocity ammo or standard pressure ammo works well in mine.
CCI Standard Velocity, Mini-Mags of both kinds, and Remington fodder are the go to loads for mine. No hyper-velocity rounds should be used in any PLY or PT gun in rimfire guise.
I have not had the rimfire failures of any kind with these guns.
Taurus does make the PT25 if you want to go to a centerfire version.
Beretta does make good tip up pistols so if you decide to go that way, fine.
It's just that the Taurus versions fit me better and I like double action for each shot better than the DA/SA trigger pulls on the Beretta guns. That's just a personal choice.
Beretta's Tomcat in .32ACP I like a lot. Usable sights. Yes, it is a DA/SA trigger type gun, but it works out better than on the rimfire guns.
Bersa makes a great .22lrf pistol in the Thunder series. The LGS has one. It has some things to like about over the Walther pistol.
I've got 2 Taurus PT-22s and a PLY model. The PLY model weighs just a bit less and that can be great so it does not sag the pocket.
High velocity ammo or standard pressure ammo works well in mine.
CCI Standard Velocity, Mini-Mags of both kinds, and Remington fodder are the go to loads for mine. No hyper-velocity rounds should be used in any PLY or PT gun in rimfire guise.
I have not had the rimfire failures of any kind with these guns.
Taurus does make the PT25 if you want to go to a centerfire version.
Beretta does make good tip up pistols so if you decide to go that way, fine.
It's just that the Taurus versions fit me better and I like double action for each shot better than the DA/SA trigger pulls on the Beretta guns. That's just a personal choice.
Beretta's Tomcat in .32ACP I like a lot. Usable sights. Yes, it is a DA/SA trigger type gun, but it works out better than on the rimfire guns.
Bersa makes a great .22lrf pistol in the Thunder series. The LGS has one. It has some things to like about over the Walther pistol.
JN01
Member
Sig P938 is available in .22 LR: http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p938-22lr-rosewood.aspx
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I still have a worn out Beretta Bobcat in .22LR that I did carry on occasion back in the day. With the right ammo and a clean chamber it would make it through 2 magazines in a row. Mostly if you downloaded the mag by 1 round. Anyway, that gun got clapped out and it is now waiting for a gun buy back program, I suppose.
I do have a Bersa Firestorm in .22 LR that is world's better than the Beretta ever was, but it needs something like CCI MiniMags to run well for something like self defense.
Honestly, if I had to step back down to .22 LR for a small carry gun, I'd try and find a 8-shot snub nose double action revolver and put in the best ammo that would work with the gun.
I do have a Bersa Firestorm in .22 LR that is world's better than the Beretta ever was, but it needs something like CCI MiniMags to run well for something like self defense.
Honestly, if I had to step back down to .22 LR for a small carry gun, I'd try and find a 8-shot snub nose double action revolver and put in the best ammo that would work with the gun.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
Yep. Me too.
I've had the fun of firing a friend of mine's PMR 30 on a few occasions. His works well with 28 in the mag. 28 rounds of .22 Mag could be a nice home defense blaster when I get to an age where I can't handle recoil anymore. I'll probably be deaf then, so muzzle blast might not be a big deal.
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