Ruger 10/22 as a home-defense weapon?

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Did I miss something, or did no one mention the fact that rim fired ammo is much more unpredictable when it comes to consistency? Not saying that I wouldn't use my 10/22 for home defense if it was all I had, but since its not, the 10/22 is far down the list of what I keep ready, " just in case".

Still 2 Many Choices?!
 
.22 LR Goodness

My first gun was a Ruger 10/22.

For several months it was all I had.

I bought it so I could learn to shoot, learn gun handling, and have some fun.

I also realized that, although not ideal to the purpose, it would certainly serve for HD if it came to that. I didn't persuade myself that people would be intimidated looking at a rifle more than a pistol, and I didn't kid myself that it would be easy to handle a carbine in a house.

It was what I had.

After I learned to shoot and after I had some experience with gun handling, I got an M1 Carbine and a Marlin Camp 9 on the same day. The "manual of arms" for those two rifles is essentially the same as for the Ruger 10/22, and they deliver substantially more punch.

Since then, I've gained some proficiency with pistols and added another couple of rifles -- where "couple" is a .223, a .30-30, a .357 carbine, another 9mm carbine (CX4), and another pair of .22s -- well, okay, another trio of .22s.

I believe I could defend my home with anything in my gun cabinet. The small calibre stuff I shoot accurately even when firing rapidly. The bigger stuff I shoot "acceptably" (meaning I may not hit a two-inch circle, but Mr. BG is gonna hurt nonetheless). And the rifles (mostly carbines, actually) are easy and natural for me.

I'm not nearly as worried about the ability of a .22 LR rifle to ruin a bad guy's day as I am about my ability to stand my ground and do what must be done under stress.

I certainly wouldn't want to go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

If you're starting with a 10/22, then use it to become proficient.

When finances permit, maybe think about a 9mm carbine (Hi-Point makes a cheap but good shooter) or (for a bit more cash) a .357 carbine like the Marlin 1894. It shoots .38 special, too, so practice ammo won't break you.

Take your time. Go handle various rifles. As you get better with the .22 rifle, your grasp of what works for you will improve. You may learn that you love pump actions and hate lever guns. It has to work in your hands, so advice will only get you so far.

You know, there are other High Road members in Massachusetts. You could spend some time with one of them and answer a whole bunch of practical questions.

Just a thought.
 
I'm not nearly as worried about the ability of a .22 LR rifle to ruin a bad guy's day as I am about my ability to stand my ground and do what must be done under stress.
Click to expand...

This is an important factor which I believe should be brought up
in these HD posts. Unless you have law enforcement or military
training and experience in armed confrontation your ability to
effectively place even 10 .22 rounds is going to be seriously
compromised.

A lot of these clowns are armed, facing him with a .22 is probably
a big mistake. A 12 ga. gives you a chance and in any case just
pointing it and racking it may solve your problem. If not, you're
not outgunned and you are much more likely to get enough lead
on target to end the contest in your favor.
 
The 10/22 is one of the most flexible rifle platforms available. I bought one to teach my daughters how to shoot and do it safely. (Its also fun) Since they've grown up I keep it in a collapsable stock with a cheap laser attached. Its not my primary HD option, but I've got to believe a BG that sees that red dot on his chest is not going to be trying to figure out what the caliber is before making the next move.
 
If I were in your situation I would buy a .22LR for practice and plinking, and a Hi Point carbine for HD. They are extremely reliable, about as powerful as a .357 revolver, and can be had new for under $200. Total for both = $400, plus both are long guns and should be obtainable easily in MA.
 
Jacobhh Quoted:
Unless you have law enforcement or military
training and experience in armed confrontation your ability to
effectively place even 10 .22 rounds is going to be seriously
compromised.
Click to expand...
This is why you go to the range with a purpose in mind, its not to let loose a snot load of lead all of the time, IMHO. The venerable 22 lr is a great gun to start out with, sort of the gateway drug I mean gun.;)

I am going to quote you again:
Unless you have law enforcement or military training and experience in armed confrontation your ability to
effectively place even 10 .22 rounds is going to be seriously
compromised.
Click to expand...
Most military do not have combat experienct to include myself. Combat training yes. Most of the LEOs I have seen shoot cannot shoot nowhere near as well as their departments should require them to do or enforce them to do.
It is not a secret. LEOs are not well off in the pay department. Squeezed in the middle from the top and civilians. Some of the younger ones go into the ranges and because they belong to the blue treally believe that they can shoot. I have been in the Army 20 Years and have instructed many and to see some of these come off of the streets hard headed and making the common mistakes...
We are talking the rough points that should have been smoothed out before they passed any course and put into unform much less what should be handled under duress.
 
yup, a 10/22 will work... if

a 10/22 can be used some-what useful as a home defense gun if it is configured right. my HD 10/22 has a folding Choate stock, light-pipe sites, and jungle clipped 25 round Butler Creek Steel Lips mags. if something happens, just keep pressing the trigger till the mags empty or the problem ceases being a problem.

if its all you can afford and its the only gun you have, its good for home defense, ive been there too. now i have a 20 ga pump with #3 buck and slug alternates and a Cold Steel ODA knife. best of luck - Eric
 
My Ruger 10/22 is my girlfriend's apartment defense gun. She won't shot any of my shotguns, so I'd rather her have it that nothing. She live alone so its important for her to have a firearm. I have my most reliable hi-cap mag loaded up for her with hp ammo (oddly its an Eagle 30 rounder that has NEVER jammed with tons of rounds though). I made her practice loading and unloading the gun over and over. She is also under instructions to keep pulling the trigger till the bg aint moving. I don't want her to put one .22 into the perp and find out the hard way it isn't enough. Plus I doubt the media could spin a cute college girl into a overzealous killer due to round count. The 10/22 isn't my first choice for her protection, but at the time being its better than pepper-spray and harsh words.
 
If you do have to use a 10/22, get yourself one of the hi-cap magazines (you can get up to 50 rounds I believe) and keep it loaded with hollowpoints. I'd suggest the drum magazine that is available - the tear-drop shaped mags are a bit unreliable but my nephew reports the drum mag as working like a charm (I've got a couple of makes of 25 and 30 rounders but no 50s).

You should be able to pick up a cheap and cheerful shotgun or handgun for a few notes so get one of those when you can afford it (beaten old side-by-side, Hi-Point etc). In fact, consider getting a shotgun instead of the Ruger - shotgun ammunition is cheap and clays are a lot of fun.
 
I own a Remmington 597 .22lr and while I would use it for self defense if it is what I had in my hand I would prefer my .223 or 12 gauge shotgun. Mine is a new england pardner single shot. I feel very confident with this as many a homesteader has defended his home with this type of firearm. Besides I figure I use the heavy hitter first and if there are more I can back it up with the .223 or .22lr butthe lr would definitly be a backup piece.
 
The biggest problem with using a .22 cal rimfire for defense is that although it may deliver a wound that is ultimatly deadly , it may not imediatly stop your assailant from further hostile action ! kevin
 
many people have been killed by a .22 round by many many more have been only injured, I would definately suggest a shotgun they are so cheap its foolish not to have one. I prefer 12 guage, but if you arent comfortable with it the 20, will do fine.
 
I was watching a show on court tv where some guy used a Remington 511 to drop some lady withe two shots with solid bullets.
 
definitely not the best choice, but I'd take a .22 over nothing any day of the week. I'm sure lots of lives have been saved by .22's over the years. I remember reading about many people stopping attackers with a .22 in armed citizen columns.

That being said, buy a .22 and something bigger if you can. If not, it should do the trick until you can buy a dedicated HD firearm
 
You might also consider a Marlin Model 60 .22 autoloader- they have a great reputation for accuracy and hold a few more rounds than a stock 1022.

The stock 1022 magazine is a square box- under pressure, and especially in darkness, it is easy to reverse it and attempt to insert it backwards. This may be a good argument for an extended magazine, as the shape is different.

The marlin would have to be stored loaded to be an effective defense weapon, as it has a tube magazine and will be slow to load.

If you are new to shooting and guns, remember this- the first thing your friends will do is pick it up, point it at someone, and pull the trigger!

Hollywood has "educated" people real well on how to negligently handle arms.

Buy the .22- the odds of needing it for defense are low, it will do the job if necessary, and you will have many years of inexpensive pleasure from shooting it.
And if the gun has reliability problems SWITCH TO A DIFFERENT AMMO! low grade ammo is the chief cause of misfires and jamming, especially with a .22.
 
"Is a .22 going to work?"

it could be pressed into service if nothing else was available, but a pre-planned response should include a more effective tool
 
My only reservation with using a rimfire for home defense is the reliability of the average semiautomatic rimfire weapon. I have a pile of .22s and I shoot .22s far more than anything else, but they also tend to jam more than anything else. No big deal when I am playing at the range, but a double feed in my 10/22 requiring me to drop the (factory) magazine is not all that uncommon. I realize that quality ammunition and a well-maintained weapon are paramount in automatic rimfire reliability but I shoot primarily CCI Stingers, Minimags, and Green Tags and I am anal about cleaning my weapons. I would still not hesitate to use a 10/22 for HD work if that was all I had. Actually, I would rather have a well broken-in 10/22 loaded with Stingers or Yellow Jackets than any .25acp or .32acp.

Rob
 
Save your pennies and buy something with a little more power. If its just reliability you can go with a little S&W 642 (38 Special) for under $300. Or if wheel guns are not your thing opt for a Glock (MSRP $599).
 
I have had a 10/22 for many years and it has been incredibly reliable. The 10/22 with a 25 round magazine will spit out a lot of lead in a very short time. Due to the low recoil, it is also easy to keep on target under those conditions. If you are shooting at a rational person, he will probably be more concerned about the amount of firepower coming his way than the caliber, and try to run or hide. The down side to the 10/22 is that it may not have enough penetration to get into the engine room. For that reason, I would use the heaviest solid point bullets I could find. The 10/22 would not be my first choice, but I do not feel it is entirely inadequate.
 
For those who are worried about the "stopping power" of the .22 long rifle... a curious question.

Here is the scenario...

YOU have decided to break into someone's home. Late on a dark and stormy night you have donned your ski-mask, shouldered your AK-47 which has been rebarreled to .458 Winchester and converted to full-auto... and you are now carefully quietly prying the door jamb at your victim's home - and suddenly you hear a shot from inside and the glass of the door window explodes nearly in your face.... and then all is quiet.
Will you continue your attempt to invade the house or will you leave ?

I'll even grant you that - somehow - you realize the shot fired was "just" a .22 long rifle.

Stay, or Leave. What would you do ?:confused:
 
My response.
1. Walk Away from the door.
2. put muzzle of gun in the house in the general direction of the person.
3. Hold trigger until big boom stops
4. Rob the house because a 458 Winchester on full auto will kill them with the bullets or muzzle flash.
 
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