Suggestions for CCW .22LR

[atomd]

Hey, when you have a low number of posts and then you post something that pretty much goes against conventional wisdom....along with mentioning close quarters military or self defense scenarios and vietnam, to some of us it might look like you're putting us on.

If you aren't looking to get a rise out of us then I apologize.

 

[Jim Watson]

At one time I carried a K22 for defense because it was all I had. My Mother depended on a Kit Gun, my Uncle a Charter Pathfinder. All revolvers, though.
My Dad had a S&W 61 for a while and before that a Star Lancer which was a better shooter but too big to suit him. I tried one of those Beretta 21s but it was not reliable enough even if it had fired antimatter bullets. I know a guy who carries an older full size Beretta, the current model would be a Model 87 but it is not cheap.

The only low roller .22 auto on the market now is the Walther P22. Early ones had a dreadful reputation, but people say good things about them now.

 

[Gun Geezer]

Regretably, I have never had a 22LR that function 100% or even close. I am intrested in this post as well.

I have read some articles about 22's being carried used very succesffly behind enemy lines. From what I read, a 22 mag to head is a quick kill and a guy can carry light weight pistol and rifle plus 500 rounds with no problem for lots of days. Still, I'd like something a bit punchier if I ever needed it as I am not likely to be able to make a decent brain shot under pressure. That's just me.

 

[Quilbilly]

"...actual experience from those who own this type of gun".

Actual experience from those who own this type of gun seems to dictate that this type of gun is not good for CCW.

 

[ShadyScott999]

If the guy wants to carry a .22, that is his choice. This is how we run a bunch of people away from the armed lifestyle. No one here knows if he is a true Nobie or former SF's looking for advise for a low recoil CW. I am kind of reading between the lines that he has at least some experience.

Let it be. Answer the guys question to the best of your ability and let it go.

Rant Complete. Back to your regularly scheduled programing.

 

[Luv my 1897]

Get a gun that is simple to operate.

I have said it in other forums on home/personal defense I suggest a gun in 9mm at least. The .22LR is a good round for plinking steel plate targets, but are not that formidable when it comes to personal defense. Kahr , like someone above me said make very easy to operate weapons for concealed carry.

 

[Luv my 1897]

As for those saying a .22LR compact pistol doesn't have much recoil, I would have to disagree. My dad owns a small pistol chambered in .22LR. That gun has about as much kick as a medium size, easily concealable 9mm.

 

[Tiomoid]

Walther P22. Try to stay away from used as some of the older ones have had some problems. Walther/S&W have told me that the gun is designed to feed CCI ammo, particularly the mini-mags but new editions function well with most bulk ammo. If you get a new P22 you have a year to get the bugs out with free repair from Walther.

 

[YosemiteSam357]

If you're dead set on a .22LR, check out the Buckmark Challenger II and/or the Buckmark Micro. Buckys are generally held in high regard, are accurate and reliable.

-- Sam

 

[bigfatdave]

Walther P22 is pocketable (it fits a blackhawk #4 holster), and some are reliable. If you insist on .22, demand pocket-carry, and won't do anything but semi-auto ... you get 22LR and lose out on 22 magnum options. You also rule out the most reliable 22LR pistols (Ruger mkI/II/III or 22/45 and Browning Buckmarks, plus high-end target models), so I think you are left with the P22, heavily tested, tuned, and loaded up with Stingers from CCI or another high-end 22LR hunting ammo of your choice.

All that being said, I have a P22, and I have taken to using it for point-shooting practice ... it is accurate enough for close-quarters defense, when it doesn't stovepipe, fail to return to battery, light strike, etc etc. To be fair, I haven't done the modifications/tuning laid out in the P22 bible (search here for it, or WaltherForums has it stickied), because I just let the P22 be a malfunction trainer for full-power pistols, cleaning and lubing it as well as I can, but not going to any herculean measures to tune it up.

Now that I think of it, the P22 with 10 rounds is the same size as my Walther PPS with the 6 round magazine ... if you are supremely confident in your shot placement under stress, I suppose there might be some merit to 10+1 (minus one malfunction) of 22LR when compared to 6+1 of 9mm. I am not that confident in my shot placement, so I opt for 9mm and practice reloads (on both P22 and PPS, they have the same oddball mag release).
If the NAA minis weren't so damn tiny, adorable, (and I assume more reliable) I'd seriously consider the P22 as a BUG, but I think if I ever reach the level of tacticalness that requires a BUG, the mini-revolver will be the way to go, in 22 magnum.

 

[s2mason]

Thanks to you all for the input. I appreciate the wisdom in a multitude of counselors.

 

[VTChuck]

I am on the OP's side. DO CARRY the .22 as a CCW if you think it's the best option for you. I will take a .22 on me over a .45 that's too big, too much hassel, or too lazy, to carry any day.

Walther P22 and Sig Mosquito are the most common choices but they are big guns. Beretta makes a few of them too, Bobcat and Cheetah. Both Kimber and Sig also have .22 conversion kits that will turn a "normal" caliber handgun into a .22 so those are woth checking into as well.

Bottomline, go to a local store or gunshows and fondle a few and find out what fits best. There are a variety of .22 revolvers (too numerous to list) you can check out as well.

 

[surjimmy]

I carry a 1911 in a 45 and 38 super, sometimes my BHP. I however have no problem dropping my little NAA 22 mag in my pocket and hitting the town.

 

[Badger Arms]

.22 Mag, maybe. .22lr, only if my .45 and .32 are both empty...

If you MUST carry a .22lr, the NAA Mini revolvers are excellent... just most of them are also available in .22 Magnum

ANY gun is a 99% stopper before it's fired, about 40% after it's fired... even if it doesn't hit the target. Just the thought that somebody's been shot will stop them almost half the time.

Then again, if you're going to have a gun, follow a simple rule: Bring enough gun.

 

[Gryffydd]

Where are the .22 pocket pistols that have a size advantage over an LCP or Keltec again? I'm still waiting for a real reason to go with a .22 over one of the smaller centerfires.

 

[MNinfidel]

I have carried a Beretta 21A in my coin pocket, fit nice and hid under my belt. Very unreliable. Worst part is with a dud you have to poke it out manually. They do not have an extractor. Big time pain in the posterior, especially if you have to use it in self defense. Mostly now I carry my NAA magnum in my coin pocket. It is a lot more comfortable than carrying my XD, so it goes with me more often. They are stainless, well made, reliable and around $200. You can get it with the conversion cylinder and practice with .22lr. They do not have a rear sight and are hard to get used to at first, but they can be decent accurate at 7 yards. One tip I read on the NAA forum is to put you weak hand thumb on the backstrap to make the grip larger.

ETA: They are much smaller than the LCP. And you can find ammo. And practice bulk pack ammo is pennies a round.

 

[surjimmy]

Most people say they would never carry a 22, and I agree to some degree. However I don't know of anyone that 5 shots from a 22 mag won't change their mind on what they were going to do. Wish I still had this video of a 22 mag turning a cement center block into dust. JMHO.

 

[glockdriver]

22/22mag

As far as I know AMT makes the only 22mag autoloader on the market. I've had 2 NAA Black Widows with both cyclinders 22 and 22 mag , I also have their .32 Guardian (a Seecamp clone).
When I'm wearing sweats the NAA stuff is easy to stick into a pockiet Otherwise my Glock 27 is my primary ccw weapon

 

[RoostRider]

I'm not going to comment on a .22 aside from saying- if you're content with a .22 you should be content with only a couple of shots too (you seem pretty confident about your selection).... in which case, what beats a little derringer for concealability?

 

[ravonaf]

Where are the .22 pocket pistols that have a size advantage over an LCP or Keltec again? I'm still waiting for a real reason to go with a .22 over one of the smaller centerfires.

How about we forget the size advantage and talk about the ammo advantage. I bought a Bersa 380 for conceal carry a month ago and all I get out of it "click click click" as I dry fire it. I can't find a single round either online or any place local. I could have put hundreds of rounds through a 22 pocket carry gun by now. Instead I have what amounts to a rock.

 

[Gryffydd]

I could have put hundreds of rounds through a 22 pocket carry gun by now. Instead I have what amounts to a rock.

I don't know about where you are, but here .22 ammo is as hard to find as .380. Choosing a gun with an underperforming round for self defense based on a short term ammo shortage isn't a great long term strategy. And let's not forget all the .380 owners out there that reload or kept a safety stock before this whole mess came around...they're fine.

 

[ravonaf]

don't know about where you are, but here .22 ammo is as hard to find as .380.

I'm still able to find .22 ammo around. I bought 2 boxes of Federal bulk from Walmart over the weekend. Short or long term shortage it doesn't really matter. A 22 for self defense with ammo is better than any other caliber if the gun is empty. Right now my Bersa is useless. We can't even argue reloads either because in some areas primers are just as hard to find.

 

[outerlimit]

and these are in a caliber at least marginally adequate for self-defense

For me, shooting a gun well is more important than caliber. Against an armed thug I think I would rather have a Ruger MK(#) .22lr than a typical pocket .380/9mm. Of course concealing a full sized gun all of the time is a lot less practical than a smaller one.

I bought 2 boxes of Federal bulk from Walmart over the weekend.

Bought a box myself, horrible stuff it is.. I only fired about ten or twenty rounds, but came back from the rifle range last week with hands covered in lead from loading the crappy stuff into 10/22 mags.

I would never have bought it, if I had known it wasn't copper washed/jacketed bullets.

I don't want to gum my magazine loading tray up with lead either.

 

[ravonaf]

Bought a box myself, horrible stuff it is.. I only fired about ten or twenty rounds, but came back from the rifle range last week with hands covered in lead from loading the crappy stuff into 10/22 mags.

Thanks for the warning. I'm glad I didn't buy the 6 box limit. This is the first time I've seen the white box Federal stuff so I thought I would give it a try. I've fired the brown box stuff with my Buckmark with good results.



About the 22 carry debate. If ammo was plentiful I would much rather carry a 380 than a 22. I'm just saying ammo availability and ease of training should be taken into some consideration on this subject.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Walther TPH if you can find one.