The Combat .22 Semi-Auto

[commygun]

OK, that title is a little melodramatic and a little absurd, but it struck me the other day that I probably have more rounds of .22lr than all of my centerfire rounds put together, so push comes to shove, why not have a compact semi-auto pistol that could utilize those rimfires if necessary.

So, any strong recommendations? Something compact (but not micro-compact) and as reliable as a semi-auto rimfire can be. Not a target pistol like a Ruger Mk- or a Buckmark. More like a SR22 or an M&P 22. I'm in WA so the high capacity Kel-Tecs and Tauri are pretty much off the table.

 

[westernrover]

The 22LR could be legit from a rifle barrel, but from pistols, it just falls too far short of what I would expect. There has been for a long time plenty of fans of the 10/22 because of the inexpensive ammo, the all-purpose cartridge (from squirrels to deer and even men), and the low weight and size of 1000 rounds.

When I briefly considered a rimfire pistol as an "extra" or "spare," I liked the Walther PPK. There are more obvious choices like the Glock, S&W, and more than one Ruger. I'm not a fan of the Walther in 380 or 32 but the rimfire version seems like a better value and pretty cool. The thing that turned me off was the terminal ballistics of 22LR from a pistol barrel. It looks like too much of a liability when it's not much harder to carry 380, 9, 38, or even 357 or 45.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I think everyone should have a .22 handgun, even if the ballistics aren't ideal. As you say, at some point it may be the only ammo you have left.

That said, it should be a revolver. Rimfire primers are notoriously fragile when left in a hot environment and subjected to vibration over time, .22s are more vulnerable to humidity than centerfires, and standard velocity rounds don't always cycle an auto.

With a revolver, even if you get a dud its no big deal, you just keep shooting and they will eat any ammo you can cram in the cylinder regardless of velocity or bullet shape. Ideally such an "emergency" backup gun should be DA and hold 8-10 shots. The SP101, LCR Colt King Cobra, S&W 317, and 617 come to mind, but on a budget even the Ruger Wrangler could be pressed into such service in a pinch.

I've had just about every .22 auto under the sun at some point and they all jammed way too much for comfort as a defensive arm.

 

[Great Scot]

I don’t want to start the caliber wars, but you could do worse than a Beretta 71 or 87. Open slide design helps with reliability, and a full grip promotes better shooting. Loaded with CCI mini mags, the Beretta should go bang…just really fast due to no recoil.

 

[commygun]

Not at all a question about the efficacy of the .22. More about which defensive-type .22 semi-auto pistol has been a good runner for you.

 

[Rodfac]

I'm not an aficionado of a .22 LR defense gun but....You could do a lot worse than a S&W M&P Compact .22 if for no other reason than its reliability. Mine has been very close to 100% since I bought it. Were it blessed with a no-creep, clean break trigger, it would be darned near perfect IMHO. It wasn't...and I use a healthy dollop of GI weapons grease on the internals to improve it.

Accuracy from a field unsupported position runs a little more than an inch at 10 yds with Mini-Mag...good enough for plinking and then some.

I also own a 4.5" bbl'd Woodsman, a Mkll Ruger Standard, as well as a M-41 Smith, but find the M&P Compact's light (15 oz.) belt weight a delight for carry....and strangely, though light, it shoots with little add'l wobble. In a single phrase, it's a wonderful plinker with most any bulk ammo, but, like all the others, Mini-Mags work the best. It's my 'go have some fun' busting walnut husks in our side meadow, gun.

Lastly, of my .22 autos, If I had to bet the farm on it firing and feeding all ten in the mag....OR ELSE!...it'd be my #1 choice...and that's a recommendation, folks! Best Regards, Rod Here it is with the OWB holster I made up for our meadow/woods walks.

​

 

[Shawn Dodson]

I have an S&W 43C lightweight 8-shot .22 LR revolver that weighs next to nothing. I installed a Desantis Clip Grip on it and it carries very comfortably in the right front pocket of my Levi's, with it clipped to the pocket's top seam. It carries perfectly there and is easily concealed by an untucked shirt.

That said, since you're looking for a semiauto then you might consider the 10+1 Ruger LCP .22 LR. It has a manual safety and a magazine disconnect.

 

[Thomas Mayberry]

Here's another vote for the S&W M&P 22 compact. I've had mine for almost three years and it's chewed through a mixed bag of ammo without a single failure. My only criticism is that the trigger was gritty when new but has smoothed up with use.

 

[westernrover]

I'm going to go with post #3 and agree a revolver is a better bet for rimfire. I have a single six from the 1950's and it's never had a jam or misfire in my experience. I'd like for a 617 to work as well, but have no experience with that model -- other late-model S&W's make me doubt it would be dependable. Probably better off with a GP100, SP101 or Single Ten.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

You mean like a 5.7 pistol?

 

[sigarms228]

I like my M&P 22 Compact as it has been very reliable but a bit on the small side for me and the trigger is OK but not great.

I have really been thinking about the Glock 44 which is same exact size as Glock 19. Initial problems with the Glock 44 was resolved not that long after it' s release with a change in the extractor. I also like that the part of the slide that rides on the steel frame tabs is also steel so the Glock 44 should be very durable for the long run and I am reading a lot from happy owners of the Glock 44. Accuracy is supposed to be excellent too for that style pistol though not comparable to a Buckmark or Ruger Mark series. it also fits Glock 19 holsters.

Check out all the positive reviews of the Glock 44 at Buds. 4.8 out of 5 with 143 reviews!

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[9mmepiphany]

Not a target pistol like a Ruger Mk- or a Buckmark. More like a SR22 or an M&P 22.

I wouldn't consider the Ruger Mark series or the Buckmark target pistols....I've always considered themed more as regular everyday 22 pistols. Of the two, the Ruger 5.5" Bull Barrel has a better street record...but it takes a lot of training with near perfect shot placement for a stop

The SR22 and M&P 22 are fun pistols and If I had to choose between the two I'd go with the SR22...but I've only put a couple of hundred rounds through a couple of different ones

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I'm in WA so the high capacity Kel-Tecs and Tauri are pretty much off the table.

Bide your time; the Supreme Court is going to solve that problem for you in the next year.

 

[lemaymiami]

I'd consider a small 22 auto as a backup/hideout gun if needed or desired... My first choice would be one of the old Beretta autos with the tip- up barrel... I had one in 25cal years and years ago -but at that time didn't see the need so I sold it and have regretted it since over the years... (sorry I have no info on the correct model...).

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

My advice with rimfire is go revolver.

The occasional FTF with rimfire priming is a fact of life. Not a problem when shooting on the range or small game hunting, but you're talking defensive use. With a revolver, when there's a dud primer you can just keep pulling the trigger.

 

[Joshua M. Smith]

My only concern with a rimfire defensive anything is reliability.

I've considered finding a 10/22 Magnum as a light defensive-use firearm, except for that.

 

[Coyote3855]

It's not compact but light, 30 rounds of .22 WRM. I carry it around the property and in the woods or while fishing. Kel Tec PMR 30.

 

[dweis]

I can put a 22 LR in the center f a 6 inch plate at 25 feet better than Indio so with a 9mm a 22 in the face is better than a 45 in the arm. I do not carry a 22 because of its lack of penetration, and you just count on making a head shop under duress. But if I were to carry a 22 it would be a Ruger SR 22.

 

[Armored farmer]

The ruger Mk series or Browning Buckmark with a rds is pretty good medicine for small game and pests. I think a setup like that might be your best bet for 22 caliber defensive handgun.
I like my GSG 1911-22 also.

Quality ammo like CCI is not likely to fail....but like any auto....be prepared to clear it if it does.

 

[bannockburn]

If you can find one, along with some spare magazines, I would recommend a Beretta Model 70S. This all steel gun has seen constant use, both at the range and out in the field, ever since I got it well over 40 years ago. Only thing done to it was to have it hard chrome plated by Ron Mahovsky at Mahovsky's Metalife.

My Beretta has been one of the most reliable, durable, and easy to shoot .22s that I have ever used.

 

[Show Me]

Too many duds from my federal match hunting stock pile. Thought it was the best. At least with a revolver you just pull the trigger again

 

[doubleh]

I have owned a SR22 for a lot of years. The little thing is reliable as an anvil with HV ammo, HP or solid, as long as the ammo is good. I have shot a lot of CCI HV with it and can't remember ever having a dud round. Other cheaper brands have not been as good in the dud department. It does have double strike capability but I have found that seldom makes a dud 22 round fire. It IS easy to rack so it would not be out of action but for a second or two. I wouldn't choose it as a defensive gun but would certainly use it if it was the only option I had when needed.

On another note it has been my semi-auto introduction gun teaching 4 GG kids and the 5th will have her start with it next year.

 

[theotherwaldo]

Yeah, I wouldn't want to rely on any rimfire semi-auto.
The closest that I would go is a nine-shot top break like my old H&R 999.

(Stock photo,)

 

[Terry G]

I think a S&W .22 Compact or SR22 would fill your needs. I have both and I would have a tough time picking one over the other. Truth is I would prefer a Taurus TX22 or a Sig P322, but magazine capacity would not permit that in your case.

 

[chicharrones]

OK, that title is a little melodramatic and a little absurd, but it struck me the other day that I probably have more rounds of .22lr than all of my centerfire rounds put together, so push comes to shove, why not have a compact semi-auto pistol that could utilize those rimfires if necessary.

So, any strong recommendations? Something compact (but not micro-compact) and as reliable as a semi-auto rimfire can be. Not a target pistol like a Ruger Mk- or a Buckmark. More like a SR22 or an M&P 22. I'm in WA so the high capacity Kel-Tecs and Tauri are pretty much off the table.

Soooo . . . I'm going to say that as long as you want a rimfire pistol to emulate a "defense" type centerfire arm for fun, practice, collecting, etc. . . . go for it.

Besides some revolvers, the only rimfire "defense" type compact pistol I have is a Bersa Firestorm in .22 LR. It emulates a Walther PPK, and others of the genre, not to mention the Bersa .380 itself. It's a mighty fun gun for blasting away .22 LR ammo.

This doesn't count my wore out Beretta Bobcat in .22 LR, but the Bersa actually can fill the role of a plinker and "kit gun" where the Bobcat could only dream of it.