Would you CC a .22?

[clem]

ZOMBIES!

 

[Skyshot]

Forgive my penmanship, I think most people know the point I was trying to make. But thank you for your condescending observation! MedWheeler

 

[skoro]

I wouldn't unless there was no other option. If it was all I had available, it would definitely be better than nothing.

 

[gofastman]

Kel-tec PMR-30 with hornady defense ammo. 30 rounds!!!

Although that looks like a nice weapon, if one were to carry a rimfire pistol for self defence, I would highly recommend a revolver, If you have a dud primer you just pull the trigger again.

 

[JFrame]

No, I would not CC a .22, for these reasons:

1. Reliability -- I have had plenty of misfires with .22 RF ammo.

2. Stopping power. Handguns are marginal anyway, and there is no point in picking such a small cartridge.

3. There are many, many better options.

On point #1, I would agree in principle, but in practical application, I don't recall that I've ever had a quality round not fire in an otherwise reliable revolver. And quality rounds are likely what one would defensively carry, regardless of the cartridge.

I agree that .22 would not be the first choice -- but depending on personal needs, impairment, budget, etc., it would serve its purpose.

 

[okespe04]

Carrying a .22 would make you an armed citizen capable of using deadly force via a firearm if absolutely necessary.

.22 would not be my first choice.

 

[frank c]

I have two .22's. One is a Taurus 941 magnum revolver, the other is a ISSC M22 lr that I just got today. I'm not really comfortable with any other firearm we have at this point. (C9 Hi-Point, and my husband's .40 Walther P99). We have open-carry here, as well as CC without permit.

I know alot of you here may say I should never CC a .22, magnum or lr, however, it is what I am comfortable with right now. I want to work my way up to the C9, but that will never be a practical CC because it's way to heavy and bulky.

So, I would like to know how many of you CC or open-carry a .22? Should I carry the magnum and leave the lr for practice? Could the lr ever be effective in a defensive situation?

Thanks for your responses,
WoB

I CC my smith & wesson 351C 22 mag.(airlight)7 rounds(hornady 30 gr.V-max & 40 grain CCI ammo) and around 11oz makes this a great carry bug/mouse gun.It would not be my first choice in a gunfight and that is why I carry my Kahr PM9 and S&W 3914TSW most of the time.

 

[WifeofBleys]

While I appreciate everyone's responses, I would like to redirect everyone back to my original post in this thread. I am comfortable with a .22 right now. I am new to shooting. For a long time, I wanted nothing to do with guns....until I shot something I was comfortable with (my Taurus .22 magnum). Now, all I want to do is go shooting so I can get more familiar with it. I think carrying a .22 (mag or the lr I just got) would be better than a stick or knife as that implies really close contact with an assailant. The .22 might not be everyone's first choice, but it is what I am comfortable with at this point. Of course, I don't look to carrying a .22 forever. I am going to get more accustomed with a higher caliber firearm and would ultimately move to that as my carry firearm. Right now, though, the .22 works for me. And I rarely go anywhere without my husband and he always carries his Walther .40 P99.

 

[Mightee1]

If the .22 LR or WMR is the round you are most comfortable and proficient with, carry it. There are better defensive calibers, but if you are unfamiliar with the guns that shoot them (or they are unavailable), use what you can. ANY gun is better than no gun if you ever find yourself in a situation where it is needed.

 

[PT92]

WifeofBleys--To me, you answered your own question....?

-Cheers

 

[gbw]

I would, and have.

With a gun you are armed, regardless of caliber. You have the option to shoot or not shoot. Without it you are helpless and without option.

The odds are very very high you'll never ever need a gun. [Unless you are foolish. In that case do not carry a gun.]

If you do need it, odds are good the gun will be enough - no one wants to get shot and you won't need to shoot it. Regardless of caliber.

In the unlikely, rare case when you must shoot it, placement counts far more than caliber.

My view is that, for a sensible civilian, cases where caliber makes any real difference are too rare to consider.

Life is risk. Learn the rules. Learn to shoot your .22 well.

 

[GLOOB]

Sure, I'd CC a .22. Afterall, some days I carry nothing at all, and I don't feel under-armed.

 

[glockdriver]

it happens

a couple of years back there was a news story about an elderly gentleman down around Salem who was accosted by 2 street thugs trying to get his wallet. His primary CCW was under his heavy winter coat so he had to use 5 shots from the NAA revolver in his coat pocket . One BG wounded and down and I think the other is still running. Police and DA called it justified and jailed the BG after he got out of the hospital

 

[danez71]

Getting back to the OP's questions.

So, I would like to know how many of you CC or open-carry a .22? Should I carry the magnum and leave the lr for practice? Could the lr ever be effective in a defensive situation?

I have CC'd a 22lr in the past and will again if I decide to.

All things being equal (although, rarely are) the 22mag is just that much better so, "sure, carry the 22 mag if you're ok with it".

While not ideal (nothing is really ideal, is it?), yes, the 22lr could be effective in a defensive situation.

Some may say the 22 lr is ineffective but many people have died from accidentily being shot by a 22lr. Hopefully, you'll be aiming if your using it defensivly there by increasing the odds.

You just have to choose whats best for you. Everything has tradeoffs.

 

[hiker44]

In the absence of any other preferable concealable handgun, I most certainly would carry a .22. Any gun is better than a cell phone when you need to repel an attacker.

 

[frankenstein406]

Don't 22s usually "shatter" and fragment everywhere? So I would think you might not die right away but soon. Xrays look crazy when they fragment but heck its all about shot placement.

 

[winchester '97]

In a small gun for summer carry or as a backup maybe, I would say just go and get a .25 auto baby browning clone for a really tiny ccw piece.

 

[dnuggett]

While I appreciate everyone's responses, I would like to redirect everyone back to my original post in this thread. I am comfortable with a .22 right now. I am new to shooting. For a long time, I wanted nothing to do with guns....until I shot something I was comfortable with (my Taurus .22 magnum). Now, all I want to do is go shooting so I can get more familiar with it. I think carrying a .22 (mag or the lr I just got) would be better than a stick or knife as that implies really close contact with an assailant. The .22 might not be everyone's first choice, but it is what I am comfortable with at this point. Of course, I don't look to carrying a .22 forever. I am going to get more accustomed with a higher caliber firearm and would ultimately move to that as my carry firearm. Right now, though, the .22 works for me. And I rarely go anywhere without my husband and he always carries his Walther .40 P99.

Then why ask if WE would carry a .22 if YOU are only going to go by what YOU are comfortable with.

I personally will not carry anything less than a 9mm.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I would prefer something larger but I trust in my ability to make the shots count. I may be talking big because after all I've never been in a gun battle but self confidence goes along way.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Then why ask if WE would carry a .22 if YOU are only going to go by what YOU are comfortable with.

I personally will not carry anything less than a 9mm.

I think it's reasonable to assume that when people ask a question, they want an answer. But reason doesn't seem to apply in questions like this.

Nevertheless, if someone asks me if he should CCW a .22, my answer is always, "No. There are many better choices."

Of course, that answer always provokes a description of highly-improbable circumstances where a .22 is the only choice.

 

[easyg]

Don't 22s usually "shatter" and fragment everywhere?

No, they don't.

I've X-rayed quite a few folks who had been shot with a .22 (all still alive, including a 5 year old boy who's brother shot him in the face) and I've never seen a fragmented .22 bullet inside a person.

 

[Ben86]

Could the lr ever be effective in a defensive situation?

It COULD, but not nearly as likely as a larger caliber. You'll learn that there are no absolutes when it comes to stopping power.

The .22 might not be everyone's first choice, but it is what I am comfortable with at this point.

It is important that you use what YOU are actually capable with. But, I suggest becoming comfortable with something more substantial soon. There are so many great compact 9mms out there that are great for CC and easy to shoot, that would be the first place I'd recommend looking.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have in the past and would again carry a 22.

 

[BADUNAME37]

Absolutely.
Sometimes I am forced to carry a pepper spray blaster by Kimber.

I would choose a .22 over pepper spray.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I used to carry a Taurus PT-22 for a bit, especially for BUG. But of course the BUG ends up being primary now and then. When I got the KT P32, the Taurus went in the safe and is now just a "fun" gun. I shot Rem Yellow Jackets out of it exclusively. I have no problem with people that carry .22s, as the first rule of a gunfight is have a gun.