.22LR as CCW

OzarksMagic · April 14th, 2008, 12:31 PM

I know many will disagree, I may be wrong too. I own a .38 snub and a .22LR Beretta. I often carry the seven shot +1 .22 with one spare mag. It is so small and light, it really disappears. I don't feel underarmed with the .22. With 15 .22 stingers, I can't imagine not taking care of business with up to three BG's. Am I delusional? i only carry .22 around my own hood. If I think it may be needed, i switch to .38. I am comfortable with my .22 and can shoot the eyesocket at 5 yards, not moving, of course. So, a,m I kidding myself? Or is the .22LR an okay "light duty" weapon?

Kerbouchard · April 14th, 2008, 12:39 PM

I've been shot with a .22 and while it didn't feel good, I was still able to jog over half a mile to my house and get a ride to the hospital. I'll tell the story of how that happened some other time, but after that, I would not feel comfortable carrying a .22 for self defense.

But, if it's the only thing you have, the only think you will consistently carry, or it's the only thing you can shoot accurately with, then, well, it's better than nothing.

They do say that the majority of the times a gun is used for defense it is not fired and that the mere presence of a gun is enough to deter most BG's...

I don't condone a .22 for carry, but like I said, it's better than nothing...

Just remember that shot placement becomes much more important.

Cupcake · April 14th, 2008, 12:40 PM

You will be called delusional here by someone, I'm sure. Not me, although I think the up to 3 bg part might be a stretch. The effectiveness of the .22 comes in numbers. I've noticed that I can put 10 .22 rounds on target in a fraction of the time that I could with my 9mm. It's still not my caliber of choice, but I do have some new respect for the round. The possible legal problem is that the prosecuter and the scumbags civil attorney will most certainly point out that you shot the guy 10 times, as opposed to once or twice with a "real" caliber. The sheeple will probably buy it.

WoodLark · April 14th, 2008, 12:45 PM

It's better than throwing spitballs, but you'd better be a darned good shot. Also, if the BG is wearing heavy clothes, you may be up creek without paddle unless you manage to hit the eye socket!

pgrass101 · April 14th, 2008, 12:55 PM

I would not laugh at a .22lr but I would choose any centerfire pistol cartidge over a rimfire from a realibility standpoint.

JimmyC4 · April 14th, 2008, 01:21 PM

Rather than carrying a .22LR for self-defense, I think you'd be better off not carrying it to reduce the weight you're toting so you can run faster....

Seriously, the goal in self-defense is to stop the threat before you're dispatched, and with that in mind, I'd highly encourage you to consider something that will do so much quicker than will a .22LR. My opinion is .38 Special as a minimum.

Rimfire is the "kiddy menu" of self-defense--carry that snub or get a sub-compact semi with heftier ballistics.

Good luck.

Cakewalk · April 14th, 2008, 01:23 PM

The problem with any rimfire is its reliability. By its very nature a rimfire cartridge has a greater chance of a misfire than a centerfire. Whether or not a .22LR will do the job.... well, there are much better alternatives, but I wouldn't even want the barrel of a .22 pistol pointed at me, much less be shot by one.

David in FL · April 14th, 2008, 01:28 PM

Well, a .22 in the pocket is better than a .45 at home any day......

.....but you can find more powerful, centerfire alternatives in the same size/weight package as your Beretta if you're so inclined.

SIXTO · April 14th, 2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OzarksMagic

So, a,m I kidding myself?

Yeah, you are a little bit. Sure a .22 might do the trick...but why take that gamble? There are plenty of better choices that require a gun no bigger or heavier than your tomcat.

DistantHorizon · April 14th, 2008, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

Sure a .22 might do the trick...but why take that gamble? There are plenty of better choices that require a gun no bigger or heavier than your tomcat.

Exactly!!!

April 14th, 2008, 12:31 PM	#1
OzarksMagic Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Springfield, Mo area Posts: 56	.22LR as CCW I know many will disagree, I may be wrong too. I own a .38 snub and a .22LR Beretta. I often carry the seven shot +1 .22 with one spare mag. It is so small and light, it really disappears. I don't feel underarmed with the .22. With 15 .22 stingers, I can't imagine not taking care of business with up to three BG's. Am I delusional? i only carry .22 around my own hood. If I think it may be needed, i switch to .38. I am comfortable with my .22 and can shoot the eyesocket at 5 yards, not moving, of course. So, a,m I kidding myself? Or is the .22LR an okay "light duty" weapon? __________________ Taurus 85 Ultralite Keltec P-32 Grey Beretta 21A BobCat

April 14th, 2008, 12:39 PM	#2
Kerbouchard VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,532	I've been shot with a .22 and while it didn't feel good, I was still able to jog over half a mile to my house and get a ride to the hospital. I'll tell the story of how that happened some other time, but after that, I would not feel comfortable carrying a .22 for self defense. But, if it's the only thing you have, the only think you will consistently carry, or it's the only thing you can shoot accurately with, then, well, it's better than nothing. They do say that the majority of the times a gun is used for defense it is not fired and that the mere presence of a gun is enough to deter most BG's... I don't condone a .22 for carry, but like I said, it's better than nothing... Just remember that shot placement becomes much more important. __________________ Money can be lost or stolen, health and strength may fail, but what you have committed to your mind is yours forever. http://miscmusings.townhall.com/ Who is John Galt?

April 14th, 2008, 12:40 PM	#3
Cupcake VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,664	You will be called delusional here by someone, I'm sure. Not me, although I think the up to 3 bg part might be a stretch. The effectiveness of the .22 comes in numbers. I've noticed that I can put 10 .22 rounds on target in a fraction of the time that I could with my 9mm. It's still not my caliber of choice, but I do have some new respect for the round. The possible legal problem is that the prosecuter and the scumbags civil attorney will most certainly point out that you shot the guy 10 times, as opposed to once or twice with a "real" caliber. The sheeple will probably buy it. __________________ Stupidity is not a crime...so you are free to go.

April 14th, 2008, 12:45 PM	#4
WoodLark Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 148	It's better than throwing spitballs, but you'd better be a darned good shot. Also, if the BG is wearing heavy clothes, you may be up creek without paddle unless you manage to hit the eye socket! __________________ Earth is the insane asylum of the universe!

April 14th, 2008, 12:55 PM	#5
pgrass101 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 6,105	I would not laugh at a .22lr but I would choose any centerfire pistol cartidge over a rimfire from a realibility standpoint. __________________ Noli nothis permittere te terere

April 14th, 2008, 01:21 PM	#6
JimmyC4 Distinguished Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Minnesnowta Posts: 1,399	Rather than carrying a .22LR for self-defense, I think you'd be better off not carrying it to reduce the weight you're toting so you can run faster.... Seriously, the goal in self-defense is to stop the threat before you're dispatched, and with that in mind, I'd highly encourage you to consider something that will do so much quicker than will a .22LR. My opinion is .38 Special as a minimum. Rimfire is the "kiddy menu" of self-defense--carry that snub or get a sub-compact semi with heftier ballistics. Good luck. __________________ ATTENTION VIETNAM VETS--For a list of diseases that Veterans Affairs (VA) considers presumptive to Agent Orange exposure, go to http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefit...cide/index.htm

April 14th, 2008, 01:23 PM	#7
Cakewalk Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 269	The problem with any rimfire is its reliability. By its very nature a rimfire cartridge has a greater chance of a misfire than a centerfire. Whether or not a .22LR will do the job.... well, there are much better alternatives, but I wouldn't even want the barrel of a .22 pistol pointed at me, much less be shot by one.

April 14th, 2008, 01:28 PM	#8
David in FL Distinguished Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central Florida Posts: 1,719	Well, a .22 in the pocket is better than a .45 at home any day...... .....but you can find more powerful, centerfire alternatives in the same size/weight package as your Beretta if you're so inclined.

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