Defensive gun use stories featuring .22’s are popping up more and more these days, so we’re breaking down the ins and outs of using the .22 for self-defense!
In late 2019 into 2020, there seems to be a rekindled love in the industry for firearms chambered in .22. Glock released the Glock 44 in .22 LR, Kel-Tec released the CP33 and P17, Taurus has the TX-22, Kriss released a .22 LR rifle, Ruger released an LCP in .22LR, and the list goes on.
This has brought a lot of attention to the classic rimfire round. Although far from a traditional defensive round, it has played the leading role in many successful defensive gun use scenarios, begging the question of whether or not the .22 LR should be used as a defensive round?
Let’s break down the ins and outs of using the .22 caliber as a self-defense round.
Why?
Some of you may be asking why anyone would ever want to use this caliber as a self-defense round. There are plenty of other rounds out there that are affordable, capable, and accessible for self-defense. The main reason someone would choose it is for the low recoil. While rare, many people lack the strength to effectively handle even a .380 ACP. Concealed carriers owe it to themselves to be as well-armed as physically possible and while most are able to carry a caliber more substantial than .22 LR, some simply can’t.
The Advantages
Ammunition in this caliber is super cheap, so you can get in a lot of training for very little money – which is good because you’ll need to be well-skilled if you’re using it for self-defense. While you should practice proper shot placement with every caliber, with .22 LR, you already behind the power curve.
In addition, firearms chambered in this caliber have hardly any recoil. Even when fired from the smallest guns on the market, the .22 LR is seriously easy to control. Since this caliber is easy to handle, it also makes getting quick, accurate follow-up shots easier, too. Having a gun that’s easy to shoot effectively can be a huge deal, especially for a new shooter.
…and the Disadvantages
The most significant disadvantage of .22LR for self-defense is the rimfire system. Rimfire rounds tend to be less reliable than centerfire rounds. A round failing to ignite can be a significant issue.
The second issue that most .22 LR fails to expand when they strike a soft target and can have penetration issues. You’ll need premium grade ammo for defensive purposes for your .22 LR.
What About .22 Magnum?
This is a great question since the .22 Magnum is substantially more potent than .22 LR and is a much better self-defense round. Companies like Speer make self-defense .22 Magnum loads that excel in ballistic tests. The only downside of .22 Magnum ammo is ammo cost and occasional availability compared to .22 LR. 22 Magnum has a little more recoil and snap, but hardly. This is the best rimfire route to take for self-defense. It still has the reliability issues of rimfire ammo, but it’s a significant step up from .22 LR.
Carrying a .22 For Self-Defense
If you have to carry a .22 for self-defense, you might as well do it right. Due to reliability issues with rimfire ammo, I’d take a revolver. Should a round fail to ignite, it’s simpler and much quicker to pull the trigger again with a revolver. An automatic handgun would require you to stop and correct the misfire by manually ejecting the round.
The revolver should have an exposed hammer. If you are shooting a rimfire revolver because of hand strength issues, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to work the heavy 13+ pound triggers on a double-action revolver with any accuracy. If that’s the case, the exposed hammer allows you to cock the gun into a single-mode for a much lighter trigger pull. As previously mentioned, .22 Magnum would be a better choice than .22 LR.
Guns like the Ruger LCRx have an exposed hammer and offer you up to 8 rounds of .22 LR or six rounds of .22 Magnum with an exposed hammer if you have the hand strength to manipulate a heavy trigger but cannot handle the recoil of a rimfire round you’ll be well served with either the traditional LCR or LCRx.
The S&W 317 kit gun gives you eight rounds of .22 LR in a medium-sized platform. The longer 3-inch barrel would give you a bit more velocity from the already ballistically challenged round.
The ultimate .22 carry gun would be the 351 PD in .22 Magnum. It is a snub nose gun with an exposed hammer and a 7 round capacity. It weighs only 11 ounces and comes with Hi-Viz fiber optic orange front sight.
Ammo Options
For .22 LR, the CCI Stinger has proven to be a solid performer. It can penetrate through a layer of denim and go over 13 inches into a block of ballistic gel. CCI ammo is high-quality ammunition, and it’s proven to be more reliable than your standard bulk pack ammunition.
For .22 Magnums, the aforementioned Speer Gold Dot ammo has proven to be a good performer. The round is designed for use in short barrels and is a great companion for the 351 PD.
Concealed Carry
The good news is these revolvers are typically built on established frames. Outside of the 317 Kit Gun, the Ruger LCRx models and the 351PD will fit in holsters made for their 38 Special brothers.
Personal Decision
It’s a tough decision to make, but if you go rimfire for self-defense, you can approach it by educating yourself on the pros and cons of rimfire guns for self-defense. That being said, ultimately – it’s a personal decision everyone needs to make for themselves.
Does a rimfire fit into your personal protection plan? Why or why not? Sound off in the comments below, we want to hear from you!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine gunner who served with 2nd Bn 2nd Marines for 5 years. He deployed in 2009 to Afghanistan and again in 2011 with the 22nd MEU(SOC) during a record-setting 11 months at sea. Travis has trained with the Romanian Army, the Spanish Marines, the Emirate Marines, and the Afghan National Army.
He serves as an NRA certified pistol instructor and pursues a variety of firearms based hobbies.
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My only comment would be that if I had to use one I would use the CCI ammo and if fired in my auto I would still be able to hear after firing and place several shots in the perp (small arms instructor for approximately 15 years)USAF MSgt Ret.
What are your thoughts about segmented 22lr ammo? They are designed to separate increasing damage.
I have owned a cross breed iwb for almost 2 years and I love it.
One only needs to watch the video of president Regan assassination attempt. 5 shots from a little short barrel .22, and president Regan was shoved into the limo and taken to the hospital with life threatening injury from a ricochet, 3 big men down. Brady suffered permanent brain damage. I think anyone watching that may want to think again about this round being a fight stopper in a situation where all you want is to stop the threat. If what is seen there is any indication it is far far better than harsh words. Out of the 4 people hit with the 5 shots fired, all were down. Best choice? Likely not. But keeping it in perspective, and with the sole purpose of self defense, instead of apprehending bad guys for a living, don’t underestimate the .22 lr or the 32 acp. The internet tends to be an echo chamber of popular thought, not of critical thinking. 90 something percent of the time the mere presence of a firearm ends it without a need to fire. So in those cases a realistic water pistol, bb or pellet gun, etc. Is just as effective. If lead has to be loosed for selft defense, it usually ends it quickly regardless of caliber. Carry what ya got, or what makes you happy and don’t worry about the popular opinion.
I am late to the party, but great comment. Thing is, with a .22 you are maybe less likely to win a gunfight, but that’s also the extreme self-defense situation, anyway, and one that one would avoid if at all possible. I’m not sure a .22 would be my weapon of choice, but that is just me – if really depends on a lot of factors with the shooter.
My concern with .357 Magnum (or equivalent) is the distance a stray round could travel. I’d like to avoid hitting an unintended target after passing through several layers of drywall. I would assume a 22LR would lose most of it’s energy after one or two layers of drywall. Comments?
That’s my thoughts exactly especially for home defense!
22 Plinkster did a video using 2 different 22 cartridges. One went through 9 sheets of drywall. The other went through 10. So do not expect your walls to help much unless you are lucky enough to hit a stud.
You forgot one OTHER big argument in favor of the .22 for self-defense… firearm size. You can carry a little NAA mini-revolver at times when you may be unable to conceal about any OTHER firearm!
The 32 ACP Beretta Tomcat with tip-up barrel and the Rem 380 are both smaller than most 22’s, especially 22 revolvers.
Was an LRRP Team Leader with 173rd ABN 66-67 and competed IPSC and UDOA for a number of years
No sidearm will reliably stop a determined attacker. They may die within a short time but will damage you first.
Very few police engagements have had such attackers e.g Miami shootout. No one wants to get hurt over a purse grab
Singapore Police reported several years ago that putting Crimson Trace dot on chest of assailant was 100% effective in defusing situation and no shots were fired
A .22 LR or .22 Mag such as Ruger SLR is an excellent choice for older men and women. A Crimson Trace or similar designator is strongly recommended both for “intimidation” and because many elderly cannot accommodate focusing on sight and target
Was an LRRP Team Leader with 173rd ABN 66-67 and competed IPSC and IDPA for a number of years
No sidearm will reliably stop a determined attacker. They may die within a short time but will damage you first.
Very few police engagements have had such attackers e.g Miami shootout. No one wants to get hurt over a purse grab
Singapore Police reported several years ago that putting Crimson Trace dot on chest of assailant was 100% effective in defusing situation and no shots were fired
A .22 LR or .22 Mag such as Ruger SLR is an excellent choice for older men and women. A Crimson Trace or similar designator is strongly recommended both for “intimidation” and because many elderly cannot accommodate focusing on sight and target
That said, I like the Ruger SP101 in .357 with 158 grain since it is the same bullet weight that works well with Marlin 94 in same caliber
While I have several decades of handgun experience, not so for my wife. A .38 5 shot snub resides in her nightstand, and she qualified for her CWP, but she doesn’t like recoil and still wants to stay with revolvers. I think we have found a good compromise. Taurus has a new line of revolvers in 22LR. I bought her one and we both like to shoot it. It’s an 8 round snubby about the same size and ergonomics of her 38 Special. She practices with bulk ammo, and keeps it loaded with CCI Stinger. Now she is more enthusiastic about carrying and target practice both. We feel she could defend herself in a pinch. If a crisis happens in the home she will likely grab the 38 from her nightstand, and the 22LR is there for backup if needed. I carry a Nine, but she won’t touch an autoloader. We think we have found a good use for the 22LR. I would hate like hell to get shot with a 22 Stinger, and I think a bad guy would agree.
We have a taurus 942 ultralite in .22wmr on backorder…my missus currently carries a 856, but would consider the taurus, as the recoil is so much lighter…8 rds of anything is nothing to sneeze at, and that why we passed on the ruger (6 shots) and s&w (7 shots)…she simply trusts revolvers, period…
I dont want intruders brains and blood in my house.
.22 lr or mag. Gives em time to die outside or at home.
If they have time to “die outside or at home”, they ALSO have MORE THAN ENOUGH TIME TO KILL YOU! NOT what you want! Use the MOST POWERFUL handgun you can handle reasonably! And make sure the perp is DEAD! I have seen TOO MANY VIDEOS where the perp took one round center of mass and got up to kill his attacker! DO NOT rely on the myth of the “one shot kill”! Too.often don’t happen!
38, 357, 9mm, 40, 45 are all good choices when ur life is on the line.
Well, this is my thought on any 22LR…
In 1953, a small Indian woman was in the woods carrying a single shot 22 LR.
She came upon a Grizzly Bear and killed it with one shot.That Grizzly Bear was the largest ever recorded! This all happened in Canada. Her name was Bella Twin. She was in her late 60’s – 70 years young. If that little woman could kill a record Grizzly Bear with one shot, I’m sure it would do the same to an intruder!!
Just saying! Don’t believe me? Look her up!
Bella Twin/ Canada/1953.
Of course it’s great to have a powerful hand gun, but if you actually need to fire it in your house, you won’t hear for 3 days. A .22 is a sharp crack, but it won’t blow your ears off. Just a random thought..
I appreciate the education. As a non gun owner i need education on “value.” Seems consensus is a .22 provides value, both cost and educational (training, range work, skill enhancement) without the need to get mucho macho ego power mad. Having seen so many replays of Reagan assassination attempt knowing a .22 created that havoc and damage i don’t think i would ever need or want to “graduate” to a bigger gun.
I had someone tell me’ “a big gun beats a small gun every time”. I replied, “a small gun beats no gun every time”. There’s definitely a place for small if that fits you limitations on ability or concealability.
I love my Std. Mfg. Switch .22 Magnum revolver. It changed me from a sometimes carry individual into an always carry individual.