Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Should 22 Mag be the Choice as a Defensive Caliber?
AShooting Journal ^ | 11/19/2015 | Oleg Volk

Posted on 11/19/2015 9:14:35 AM PST by w1n1

When 30 carbine was introduced during WW2, many called it inadequate. It became massively popular, and not just with the rear echelon troops. Far from the sheer power of the 30-06, it was more useful to a radio operator, a cook, or a typist. Likewise, 22WMR is nowhere near the power of 223Rem (already deemed inadequate by many), yet its ballistic cousins 5.7x28 and 4.6x30 are well regarded for certain niche uses. Until recently, 22WMR was mostly used in hunting guns, the occasional exception like Grendel carbine aside. But consider it in the Personal Defense Weapon (PDW) format: lightweight, accurate, nearly recoilless, and effective.

For the test, I used two CMR30's updated to the production configuration. Both were reliable and well received by the numerous shooters who tried them. While slow fire provides about 1.5MOA dispersion, we did rapid fire standing at 18-20 yards. The target was a 1/4" hardened aluminum, diamond plate backed, with 2x4s. 9mm +P and .357Mag defensive ammunition shot through 4" barrels left minimal impression on the plate. 22LR let just a tiny splatter. From the carbine barrel, 22WMR ball blew through the metal and the wood behind it. We tried CCI hollow point load with the same result.

Read the rest of the story here.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: 22mag; 22magnum; banglist; cmr30; guns
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-119 next last

1 posted on 11/19/2015 9:14:35 AM PST by w1n1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: w1n1
hunters and snipers need power and long range

close quarters needs silent and adequate

2 posted on 11/19/2015 9:19:05 AM PST by knarf (I say things that are true .... I have no proof ... but they're true.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

I would never consider it for defensive use. For a pocket pistol, .380 is as small as I’ll go. As for rifles, 5.56 is the smallest I’ll go.


3 posted on 11/19/2015 9:19:31 AM PST by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Progressives spent that time trying to destroy it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Nahh, .357 and 9mm are great. .22 mag is not a very good semi-auto pistol round. Even Semi-rifles are rare.


4 posted on 11/19/2015 9:23:38 AM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

bfl


5 posted on 11/19/2015 9:25:07 AM PST by ponygirl (An Appeal to Heaven.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

It would not be my choice for self defense. My preference is a .357 magnum snub nose in my pocket.


6 posted on 11/19/2015 9:25:27 AM PST by c-b 1 (Reporting from behind enemy lines, in occupied AZTLAN.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1
Two problems: .22 Mag ammo is extremely scarce at this time and the street price of the CMR 30 is around $900.00 if you can find one. By comparison a Mini-14 or AR 15 can be had for $500-$800 and ammo is readily available.

Sure you can find a .22 mag revolver fairly cheap but why bother if you can't find ammo.

7 posted on 11/19/2015 9:29:24 AM PST by Jed Eckert (The government solution to a problem is usually as bad as the problem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

“Why do you carry a .45?” “Cause they don’t make a 46.”


8 posted on 11/19/2015 9:29:59 AM PST by showme_the_Glory ((ILLEGAL: prohibited by law. ALIEN: Owing political allegiance to another country or government))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Walther P99 in 22lr ...
Smooth and quick to re-sight on target,,, imho


9 posted on 11/19/2015 9:29:59 AM PST by ßuddaßudd (>> F U B O << "What the hell kind of country is this if I can only hate a man if he's white?")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Not my first choice, but if it is all you have then go for it.


10 posted on 11/19/2015 9:31:17 AM PST by Duckdog (Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean people aren't out to get you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Hits.

It’s all about hits.

8 hits with a .22LR beat 4 misses with a .44 Magnum.


11 posted on 11/19/2015 9:32:08 AM PST by Jim Noble (Diseases desperate grown Are by desperate appliance relieved Or not at al)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

The common rifle for rear echelon troops was the 03 Springfield.


12 posted on 11/19/2015 9:32:28 AM PST by Rockpile
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

It’s personal, depends on the situation.

7 years ago my life was threatened and the person illegally entered our home to prove she could get in and do it. I kept a XD40 with laser and flashlight combo attachment. I did lotsa practice with it. At night the flashlight part of it is totally blinding, and at “in home” distances the laser is perfectly accurate.

I slept with it under my pillow with one in the chamber. Once the threat was over, I realized having it under the pillow was not too swift.

I really recommend a similar setup for in home defense.

This same setup is great for meeting a stranger at the door in the middle of the night.


13 posted on 11/19/2015 9:32:49 AM PST by redfreedom (Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AlaskaErik
"As for rifles, 5.56 is the smallest I’ll go."

Well, a .357 Marlin lever action carries a lot of punch. I prefer it to my 5.56 AR because I'm just much more accurate with it out to 125 yards with iron sights. I prefer iron sights on a medium range rifle because of the wider range of vision for smaller, moving targets. I guess people could argue a long time whether a 5.56 rifle round or .357 is smaller. Powder vs. projectile. Both are good and preferable to a 22 mag imho.

14 posted on 11/19/2015 9:32:55 AM PST by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: w1n1
Any pistol caliber cartridge benefits from the extra muzzle velocity once it is moved up into a carbine (at least to a point). I have a .357 magnum Smith with a 2.5" barrel. I have a Rossi carbine in .357 magnum with a 16" barrel. Guess which one hits harder with the same ammo?

That said, I don't think .22 WMR is quite adequate for a self defense weapon although it's sure better than nothing. There is a difference in role between self defense and hunting - if you're hunting with it you have the ability to engage at a standoff range and the initiative to pick your shots. If something is hunting you, not so much. This is true with hunting people as well, a practice best left to trained professionals...Your Honor...

15 posted on 11/19/2015 9:34:07 AM PST by Billthedrill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ImJustAnotherOkie
"Nahh, .357 and 9mm are great."

Agreed, they are my favorite handgun rounds also. The FBI did a multi-year study on semi-auto handgun calibers (mostly 9mm vs. .40 cal vs. .45 cal) and issued its report last winter. As a result they are going back to 9mm from .40 cal. The most interesting part of the report was the conclusion, based on tons of study, that the increased "stopping power" of a .40 or .45 cal is an absolute myth. There is a 2 part video on youtube in which a gun guy analyzes the FBI report in good detail and it's well worth checking out.

16 posted on 11/19/2015 9:40:20 AM PST by circlecity
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: circlecity

Links? tia


17 posted on 11/19/2015 9:45:52 AM PST by outofsalt ( If history teaches us anything it's that history rarThe future must not belely teaches us anything.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: circlecity

I’ll take my 1911 .45 “Myth” over any 9mm you got.


18 posted on 11/19/2015 9:45:57 AM PST by TTFlyer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Miyamoto Musashi in his final sword duels killed his opponents with wooden swords. He was effective and lethal with what most people of the day considered a training sword


19 posted on 11/19/2015 9:46:51 AM PST by Ajnin (Wolves don't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: circlecity; All
Y'all who prefer magnum rounds for self defense against two legged creatures should do research on penetration through a human body.The results will surprise you. The one or two innocents directly behind the perp will wish you weren't engaged in the fight.
20 posted on 11/19/2015 9:50:12 AM PST by Cobra64 (Common sense isn't common anymore.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 101-119 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson