“Marlin model 60 .22lr. Fun as heck, cheap as heck, and while the round isn’t too big by any means, it will take stuff down. Not an elephant gun, but it will keep a lot of marauding urban types at bay. “
I have an old Glenfield model of same. Gave a buddy an old Toyota pickup and got the rifle in exchange, with the original cardboard tag still attached. Recently put on an old red-dot sight (from a Ruger MK II pistol) that was kicking around. What fun! If they made it in .338 Lapua Magnum and it was as easy to shoot, I’d be all over it. :)
You bring up an interesting point. I was looking for a self defense pistol for my wife and was thinking .380 because it is small. Then all these folks said that I needed 9mm and some said it didn’t have enough stopping power and we could find compact .45’s.
Then I imagined a case where she might actually need it. She pulls it out and points it at the perp. Is he gonna say, “Heck, that’s just a weenie 9mm.” and proceeds to rob her.
That’s when I started looking for a .22.
That said, for practicality, cost, etc. I think one of the little kel-tek 9mm’s might be a good choice.