Many years ago, I pulled a 22 LR 6-shot revolver on 8 guys. We were out in the boonies, the nearest cop was probably 20+ miles away, and the 8 guys were approaching me while spreading out.
I had the revolver for plinking. I pulled it and figured I’d shoot the first guy in the nose. Then I’d go down, because 8 guys rushing one guy with a 22 won’t end well. But as it turned out, no one wanted to volunteer for a 22 round up the nose. Not entirely sure any of them KNEW it was a 22. So I ended up getting in my car and driving off, although I didn’t put the revolver down for several miles.
I’ve carried a 22 LR derringer. Not optimum, but extremely concealable. I’m not a trained knife fighter and don’t carry a fixed blade knife very often. In a pinch, I’d rather have the 22 derringer than a folding knife. But I’d rather have my 357!
No right thinking human would risk taking even a .22SR to the head unless their were huge stakes involved. In the situation you described, even a 10mm would have had a hard time fending them off if they bum rushed you. Of course, it would greatly increase the odds that anyone who was hit would be seriously injured or killed.
I'm glad it ended well for you. That sounds like more excitement than I'd want.
You have made my point exactly.
A .22 wont stop a charging crack head, but then a .45 probably wont either. Brandish a gun and it is very unlikely that perps intent on robbing you or beating you or kidnapping you for an ATM withdrawal probably are not going to want to press the issue and probably cannot tell the caliber of the gun while they are running away.
I would never carry one because I like big holes and want insurance against someone too mad or stupid to run away. But 95% of the time or more, you pull a.22 on a perp and he is not going to want to get shot and cant tell the caliber anyway while he is still pocessing the fact he expected you to be disarmed.
Excellent example.