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Best .22 Caliber Pocket Pistols for Personal Defense
Am Shooting Journal ^ | 6/26/20 | C Cocole

Posted on 06/26/2020 7:08:48 AM PDT by w1n1

Having a reliable pistol that you're comfortable with is ideal for pocket carrying. If you're a newbie and want to start with a reliable pistol while working on your skillsets before going onto a higher caliber. Why not start with a .22 cal snub nose?

Some may argue that the .22 WMR is too small for personal defense. Those that think this way are looking at it from a hunter mindset, that is one shot one kill. However, for self-defense purpose the primary objective is stop the bad guy from doing bad things. There are three ways to stop a threat with a pistol:

  1. Causing enough pain that the bad guy submits or voluntarily decides to stop.
  2. Incapacitation, which is an involuntary reaction on the part of the bad guy in response to being shot, this can be instant or it can take some time.
  3. Using Fear as a psychological deterrent, no one wants to get shot at when there is gun pointed at them.
The .22 WMR does not have the stopping power of a .357, it does have velocity. Back to this later, many gun experts will test out these cartridges against a gel. Its simply a ballistic test medium which is thought to offer the same resistance to a bullet as would muscle tissue. However, it does not replicate skin, ribs, cartilage or fat and, in fact, very often the way a bullet performs in living tissue is quite different than how it performs in gelatin.

Caliber Comparisons
Here an interesting comparison that pitted the .22 WRM, 9mm and a .45 ACP. The penetration from the heavier slugs was deeper at 13 inches. The .22 WRM was going in at a little over 12 inches. One inch differences.

Velocity
The average 9mm Luger velocity ran about 1,175 fps.
The average .45 ACP ran at 1000 fps.
The .22 WMR fps came in at 1,050 fps.
Again not much differences.

Terminal Performances
When looking at terminal performances its about expansion but on a short barrel we're not going to see this. Unless, its from a higher caliber or from a longer barrel.

Here's the .22 cal pocket pistols:
Smith & Wesson 43 C
Ruger LCR 22
Beretta 21A Bobcat
- see the complete best 22 caliber pocket pistols here.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: 22caliber; blogpimp; clickbait; esl; getaneditor; guns; momsbasement; pistol
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1 posted on 06/26/2020 7:08:48 AM PDT by w1n1
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To: w1n1

If you’re going snubnose & hammerless-go .38


2 posted on 06/26/2020 7:13:31 AM PDT by Gman
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To: w1n1

What a joke.


3 posted on 06/26/2020 7:17:06 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Follow your Inner Trump)
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To: Kirkwood

“ What a joke.”

.... until you get shot with one, then it’s not so funny.


4 posted on 06/26/2020 7:20:42 AM PDT by semaj (We are the People!)
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To: semaj

I just came out of sugery will be months in recovery..told to not lift anything over 10 lbs...I can manage a .22 revolver


5 posted on 06/26/2020 7:25:14 AM PDT by spokeshave (White Confederate statue kills black man......Another month of protests.... (HT to seawolf101))
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To: w1n1

.22 mag with laser sight is pretty darn good.


6 posted on 06/26/2020 7:25:34 AM PDT by olepap
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To: w1n1
Relatie has a Ruger LCR .22 LR.

Didn't think I'd like it but it's a good little revolver.

7 posted on 06/26/2020 7:25:48 AM PDT by Eagles6
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To: Kirkwood

If you’re going to carry a .22 for self defense, be sure it’s had a full bevel treatment.

Cuz when you get done shooting someone with it, they’re going to shove it somewhere you won’t like.


8 posted on 06/26/2020 7:26:16 AM PDT by ConservativeWarrior
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To: semaj

Don’t shoot me in
The Foot, Bro!


9 posted on 06/26/2020 7:27:00 AM PDT by Big Red Badger (He Hath Not Given Us A Spirit Of Fear)
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To: w1n1

Excellent article.

Thanks for posting it.


10 posted on 06/26/2020 7:27:20 AM PDT by karnage
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To: Kirkwood
What a joke.

In other words, about average for 'AM Shooting Journal'.

11 posted on 06/26/2020 7:31:02 AM PDT by real saxophonist (BLM = Burn Loot Murder)
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To: ConservativeWarrior
Cuz when you get done shooting someone with it, they’re going to shove it somewhere you won’t like.

I originally heard that joke about bringing a pistol instead of a rifle while flying over Alaska. You had to file off the sight so it didn't hurt as much when a grizzly shoved it up your...

Well, I guess it's a little better than a BB gun.

Clark shoot the guard in Vacation

12 posted on 06/26/2020 7:37:52 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (In 2016 Obama ended America's 220 year tradition of peaceful transfer of power after an election.)
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To: w1n1

I have a distant relative who is sitting in prison for life (and has been there, going on 40 years) whose favorite pistol were cheap .22 revolvers.

Allegedly, he had a bad habit of walking up to people who owed other people money (or whatever) and shooting them behind the ear in in broad daylight on city streets.

Never got caught doing that; went to prison for racketeering, though.

Apparently going to stay there because he is not a rat, which I appreciate — from a distance.

Anyway, that’s immediately what I think about when I see a .22 pistol. Cheap, throw-away, murder weapon.


13 posted on 06/26/2020 7:38:46 AM PDT by Jewbacca (The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem)
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To: w1n1
Relatie has a Ruger LCR .22 LR.

Didn't think I'd like it but it's a good little revolver.

14 posted on 06/26/2020 7:39:50 AM PDT by Eagles6
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To: Jewbacca

I always think of John Hinkley and Reagan when I hear of cheap 22’s.

15 posted on 06/26/2020 7:43:47 AM PDT by BookmanTheJanitor
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To: semaj

The joke is that they are comparing statistics in a meaningless way. By that logic, a starter’s pistol should be on their list because it makes a loud noise that can scare someone, and the speed of sound is over 700 fps. If you want to believe that crap, enjoy yourself.


16 posted on 06/26/2020 7:44:34 AM PDT by Kirkwood (Follow your Inner Trump)
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To: w1n1

The best .22 pocket pistol is a .38. :)


17 posted on 06/26/2020 7:44:52 AM PDT by meyer (WWG1WGA, MAGA! Derps vs. Patriots, choose your side.)
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To: w1n1

I’ve got a 21A Bobcat and also a snub nose.357. Would prefer the.357 for defense but the Bobcat is very easy to conceal


18 posted on 06/26/2020 7:46:20 AM PDT by SquarePants (Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time)
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To: semaj

When I worked in the meat business, and worked for local slaughter houses, they shot the beeves in the head with a 22mag. Worked every time.


19 posted on 06/26/2020 7:47:12 AM PDT by 4yearlurker (Freedom.....where is she?)
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To: Kirkwood

Would work just fine against an unarmed attacker.

6 or 9 shots to the face with a .22 would deter just about everyone.


20 posted on 06/26/2020 7:48:09 AM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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