Posted on 01/08/2022 8:11:26 AM PST by DoodleBob
It’s a question those of us in the gun writing business often get asked. “What’s the best caliber for a self-defense handgun?” Those expecting a one-to-three digit answer from me will be disappointed. I respond to their simple question with a complex one. “What is the most powerful cartridge that you can shoot accurately and proficiently that comes in a handgun which is comfortable enough to carry that you’ll carry it all the time?” Depending on the person asking, the answer will vary. For some, it’s a full-sized .357 Mag. or 10 mm Auto. For others, it’s one of the current .380 ACPs offered in a 9 mm-sized handgun. And in certain cases, it’s the .22 LR.
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Civilians who carry a firearm for self-defense are considering many of the same factors, including ammunition cost and availability, but their most important consideration should be using a firearm that is reliable and that they can consistently hit their target with at self-defense distances. Ballistic advantages goes out the window when your bullet doesn’t connect. Five .22 LRs in the bullseye beat one .44 Mag. that missed completely. To paraphrase famed lawman Bill Jordan, ballistics are fine, but accuracy is final.
Recoil is one factor that can hamper accuracy. Even cartridges on the lower end of the power spectrum, like the .380 ACP, can produce a lot of recoil when paired with one of today’s ultralight, micro-compact handguns. Lack of recoil is the .22 LR’s main advantage when it comes to shooting accurately. The topic of the .22 LR as a self-defense cartridge has been fought over and over in digital and print forums.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanrifleman.org ...
Mrs. L and I each own and carry the Springfield XDS in .45. They’re great little guns. Accurate enough and reliable to a fault.
But if all I had was a beat up Hi Standard .22 revolver with a 1-1/2 barrel that’s what I’d carry.
Best,
L
I forgot to include the link.
“I would guess that a .22 would have been about as effective as a fly swatter.”
Decades ago an old Native American woman took down a grizzly that was stalking her. A single .22 round behind the ear did the bruin in.
L
Read up on the Miami Shootout with the FBI.
And if one was to upgrade from .22 it better be bigger than a. .380
There is that.
I’m a 9mm guy. 17 rounds is better than 8 or 10. But I do love my 1911s and Glock 21
I keep an old Ruger Mark I 22LR (8 inch barrel) in my nightstand. Most easily accurate pistol I’ve ever fired.
As an aside, about 40 years ago a neighbor asked out of the blue if I “collected Ruger handguns”. I said no. He told me later that question was code among KKK people to identify each other.
I’m pretty sure you and I have disagreed an more than a few things.
This is 10000000%…..NOT…..one of them.
I’ve trained and ran ranges with folks from one end of the spectrum to the other…..never held a gun before to former SOF guys.
Train as much as your wallet will allow. Make the time. A hiccup could put someone in prison.
And I don’t want to start a argument, I have an issue with Constitutional “CARRY”. And it has nothing to do with ownership. I think the NFA is garbage. But it’s the “carry” part I have issues with.
Most real-world gunfights happen within 7 feet.
A large diameter bullet has superior stopping power close in.
Many handguns shoot larger diameter bullets that slow down considerably at 100 yards.
The typical .357 magnum bullet is still traveling at more than 1,000 feet per second at 100 yards.
A .451 or .452 inch diameter bullet fired in pistols chambered in .45 ACP and .45 Colt (for example) can slow down to about 600 feet per second at 100 yards. A lot of the speed depends on the powder load in the cartridge.
You don’t want your bullet to cross the street and pass through several walls of a house and hit someone inside who is not the immediate threat to you.
Whatever you carry is the best defense. A weapon is only as good as the shooter is proficient with it.
That reminds me.... I would love to get a Mark IV.
You guys have inspired me to go hit the gun store. My wife will be thrilled.
To wit: “if carrying a mouse gun comforts you, do so. But do not fire it, for you may hit someone, and give them reason to do you great harm.”
The FIRST purpose of a handgun is to get you out of danger. Blast away, and if you can, run like heck.
That is your PRIMARY PURPOSE. It’s not to kill the other human being.
Why would you leave the 9mm home?
One only needs to go back to the Reagan assassination attempt to get an idea of what a 22 can do. Cheap RG 22 revolver, 6 shots fired leaving 4 wounded and 3 on the ground. I’ve shot a lot of trapped hogs with a 22 LR some well over 200 lbs, and killed many smaller while sitting over feed.
Now it’s not a caliber I want to get in a gunfight with but the last thing I want to do is get in a gunfight. You start poking holes in somebody and it’s a game changer and gives you time to get the hell out of there.
“Why would you leave the 9mm home?”
“You can’t conceal it easily on a hot day.”
“It’s too heavy.”
“It prints with the clothes I’m wearing.”
Pick one. Feel free to add your own.
L
You can also get .22 Winchester Magnum (WMR), producing 324 foot pounds of muzzle energy at 1,875 ft/s using 40 grain bullets, which is more muzzle energy than most .38 special cartridges.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.22_Winchester_Magnum_Rimfire
I hear ya!
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