Ask Foghorn: Is .22lr The Best for Self Defense?

The Truth About Guns ^ | 4 June, 2012 | Nick Leghorn

[Jim Noble]

Hits. It’s all about hits.

[paul51]

All things considered, I prefer the .357 Sig loads in most of my handguns. I go with 9mm when size and weight is a major consideration

[Tijeras_Slim]

.44 Mag Smiths are N frame. </ firearms police> The only .44 they made smaller was the 696 5 shot in .44 Special. (Try to find one!)

[mamelukesabre]

Oops. Yes you are right. My 357 is a k frame. the 44mag is an N frame.

[AAABEST]

I usually stay out of FR gun threads, not sure how I managed to get tangled into this one. However, of all the f---d up comments, yours gets the st00pit cake - hands down:

I never looked to “win” a “gunfight”. Only stupid people do that. The FBI has done studies that prove that the mere presence of weapon in the hand of a so called “victim” ended the confrontation immediately.

Who can respond to that? I think I'll just print it out, hold it under a bright white light and stare at it in utter amazement.

[Jack Hydrazine]

From what I understand the Israeli Mossad agents use the .22 Beretta or something similar but when they use it they get up very close and personal and do head shots only.

From what I have read the more effective rounds for most people start at .40 cal./10mm and go upward. I’m just not sure how many women feel comfortable handling the kick from a compact carry .40 cal.

[domeika]

Here's a bit of humor...

Recently, I had some problems with my truck. I fixed them, but the computer needed to be re-set, and to do that it would take some highway driving. So after fixing my vehicle, my lovely wife and I went for a drive. We live in PA, very close to the Delaware border, and we found ourselves deep into Delaware when I remembered that my permit was not recognized there. I took my weapon out and unloaded it while driving and handed it to my wife, and told her to put it in the glove box, or somewhere, anywhere, just as long as it wasn't loaded and on my person. We then found ouselves in a very populated area and I was attempting to turn around and get back to the highway. Just then, a cop pulled up on my right side, and my wife was going banannas because the inspection stickers on the truck were bad (it didn't pass emissions, so I had to fix, thus the "ride").

Anyway, long story short, while she was flipping out with the cop next to us (and trying not to show it) she also mentioned about how it would look really bad with expired stickers trying to also explain a firearm in the vehicle.

I then told her that I wasn't worried. After all...."you're the one with the gun."

Yeah, she kicked my ass just on the other side of the PA state line :-)

[RandallFlagg]

Like everything, it probably only requires a lot of practice.

I'll bet Laz says that every day.

[GreyHoundSailor]

They probably had something other than air in the hollow point too.

[ConradofMontferrat]

Good for you.

I posted that for all the “Swinging D!cks” who believe they know weapons better than anyone and have been in more scrapes than Batman himself.

Hey Dude, there is no such effing thing as a “gunfight”.

Only stupid people think so, anyone who has been on the wrong side of a weapon knows that.

Now, you frame what I said, you hang it up on you basement wall, and some day, when you grow up, you will truly know what I meant.

Have a nice life.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Ah well, I was a Smith collector for a number of years. Who cares as long as you shoot and enjoy them? ;)

[ops33]

380 loaded with hollow points.

[mamelukesabre]

According to FBI statistics, the most effective round is a 357 mag.

[Dusty Road]

S&W K frame in a 44 mag?

[domeika]

Ah well, I was a Smith collector for a number of years. Who cares as long as you shoot and enjoy them? ;)

ditto

[mamelukesabre]

see post 64

[Dusty Road]

The way I see it is to start poking holes in them as soon as possible and get the hell out, I don’t care what caliber it is. People have a tendency to drop no matter what the caliber is.

[Dusty Road]

Sorry posted before I seen it.

[ConradofMontferrat]

I might take issue. I have a booze addled brain, but I remember when the whole 9mm thingee started back in the ‘90s, the FBI did a really big study. And they concluded that if it didn’t start with a .4xx, it wasn’t a good deal.

Please don’t ask me for the name of the study. The NRA published it in the American Rifleman.

Me personally, I like the .357. Especially with my own loads.

Versatile, wicked and effective. I shot IPSIC with it a few times in a model 19. The buggers gave me a handy cap because I was using a revolver. They all had autos.

I shrugged off the handicap and beat some of their best times.

Fun was had by all.

[domeika]

Do you play billiards? That's about the best way I can explain it. When playing "pool", after you get pretty good you stop aiming....you just "know".

It's the same thing with pistol accuracy. if you practice enough, you'll forget that your weapon has sights at all.