[drbuzzard]

I’m a bit dubious of the .22lr as a self defense cartridge. While it certainly can kill someone, it doesn’t tend to do it in a really timely fashion. It’s more of a bleed out kind of round.

[xone]

It’s more of a bleed out kind of round.

That's how all bullets work.

[ctdonath2]

Agreed. If you're limited to one gun, get something which can in fact put down darn near anything with one shot at significant distance. ...which is the point of the "Scout Rifle" concept. Light, short, common caliber (.308), fast to use.

[MrB]

I’ve heard a discussion of this. An analysis was done of the various calibers that people have been shot with and the results thereof.

It turns out the .22 didn’t perform much lower than the 9mm.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2012/06/foghorn/ask-foghorn-22l-for-self-defense/

[DainBramage]

You hit someone in the face with a 22 and I promise he will know it and mine will drive a tack at 75 yds.

[PowderMonkey]

Shot placement is everything. My only objection to recommending .22 lr for self defense is that rimfire ammo tends to misfire, and quality is inconsistent. What’s hot and “the best” one year is total crap the next.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

It’s more of a bleed out kind of round.

A .22 round to the head is lethal very quickly. From about 50-100 feet, it goes in but does not exit. It tends to bounce around inside the melon doing all sorts of damage. Lights out.

[SkyDancer]

The IDF uses a .22lr for urban fighting/sniping.