Rimfire home defense

James Markov · 11-23-2006, 08:57

Anybody use the .22 here as a PRIMARY self defense gun for the home? If so, why? And, what load do you use?

GixxerSixxer · 11-23-2006, 11:34

My GF uses Stingers in her P-22. I've tried and tried to transition her to at least a .380 acp but the recoil scares her.

Conversely, she'll go trap shooting with me and handles 50 rounds of 12 ga just fine but I can't get her to switch to a 18" 870 for home defense. I just can't get the logic through to her

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collim1 · 11-25-2006, 00:17

My GF housesitted for a family in the county area a while back. I gave her a "safety pack" including a Surefire light and a Ruger MKI loaded with stinger .22's

She is a very good shot with the MKI and would refuse to take anything else. I would rather her put 10 stinger into someone then nothing.

Not my choice for a primary HD weapon, but better than nothing.

Bill Keith · 11-25-2006, 12:36

Many years ago I had a Beretta model 70 22LR, and used it for home defense because it was the only gun I had. I kept it loaded with Stingers and was a good shot with it. The gun was foolishly sold and I miss it. It held 8 rounds in the mag and looked like a small model 92.
http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976746181.htm

LOOGIE1 · 11-25-2006, 18:48

this is what i use for home defence its the only pistol i have its a bereta neos .22. i dont want to kill someone just want to let them know they are not welcome and if 10 shots wont do that they are going to get the best of me anyway i use federal copper jacketd hollow point

sharpshooter · 11-26-2006, 12:07

You could just use your voice to tell them their not welcome... The way I see things, if someone enters my home, I have to assume they intend to harm me or my family. Quite often that means the intruder must be killed or seriously injured very quickly. If your house is like most people's houses, an encounter with a home intruder will most likely occur within 10-15 feet or less since most rooms are that size or smaller. You're really gonna wish you had something bigger than a 22.

An intruder climbed up the exterior wall of our place and entered thru the second story bedroom window. When I awoke to my wife's screams, the intruder was within arm's reach of me. I dove off the bed and grabbed my 40 cal Glock. The intruder jumped back out the window. I had my sights on him for a split second as he lept out the window but I did not fire. Believe me, you don't want a 22 in a situation like that.

failsafe · 11-26-2006, 12:13

Not for home defense...I carry my Walther P22 in the summer, when I am walking around the neighborhood, just to keep the unwanted loose dog attack from happening....

LOOGIE1 · 11-26-2006, 15:19

as i said above its the only pistol i own i dont think a hk-91 or a romak-3 would fit in my night stand so something is better than nada right. Send me the cash and i would gladly get a glock for now the .22 will have to do plus who out there has ever shot an intruder. not saying it has never happend but they will usuly take off at the sound of some one being home

vafish · 11-26-2006, 21:40

Quote:

Originally posted by James Markov
Anybody use the .22 here as a PRIMARY self defense gun for the home? If so, why? And, what load do you use?

Not now, but I have on a couple of occasions in the past.

First occasion was when I was first married, my wife didn't like shooting any of my big handguns, but she loved my little Ruger Single Six. When I traveled out of town I'd put away the .357 magnum and bring out the SS with the .22 mag cylinder in it. I figured the wife was better off with a gun she could shoot well. She never had to test the stopping power theory of the .22 magnum.

Second occasion was when I was living overseas in a country that had a very dim view of self defense. They had prosecuted several people for murder that had used firearms to defend their homes. Firearms ownership was severly restricted, but I had a legally owned 15 shot .22 semi auto rifle that was equipped with a screw on suppressor (also legal). My home defense plan used the 3 S's (Shoot, Shovel, Shut-up) Never had to use it.

And not for home defense, but a long time ago, for a short period, my primary carry gun was an Iver Johnson TP22. I practice regulary drawing from my rear pocket and emptying the magazine of CCI Stingers as fast as I could into the head of the target. After a few months of that I started carrying bigger guns.

salvo · 11-27-2006, 14:07

Quote:

Originally posted by vafish

And not for home defense, but a long time ago, for a short period, my primary carry gun was an Iver Johnson TP22. I practice regulary drawing from my rear pocket and emptying the magazine of CCI Stingers as fast as I could into the head of the target. After a few months of that I started carrying bigger guns.

vafish you must have read the ramblings of Ayoob and the vertues of the little TP22 also

I bought mine early in 86 and got pretty good with it, it quickly became a back up gun then glove box duty. Sits in the safe now, guess I better go shoot it one of these days.
A .22 is 100% better than nothing. Practice often and shoot for the CPU

James Markov · 11-27-2006, 19:06

Anybody use a .22 revolver?

vafish · 11-29-2006, 07:19

Quote:

Originally posted by salvo
vafish you must have read the ramblings of Ayoob and the vertues of the little TP22 also I bought mine early in 86 and got pretty good with it, it quickly became a back up gun then glove box duty. Sits in the safe now, guess I better go shoot it one of these days.
A .22 is 100% better than nothing. Practice often and shoot for the CPU

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I don't recall Ayoob's writing's affecting my choice at the time, just that a dealer I bought most of my guns through back then had one and I thought it was a cool little gun.

In a fit of stupidity I sold it to a co-worker. I've only seen 1 used in a gun shop since then and didn't have any spare cash when it was available.

22collector · 11-29-2006, 15:20

Hey I keep a two loaded handguns in the house my Airweight and my P22. I cant shoot the airweught for anything (need to practice more) so its my BUG for the bad guys. I figured that by the time I had 10 in him from the 22 he will be close enough to hit with the 38. But I dont use Stingers in my P22. If you go to the walther forum on www.rimfirecentral.com many people have had many problems with the Stingers being too powerful for the zinc slide on the P22, and they are a hair longer that a standard lr so there have been ejection problems. I use MiniMags they work flawlessly and at 25 yards I can put 10 shots in a 3 inch group and not possibly tear up the gun. Do I ever see having to use the P22 for home defense... No but both are within reach and to tell you the truth I would probably grab the 38 first. If its the only gun you have then by all means use it. I cant get my girlfriend to carry a knife let alone shoot a gun so I leave the P22 loaded at the house for her just in case. I figured if she had to use it she could handle the recoil enough not to let it fly out of her hands. Shot placement is most important with a 22 so if it floats your boat use it.

22

eddief4 · 11-29-2006, 17:05

a .22 is better than nothing

vafish · 11-30-2006, 06:43

Quote:

Originally posted by 22collector
....... But I dont use Stingers in my P22. If you go to the walther forum on www.rimfirecentral.com many people have had many problems with the Stingers being too powerful for the zinc slide on the P22, and they are a hair longer that a standard lr so there have been ejection problems. I use MiniMags they work flawlessly ......

When using a rimfire for self defense reliability is the most important thing.

In my Iver Johnson TP22 Stingers functioned perfectly. I don't think there is that much difference between various .22 LR loads when fired from a short barreled handgun for self defense uses.

WellArmedSheep · 12-03-2006, 17:31

My wife has her Walther P22 by her side of the bed, and I have my Remington 870. Her primary duty in case of a home invasion is to dial 911.

Mickid · 12-04-2006, 10:22

It's strange, nobody mentioned a .22 rifle as a rimfire home defense weapon. From a 10/22 the .22 l.r. round has about as much power as a .32 ACP from a short barrel, like a Keltec P32.
Many people trust the P32, or slightly more powerful P3AT, even though it does not have the option of a 25 round magazine, for personal protection.

A .22 rifle is not the worst of choices for somebody on a budget.

Burns · 12-18-2006, 09:55

I would take a 10/22 over a P32 for home defense.

UtahIrishman · 12-18-2006, 10:41

While my primary defense is my G19 I keep my Ruger 10/22 in the basement, which is where I spend a good deal of time since it is my office. It's maneuverable and light and with a 25 round mag certainly has plenty of firepower.

reerc · 12-21-2006, 21:06

I've never really considered a .22 for home defense, but I'd like to start warming the wife up to carying/shooting something, and I'm sure a .22 would certainly be far less intimidating to her.

And like they say ... any gun is better than no gun, yes?

Burns · 12-22-2006, 09:42

For a new female shooter, I really like the idea of a 5-shot revolver. That way, if she can't stop her attacker right away, she can get all five shots off before the attacker gets to her, and the attacker is less likely to be able to use the gun against her.

KalashnakovKids · 12-24-2006, 22:25

All great points you have Made and dont get me wrong cuz 10/22 is one of my favs but for home defense, especially in the middle of night, I trust my $200.00 Mossberg 12ga with rem 00buck it just seems like more of a safe bet to me. To each their own

PAPACHUCK · 12-29-2006, 07:27

Quote:

Originally posted by James Markov
Anybody use the .22 here as a PRIMARY self defense gun for the home? If so, why? And, what load do you use?

I don't, but, I think a 4-6" .22WMR with 40-50gr.HP would probably do the job. Maybe a Grendel P30 if it could be made reliable.

Even with CCI Stingers or Velocitors, I believe the .22LR isn't quite up to the task.

just my .02

PzGren · 01-02-2007, 04:21

I'd much rather use a .22 l.r. stinger or comparable round than a .22 Magnum out of a handgun. You'll have plenty of flash and not the performance that the .22 Magnum can deliver out of a longer barrel.

Alaskapopo · 01-03-2007, 07:43

Quote:

Originally posted by LOOGIE1
this is what i use for home defence its the only pistol i have its a bereta neos .22. i dont want to kill someone just want to let them know they are not welcome and if 10 shots wont do that they are going to get the best of me anyway i use federal copper jacketd hollow point

You need a real gun in 9mm/38 special or larger. Sorry but all 10 shots of a 22 will do is piss them off unless you hit them in the eye. It could very well kill them but I doubt it would stop them with anything less than a perfect shot to the CNS.
Pat