[Vito]

There was a time when I was convinced that nothing less than 45acp was worthy of being called a self defense handgun. Then I found 40S&W a viable alternative, and years later, came to rely upon 9mm for concealed carry. Throughout this time I looked down on 22LR, although I fully agreed with those who said that they would prefer not be be shot with a 22.

For about 10 years my everyday carry was a lightweight 38 Special revolver, but recoil pain in my arthritic hands made me dread firing even a single round. When I carry OWB it is my reliable Glock 26. But most days I just pocket carry, and my new micro sized Ruger LCP in 22LR is super easy to conceal and carry and I have fallen in love with this little gun. I find that I can shoot this little gun with its 3 inch barrel more accurately than I can my 26, maybe due to the recoil. The sound and feel of this little gun makes me feel it is far more capable as a self defense gun than I might have been willing to say just a short time ago. With a capacity of 10+1, and firing CCI ammunition, I've started just putting this little pistol in my pocket when leaving the house, and not feeling particularly undergunned.

In my years of carrying I have yet to have to draw, let alone fire a gun in self defense. The 22 seems like it would be enough to dissuade a thug from his goal, but I wonder how folks on this particular forum think about carrying a 22 as an EDC.

 

[Syclone0538]

My minimum is currently .380. Recoil in a pocket gun is significant.

If I couldn't deal with it, I'd try to move to a bigger gun in .380, or something in 5.7 maybe.

But for a pocket gun with light recoil, I don't know how to get a better round than .22.

 

[warbow150]

The 22 seems like it would be enough to dissuade a thug from his goal, but I wonder how folks on this particular forum think about carrying a 22 as an EDC.

Nowhere near my first choice, because of the questionable reliability of the ammo if nothing else. And it’s generally just an inferior choice in terms of working well on people. That said, if it’s all you have or can use it can do the job.

I worked with an officer who was murdered by a guy with a .22. He lived long enough after being shot in the heart to shoot the bad guy three times. So, as with any pistol caliber, don’t expect miracles, or even for anything to happen quickly. And definitely don’t expect a bad guy to be “dissuaded”.

 

[RGP]

Well... no idea about the LCP, but it wouldn't be too difficult to live with a .22 cal. Ruger Single Six.

 

[Ordell Robbie]

If that’s what you can physically handle and it’s that or nothing then you got to do what you got to do.

 

[mmcbeat]

I have arthritis but not yet to the point where I’m uncomfortable shooting a 9mm or .38 spec. When and if the time comes I hope I can maybe go with a slightly heavier gun and sub 100 grain ammunition. I have fired sub 100 grain ammunition in both 9mm and .38 spec, both are very soft shooting.

 

[smithcaz]

Vortex did a podcast/video on 22LR with a guy from CCI for self defense. Take a look at the video, it was very interesting to me.

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

I am sure there are folks in cemeteries that can confirm how deadly they are.

 

[kmglock97]

Aim for the assailants face and keep shooting. The low recoil will help you get on target. One head shot and he’s done.

 

[mmcbeat]

I am sure there are folks in cemeteries that can confirm how deadly they are.

That’s true but the fact is there are better low recoil choices available. I wouldn’t be happy but I would carry .25acp over .22rim because it is a centerfire round and more reliable.

 

[Julius Seizure]

Reliability would be my concern as well.

I’d give the 5.7 a look

 

[nedsled]

There was a time when I was convinced that nothing less than 45acp was worthy of being called a self defense handgun. Then I found 40S&W a viable alternative, and years later, came to rely upon 9mm for concealed carry. Throughout this time I looked down on 22LR, although I fully agreed with those who said that they would prefer not be be shot with a 22.

For about 10 years my everyday carry was a lightweight 38 Special revolver, but recoil pain in my arthritic hands made me dread firing even a single round. When I carry OWB it is my reliable Glock 26. But most days I just pocket carry, and my new micro sized Ruger LCP in 22LR is super easy to conceal and carry and I have fallen in love with this little gun. I find that I can shoot this little gun with its 3 inch barrel more accurately than I can my 26, maybe due to the recoil. The sound and feel of this little gun makes me feel it is far more capable as a self defense gun than I might have been willing to say just a short time ago. With a capacity of 10+1, and firing CCI ammunition, I've started just putting this little pistol in my pocket when leaving the house, and not feeling particularly undergunned.

In my years of carrying I have yet to have to draw, let alone fire a gun in self defense. The 22 seems like it would be enough to dissuade a thug from his goal, but I wonder how folks on this particular forum think about carrying a 22 as an EDC.

I don't carry but I simply don't consider .22LR guns to be reliable enough to have as an HD gun. Whether that relates to the gun or the ammo is somewhat immaterial.

My Glock 17: One light strike on the very first magazine and then a few from a bad batch of WWB. I consider it supremely reliable.
My AR15: Literally NO malfunctions of any kind in the 3-4000 rounds I've got through it. Reliable
My "best" .22: At least one misfeed or dud round (CCI SV) per 200 rounds: Unreliable

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

That’s true but the fact is there are better low recoil choices available. I wouldn’t be happy but I would carry .25acp over .22rim because it is a centerfire round and more reliable.

Agreed. But if 22 caliber is all you have, it's better than nothing.

 

[mmcbeat]

Agreed. But if 22 caliber is all you have, it's better than nothing.

👍Just for the record, I own two .22’s, a Ruger Bearcat and a Ruger MK IV, I take one or the other almost every time I go to the range. Last resort for self defense though.

 

[Markm87]

Nothing dissuades many of the lunatics out there these days. .40 S&W or bigger is the correct answer.

 

[GeorgiaGlocker]

Nothing dissuades many of the lunatics out there these days. .40 S&W or bigger is the correct answer.

I carry 9mm. It's all about location, location, location.

 

[ich.ni.san]

A 22LR wouldn't be my 1st, 2nd, or 3rd choice, but if I had to carry one, I wouldn't feel naked.

There's always that concern about rimfire reliability. But at the same time, as I continue to fire 1000's of rounds of 22lr without issue, I wonder just what the actual percentage of bad cartridges is*.



* I have had bad ones, but it's been a while.

 

[VASCAR2]

Vito, after having another Birthday on the 10th I can identify with your reasoning. I’m retired living in a rural area and I live in a low threat environment. I am having lower back problems the last few weeks which has affected what pistol I have been carrying.

Carrying a weapon is a personal choice and the first rule of being in a gun fight is to have a gun. A few hits rapidly on target with a 22 LR is better than misses with a centerfire pistol. I recently found a Glock 28 380 ACP on sale for a very good price. I bought it and it is basically a Glock 26 in 380. My Glock 28 has recoil about like my Glock 26 frame with an Advantage Arms 22 LR conversion. Both are extremely easy to shoot. I also have a Glock 42 which I have been carrying more because of my lower back issues. The Glock 42 is easy to shoot, accurate and easier to conceal than the Glock 28.


I bought the Glock 28 because of the price but so far it has impressed me. I think my younger Grandsons will enjoy shooting the Glock 28 after they graduate from shooting 22 LR pistols.


Glock 28 380 ACP with +2 extension and Glock Tritium Night Sights.

 

[mj9mm]

I just got back from shooting a 5” steel 1911, .45acp.. I love shooting steel 1911’s, the recoil isn’t too much to handle,, of course, much easier than my little 9’s and 380’s.. I have a couple small .22’s, I find a 22 revolver more dependable than small semi autos but I haven’t tried many.. so far, I have only carried the 22’s when walking where I might encounter unfriendly dogs or coyotes, not that I think it might work well, but I hate the thought of sending multiple bullets into neighbors homes..

I do understand the difficulties of shooting with painful hands, I have considerable arthritis and nerve damage in my hands, I rarely shoot many rounds with my small 380’s and 9mm’s.. I practice often enough just not a lot at once.. then I know I can be ready to defend myself with 7,, 10 rounds if needed…

 

[Mustang0211]

I have no qualms with .22 as a self defense caliber, add a small pepper spray to go along with it and I believe you’re appropriately armed for 99.99999999~% of anything that might ever happen. I would prefer a revolver (lcr22) personally, but if your Lcp meets your standard of reliability and ease of carry then it’s 👍

Getting all your shots on target as accurately and as quickly as possible has to be better than getting 1-2 shots off and your hand cramping up or becoming unstable.