[coleslaw]

Well at dinner last night, my friend and I was talking about firearms and conceal carrying. He knows I do and I know he does and he is in the city every night, I live and work in the surburbs where nothing happens. Well he carries a S&W 357 loaded with 38 special... a very formidable defense round but he says he is going to buy a .22 to carry in his pocket to which I reply "WHAT?!" Then I got to thinking... maybe I got this "personal protection" thing wrong. He had no problem with carrying 6 rounds of .22... none at all... no stress, no worrying about not having a super duper Corbon DPX +P+P+ .45 acp. Lol. I feel anxiety if I DON'T have my gun on me loaded with 8+1 rounds of 230grain Win Ranger.

I remember when I started carrying, this was the first time I ever owned a gun. I was 100% comfortable with my Glock 17 as just a truck gun, loaded with Speer Gold dots... fast forward two years later, a couple IDPA matches, NRA classes, Magpul DVD's, joining the forums, reading gun rags and all the so called research and now I am totally uncomfortable unless I have the new and improved super duper new and most powerful gun and ammo. I feel like I got sucked in, I bought into the "Tacti-cool" too much, got sucked into the ads, I forgot I'm not living in Afghanistan, I'm not a SEAL or SWAT or even a cop... I'm just a guy trying to defend myself against the thug, crazy guy or junkie.

Has this happened to any of you? If so please share, my friend being 100% confident in carrying a .22 made me realize I need to get grounded again. I was totally fine 2 years ago with just my 9mm Glock 17 now I feel like I need HK's and Sig's, top notch guns... I feel like I am undergunned with anything less than my .45's. Don't get me wrong, my HK45c is a great CCW, I shoot it well and I am very accurate with it but if I said that the hype around this gun and the immortal .45 reputation didn't push me to buy it then I'd be lying.

(Sorry for being long winded, thanks for reading.)

 

[Gregg702]

I wouldn't carry a short barrel .22 as anything more than a backup to a backup, if I shoot someone I want him to go down, not have a fleshwound and hope they run away, or hope I get a really lucky shot. It is better than nothing, but there are plenty real guns that slip comfortably in the pocket, like a 642, a CM9, or an LCP.

 

[fnfalman]

A .22 is better than no guns.

 

[FLIPPER 348]

I've tucked a P-22 with 11 Stingers in a jacket pocket from time to time, no worries.

 

[aircarver]

Personally, I've had so many dud rounds with all brands of .22 in guns that hit it properly, that I'd never use a .22 for defense.

.

 

[ThreadKiller]

9mm or better. All marginal manstoppers but still far better than a .22 for ending a fight quickly. If it has to be that way, attending a shooting is far better than a gunfight.

 

[voomie]

Hype can be a good thing if it used as a guide to start off with but it should be follow by research, testing and asking what you need out of a fire arm. This is how I chose the g17 as my carry piece when I get my ccw. Also one piece of advice that I helped me was "one well placed shot is worth more than 100 missed shots with more "stopping power". Also the top of the line gun does you no good if you dont have the training to use it properly.

 

[Adionik]

A .22 is better than no gun. I'd give my wallet to someone that got the jump on me with a .22

Not everyone is these super meth crackhead hulk soliders that can take 100 rounds and keep going, even when the bullet goes through them.

People drop.

 

[DPris]

Carrying an adequate defensive caliber has nothing to do with tacticool, and the .22 rimfire ain't one.

I also take exception to the statement that a .22 is better than no gun, since it gives people a false sense of security in thinking they've got a viable defensive tool. That can lead to some bad decisions, and it can lead to death in circumstances where a realistic caliber could have saved a life, not lost one.

The .22 rimfire is a very poor choice for such applications.
Denis

 

[coleslaw]

Hype can be a good thing if it used as a guide to start off with but it should be follow by research, testing and asking what you need out of a fire arm. This is how I chose the g17 as my carry piece when I get my ccw. Also one piece of advice that I helped me was "one well placed shot is worth more than 100 missed shots with more "stopping power". Also the top of the line gun does you no good if you dont have the training to use it properly.

Very true... Also to future readers I am totally not starting a caliber war. I was surprised by his choice of caliber but more surprised by his comfort level of carrying a .22. I just wanted to know if any of you gradually obtain bigger, "better", more powerful or tactical weapons based on all the marketing and hype... and now do not feel comfortable going back to that plain jane small caliber gun for self defense? Because I admit, this has happened to me... It's very embarrasing to admit but it's true.

 

[Agonizer]

Yes, a 22 is better than no gun, but if you are going to carry, do it right with at least 9mm or 38 special or even .380 at the very least. Shooting someone with a 22 could end up being more dangerous for you than not. Why push the envelope? Some people just have to be contrary to make themselves feel they are smarter than everyone else. Why do you think Law Enforcement doesn't carry less?

Countless articles about this out there.

 

[Gregg702]

Personally, I've had so many dud rounds with all brands of .22 in guns that hit it properly, that I'd never use a .22 for defense.

.

9mm or better. All marginal manstoppers but still far better than a .22 for ending a fight quickly. If it has to be that way, attending a shooting is far better than a gunfight.

Carrying an adequate defensive caliber has nothing to do with tacticool, and the .22 rimfire ain't one.

I also take exception to the statement that a .22 is better than no gun, since it gives people a false sense of security in thinking they've got a viable defensive tool. That can lead to some bad decisions, and it can lead to death in circumstances where a realistic caliber could have saved a life, not lost one.

The .22 rimfire is a very poor choice for such applications.
Denis

All of these are very good points. You should print out this thread and show it to your friend, then point him towards a 642 or LCR, since he seems comfortable with revolvers.

 

[Agonizer]

Very true... Also to future readers I am totally not starting a caliber war. I was surprised by his choice of caliber but more surprised by his comfort level of carrying a .22. I just wanted to know if any of you gradually obtain bigger, "better", more powerful or tactical weapons based on all the marketing and hype... and now do not feel comfortable going back to that plain jane small caliber gun for self defense? Because I admit, this has happened to me... It's very embarrasing to admit but it's true.

You just have to sort out the BS and realize the best thing for self defense is a high capacity semi-auto in 9mm or better.

All the tacticool stuff is not necessary.

 

[BailRecoveryAgent]

I believe you and your friend are at opposite ends of the spectrum of concealed carry. He feels confident in a 6 shot .22 and you don't feel adequate unless carry a .45 with super duper mythical manstoppers.

Shot placement and bullet design matter more than the caliber the gun is chambered in or how many rounds it holds. I wouldn't carry a .22 as my primary gun, but something chambered in .38, 9mm, .40, .357mag/SIG, .45 with a street proven JHP would be fine with me.

 

[DPris]

I spent many years behind a badge cleaning up other people's messes, including shootings with a variety of calibers.
The .22 is, again, a poor choice.

It's a re-run, but if you haven't seen me post it before I'll do it again. I met a guy in passing through Wyoming many years ago. He'd been shot with a .22 & was debating whether or not to have the bullet removed.

And, don't even bother to bring up "bullet placement wins the day".
Denis

 

[voomie]

I know I eventually I want a 45 but for a range gun/collection piece and the fact I like the 1911 and g21. The g17 will remain my carry gun until it fails me in either concealability or proper functioning.

 

[AK_Stick]

a 22 will kill you dead, if it gets put somewhere vital.

as for you though, I think you need to stop reading all those silly shooting magazines. There's absolutely no issue with a 9mm. Feeling under-armed because you're are carrying a 17 round 9mm, is silly.

 

[coleslaw]

All the tacticool stuff is not necessary.

This is def what I'm starting to realize.

 

[redbaron007]

Shot placement is crucial with any caliber. The smaller and less powerful the caliber, the more important the shot placement is. A .22 in the chest is nothing like a 9mm/357/.40 in the chest. Therefore, if one is going to carry this caliber as their primary carry gun; being prepared is very important!

I hope your friend is prepared.

:wavey:

red

 

[coleslaw]

All of these are very good points. You should print out this thread and show it to your friend, then point him towards a 642 or LCR, since he seems comfortable with revolvers.

During the conversation I tried to talk him into a S&W Bodyguard .380... He said he wanted something smaller, to each their own I guess.