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Thoughts on the .22LR for self defense

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I know – “Why would anyone in their right mind ever consider the .22LR for self-defense?” Using the .22 for self-defense is a frequently discussed topic and often creates huge augments.  I try to base my opinions on facts and logic with a dash of common sense thrown in.

Here are a few thoughts:

  • An extremely high volume of .22LR rounds can be thrown down range upwards of 100 yards give or take – accurately.
  • Generally, most .22LR firearms are lighter than larger caliber firearms.
  • Semi-auto .22LR firearms are less reliable than their centerfire counterpart.
  • Many that are scared or apprehensive to shoot larger caliber firearms find it easier to shoot the .22LR – thus the “First rule of a gunfight is to have a gun.”
  • Many real-life self-defense encounter videos have the criminal element running at the first sight or sound of a firearm.
  • Statistics show that the .22LR provides a one-shot stop nearly 40% of the time.
  • Many .22LR firearms are less expensive than their larger-caliber counterparts. This increases the chances of actual firearm ownership.
  • While compared to other handgun calibers velocity of the .22LR is on par or even higher in many cases.
  • The mass of the .22LR is significantly less than typical self-defense calibers such as 9mm, 45ACP, and 40S&W.

Let’s just cut to the chase – the .22LR is not the ideal round for self-defense whether at 7 feet or 70 yards. What it most certainly is is an option. It’s an option that in thousands of cases has worked – and in others, it hasn’t – just like every other caliber.

Not everyone is cut out to be Rambo. Not to be sexist, however, it is typically women that are apprehensive to firing larger caliber firearms. .22LR’s? Usually not a problem once they actually get just a little trigger time. This is advantageous in that preparing for any defensive plan requires as many people behind a gun as possible – even if some of those guns are .22LR’s.

lcr-22

I’ll take my S&W M&P9 2.0 9mm or my Stag Arms 5.56 carbine over any .22LR any day. I’ll take my Mossberg Shockwave or my Ruger .45ACP Lightweight Commander as well. I would also prefer one of my M&P15-22’s loaded up with 25 CCI Mini-Mag’s over being unarmed every day of the week.

Rourke

Shop Palmetto State Armory for the best deals on .22LR firearms – and anything else you can think of.

 

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[UPDATED for 2020]

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22 Comments

  1. CaptTurbo says:

    I have the old “Gatling” style rig with two 10-22s clamped in at and it feeds 50 rounds per side firing four rounds with every crank of the wheel. It sits on a NATO machine gun tri-pod. I would hate to be on the muzzle end of that thing. It mows down saplings!

    Reply
  2. Zenblaster in SC says:

    One thing I discovered is that with .22LR pistols, the “feel” of the recoil varies GREATLY between models of guns. I tried many of the most popular 22LR pistols, and found I personally had the best recoil “feel” and accuracy with a Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Compact. I wanted the Ruger to win, NOPE. Tried the Sig Mosquito after reading it in a Prepper book. NO WAY, Horrible trigger. Tried a couple others. No. One pistol was so bad relative to the others, I only fired it once.

    Your mileage may vary greatly from mine but I encourage you to try different models via a friend, indoor range, etc. I was very surprised by my results but very happy with the result after feeling just how different they really were. Was not what I expected.

    Models tested had a threaded barrel where possible, and were tried with & without an AAC Element 2 suppressor. Ammo was my two most common brands of 22LR supersonic ammo (CCI Min mag and Federal Auto-Match) along with American Eagle 22LR Suppressor ammo. All of these work great in my Ruger 10/22 Takedown.

    take care,
    Zenblaster

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      I had a Sig Mosquito and found it to be a horrible firearm. Loved the grip but it was unreliable and trigger as you said was a disaster. Love the feel of the M&P 22 Compact and would like to pick one up some day.

      Reply
  3. DH says:

    You are correct in your thoughts on a .22. I would rather have a host of other rifle calibers or a good shotgun with slugs. If it’s all you have or all your are capable of using then it’s your choice by default. Some people are excellent shots with a pistol. But most are not and will be lucky under stress to hit a target at 25 yards with a pistol. Occasionally during competition we have pistol steel targets at 50-75 yards. I have to really slow and focuse to hit the target. I would rather have e a .22 rifle for sure.

    Reply
  4. 22 Fan says:

    It’s my favorite.

    A 10/22 with a good trigger, scope (Bushnell AR-22), ammo (SK Standard Plus) and one of Tony Kidd’s barrels will put 10 shots in one hole at 50 meters.

    SK Standard Plus is already subsonic so there’s no destabilizing transition from supersonic to subsonic during flight. This means I easily hit clay pigeons at 200 meters.

    So what?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUM1r_444CY

    (advance to 5:00 for the results)

    And, it’s VERY quiet when suppressed. Imagine a hostile small group advancing towards you. You begin the engagement on their rear and step forward with your fire–quietly and very accurately. I’ll let you use your imagination to figure out how this might play out.

    I can carry 500 rounds easily because it’s light.

    I can shoot all day for about $20.00

    The same day firing with my .308 would cost me $500.00

    What’s not to love?

    Reply
  5. JohnP says:

    I once had a discussion with a member of the military on stopping power of a 22, he did not think it was good for anything but plinking and small game, I asked him if he thought a head shot at 75 yards with the lowly 22 would permenantly stop someone, after the haze cleared in his eyes he had to agree it would. Moral, any gun is better than no gun.

    Reply
  6. goingray58 says:

    well as you mentioned no gun or caliber is one size fits all. nor can we carry all our situational firearms everywhere.
    people are easily discouraged by a small bullet .. softer and and more preservation instinct etc.. critters not so much ..
    but this was defense right ? So the caveat is “normal” people are discouraged easily. I don’t claim a ton of experience, because I don’t have it, however it is worse out there than it has been in recent years. Of the three times I have had to put hands on a weapon in defense, all three were people that were either drugged up or insane.. literally. That makes then NOT normal. The down side of a small caliber fast round is that it burns a quick hole in the target. Not much plasma shock. I’m saying a pistol is the most likely available weapon on your person at all times.I won’t likely be walking around the store with a rifle …
    To me that means I would have to hit a “light switch” spot .. If I’m sneaking up maybe, but this is defense so not sneaking.. and likely moving and close up with small reaction times even if you are very aware.
    I’m a huge .22 fan for all the reasons mentioned above, but a large caliber JHP has no equal in stopping an assailant with a small number of rounds up close.
    I’d say in a protracted gun battle your best bet is to use those rounds to break contact and get to a rifle.. But why am I in a protracted gun battle?
    Our first best weapon is our brain… Unless you are serving in military or police capacity, no battles are likely.. SHTF is some else entirely of course..

    The most compelling use of a .22 is training and keeping muscle memory. Shooting is a perishable skill that needs refreshing.
    Good discussion
    GG58

    Reply
  7. Lightning says:

    I believe that comfort and ease of use is very important-especially for woman and smaller men.
    What are your thoughts re: a 20 gauge shotgun for self defense? Lightning
    PS Trump just chose the candidate for Supreme Court Judge G (sp?) He seems like he has an impeccable record.

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      Lightning – a 20 gauge – and for that matter any shotgun including the .410 – can be extremely lethal. Remember that although a shotgun no matter the load they still have to be aimed. No matter the gun – practice as much as possible.

      Reply
  8. Jeff says:

    With all due respect, you are missing the point I think.

    The 22 LR is a fantastic self-defense caliber for concealed carry and, specifically, for people who otherwise would not carry. A 22 ruger LCR pistol like the one shown is the perfect handgun for the soccer moms and briefcase carrying suit-types of the world. Why? Well, it is easy to carry. It is easy to conceal. It is super lightweight. It requires no maintenance. It can sit for years loaded in a bedside safe and still go “boom.” It is super easy to fire. It is super fun to fire and practice with. It is highly accurate. It is safer and more easy to use for beginner shooters. It has more rounds than a traditional wheel gun. And, let’s be frank here, the 22 ultimately has proven stopping power for a any two legged threat.

    A 9mm or 45 acp, by contrast, is always going to be bigger heavier and less concealable — especially on small frames (i.e., women). It is going to be much harder to carry. It it going to require much more cleaning and maintenance, at least monthly. It is going to be harder to shoot and less accurate for a beginner — which also means it is less safe. And, honestly, there is no data out there proving that a 9mm cartridge is better than a mere 22 for 2-legged threats.

    To each his own, but I just bought the 22 Ruger LCR wheelgun in the picture for my wife. It is the perfect self defense and concealed carry option for her. And, for me, it is a fun little gun to shoot with at the range.

    Is it ideal? For her, yes. For others, maybe? But I wanted to comment because, to be honest, a 22 has proven to be very effective. And, a 9mm is really not that much better. I mean, neither are a 357/44 mag cartridge. Ultimately, it is going to be your own preference.

    Reply
    1. JR says:

      Thanks for the comments Jeff. We are going to differ substantially on this. While I believe the .22LR has a role as a self-defense tool it is not even close to being as effective as a larger caliber. Performing the research into what incapacitates the smaller the hole the less damage. We are talking pistol velocities. The amount of damage caused from a 44 Magnum is immensely larger than that from a .22LR. This equates into the larger caliber being a far superior manstopper.

      Reply
    2. goingray58 says:

      As you say ..
      To each his own. However there is tons of information to show larger calibers are more effective in stopping human targets over a .22 LR. I personally saw a man take 9 rounds up close, and kill the shooter.. walk 100 yards and them die. Only one to the heart killed him, and he still did all that. When they moved to 9mm from larger calibers .. several federal agents were killed as a result of stepping down to 9mm power. That’s the FBI’s determination. The study was in Miami. Not even the remotest chance it woudl have taken 9 rounds to the body in any large caliber and kill the shooter and walk away .. Remember James Bardy (The Brady Law ?) Took one in the middle of his head (.22) and is still walking around. He was disabled for a while .. I can’t imagine that with a .45, can you?
      They don’t require more cleaning for mere caliber size.

      Carrying capacity due to adult frame and hand size is absolutely true, but part of it is dress and practice as well. There are a lot of options. You can’t conceal in a biki, except in a purse maybe. What’s more important ? Nothing is perfect of course. Everything has weaknesses and strengths. Situational awareness is as important as defensive weapons, non-lethal or otherwise. Can’t get hurt if you are not there.

      I am not trying to be over critical of your position, only stating my own. If I could only choose one firearm forever it woudl either be a shotgun or .22. I am saying that each has a purpose, and each position has it’s advantages and disadvantages though.
      I’ll apologize in advance if offended. It was not my intent.
      GG58

      Reply
  9. John Gault says:

    Interesting subject. While bullet technology has done much to bring the lethality of smaller caliber bullets (like the 9mm) more in-line with say the .45, the .22 doesn’t offer much to work with. Yes it can persuade someone to leave you alone, and obviously it can be deadly, but it’s effectiveness as a defensive round is lacking, it is not a man stopper. For those (like my wife) who for whatever reason won’t move up in caliber size beyond the .22, and it’s the only caliber they’re comfortable with then so be it. Its superior vs. throwing rocks but it’s far from optimal.

    Reply
  10. cid says:

    its all about shot placement. shoot them once or twice in the face and they will have other ideas on what to do with their time

    Reply
  11. 22 Fan says:

    Returning after some time away. To be clear, it’s never what I carry for self defense. Cracks me up. Most folks (my wife included) want to carry the lightest, thinnest firearm available day to day right up until…
    They need it.
    Then, they want the biggest canon they can lay their hands on!
    The 22LR in the above configuration is still my favorite for a lot of circumstances– especially when one needs to be quiet during a planned, intentional engagement. Being able to place a lot of quiet, accurate rounds without detection can be very useful.
    The same can be done with PCCs too but carrying a lot of rounds = a lot of weight. A 147gr 9mm subsonic round weighs about the same as a 5.56 round. But, again, if you need to be quiet…

    Reply
  12. JRsDaddy says:

    Love my 10/22, love my Colt Woodsman (50’s model) but honestly every woman I take shooting can’t get enough of my 1911. Say what you will about “girls” being “afraid” to shoot the larger calibers but I call bullshit on it. Most of them will say they are “afraid” to shoot a “real” gun and want to shoot my .22’s or even a pellet gun but after 15 minutes on the range they all pretty much gravitate to the larger caliber firearms. My daughter-in-law on her first time out decided the 1911 and Remington 870 12 gauge were her favorites for the day. Your mileage may vary and I am a firm believer that I would rather have a .22 than nothing (first rule, bring a gun to a gun fight) but don’t discount a heavier caliber based on gender. You will do more damage with what you practice with any day of the week whether that’s a .22, a 9mm or a 12ga and I’ve found that as you introduce new people to shooting, introduce them slowly and encourage them to practice, practice, practice with whatever they are comfortable with.

    Reply
  14. Jim Navotney says:

    A 22 to the head beats a 44mag to the chest every single time and will drop them right where they stand.
    What makes 22LR a lesser choice for self defense is it’s reliability.
    Rimfire ammo has a high malfunction rate compared to centerfire so when you encounter that weak round or dud round your semi auto is going to jam.
    And while you are tapping and racking, your attacker already put multiple holes in you or stabbed you.
    This is why i always recommend a revolver only if you feel you must use 22lr for defense.
    One with a 8 to ten round capacity filled with quality ammo like CCI Velocitor.

    Reply

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