22 Magnum

[JTROKS]

I've been trying to get my wife to use something stronger than 22lr. Her current defense gun is S&W BG 380 w/ laser, but she keeps going back to the Browning Buckmark because the snappy recoil of the BG380 scares her. She can't hit the broad side of a barn with my S&W 640 loaded with the lightest 38 spl JSP factory ammo. I keep CCI Stingers in the Buckmark for they are the most reliable 22lr ammo and shoots accurately. I've never had a misfire with CCI compared to other brands, but I'm sure I'll have one - Murphy's law.

I haven't shot much 22 Magnum handguns and ammo, but I remember back late 80s of an AMT 22 Mag with an abnoxious blast during several rabbit hunts in Utah. I'm betting CCI reliability comes in magnum also.

For the folks with lots of 22 magnum experience. I would like to hear your inputs on guns and ammo that works for you.

[liberty47]

My initial thought is that if she's comfortable with the buckmark maybe stick with it? 10 rounds of 22lr on target is worth something.

[liberty47]

Also interested to see what guns are recommended.

[CaliforniaSon]

A .22 Win Mag with Hornady Defense has almost the same stopping power as a .38sp. My personal recommendation if you can find one is either the 8 shot Taurus, 8 shot S&W or an old AMT Auto-Mag.

I don't remember the models off hand, but if I see them I will post them here.

in my humble opinion the .22 win mag is an amazing round that is greatly under appreciated. I personally carry my daddy's old Ruger Single Six when I am out on horse or ATV with my friends because the round has more than enough power to take out a varmint, coyote, and most other small creatures, yet as practically no recoil.

Also, check your PM.

[srvgtrfan]

+1 with what Liberty said.

My wife is the same way. For some reason she likes her .22 and won't even try anything else.

She is very accurate though with it so I'm not going to push. JMO

[sd joe]

Hey California, where did you hear that a .22 mag with Hornady Defense has the same stopping power as a .38?
Not being argumentative but that doesn't make sense to me so I am curious.

[Barbarosa]

I have several .22 mags all the way from a little High Standard derringer to a Colt Buntilne with 9.5" barrel. Other than the fact that it is an incredibly loud round (the derringer absurdly so) they are a lot of fun to shoot, very reliable and a pretty darned good stopper.

If you are looking for a carry gun the S&W 351 PD or C would be an excellent choice. If you are looking for home defense/target the Model 48 is a great gun. I've got one with an 8 3/8" barrel from the first year of production back in 1959 but it is heavy. They make them now in 4 and 6 inch versions.

Charter Arms makes the pathfinder which is a really nice piece and a little less expensive.

My wife is also a big fan of .22 and doesn't like anything else.

[003]

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/22mag.html

http://www.ballistics101.com/38_special.php

Click the links. A .22 magnum is comparable to a basic .38 special in stopping energy. Some loads have more muzzle energy, depending on barrel length. The one downside to a .22 magnum is extreme muzzle blast out of a short barrel.

The .22 magnum is underrated and underappreciated by those that believe it is "just" a .22.

To quote Bill Jordan, the .22 magnum is a "wicked little cartridge". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Jordan_%28Marine%29

Muzzle energy of a standard .38 special is around 200 foot pounds of energy.

Muzzle energy of a .22 magnum can be as much as 360 foot pounds of energy, out of a longer barrel.

[200Apples]

.
I enjoy .22 Magnum, but I have only used it in a late-model Henry lever carbine, the H001M. The magnum round really shines through the longer barrel. It's great fun and packs some real punch given it's size.

I have been looking at all kinds of .22 mag wheelguns lately. I might just wind up with the tried and true Single Six convertible. Something with a barrel just under 4"...

[JTROKS]

Revolver will not be good for my wife. She can't hit anything with a revolver in double action. I think the PMR30 will be good, I'll just have to find some ammo.

What's funny is I had a couple of boxes of CCI 22Mag in my internet shopping cart. I had to do something for my kids and 30 minutes later they were all gone.

Besides revolvers. Is the PMR30 the only choice in semi-auto? You can ask me about 1911s, but I know nothing about 22 magnum models.

[heidad01]

PMR 30 is the best choice. They come up in the sales ads.

[movie zombie]

I was looking into this one: S&W 351PD.
however, there are "issues" and I would avoid it.

more people killed with a .22lr than any other caliber.
while not my choice for self-defense, if your wife is comfortable with it and accurate, willing to go to the range and practice with it be happy.

a higher caliber handgun sitting in the closet, not practiced with, etc is useless for self-defense.

[starsnuffer]

5.7 is also comparable in recoil and ballistics (if you factor in projectile shape). Might be worth renting a 5.7 and having her try it out.

-W

[sd joe]

Thanks for the links 003, that is interesting.
I think I would still opt for the much heavier larger diameter .38 for self defense purposes.

[Kestryll]

Is this for home or for carry?

The BG380 is a small handgun, has she tried any of the larger .380s like the Bersa Firestrom, CZ83 or Beretta 84? Same caliber but larger grip and more weight so the recoil is less.