Best 22lr ammo for self defense....

[MarikinaMan]

I was reading some stuff, and ran into Lynn Thompson talking about a 22lr as a backup gun. I found that intriguing. Started doing some research and found some accessible ammo that is good enough as a back up.



This is not an endorsement of 22lr as a primary defensive weapon.

Expansion to 0.34" diameter at 1200+ fps aint too shabby.



I have some Winchester Super X that just became really interesting to me. I havent seen Velocitors for years. I'm going to drive around next weekend to see if I can find a box or two.

[ohsmily]

I was reading some stuff, and ran into Lynn Thompson talking about a 22lr as a backup gun. I found that intriguing. Started doing some research and found some accessible ammo that is good enough as a back up.



This is not an endorsement of 22lr as a primary defensive weapon.

Expansion to 0.34" diameter at 1200+ fps aint too shabby.



I have some Winchester Super X that just became really interesting to me. I havent seen Velocitors for years. I'm going to drive around next weekend to see if I can find a box or two.

Why? If you're going to carry a backup to your primary, why not an ultra compact 380 like a Taurus Spectrum or Kel Tec P3AT or any number of similar models? With the exception if an NAA micro 22 revolver, small 22 LR guns aren't going to be any smaller than the 380s I listed and you get more muzzle energy with the 380.

[MarikinaMan]

Why? If you're going to carry a backup to your primary, why not an ultra compact 380 like a Taurus Spectrum or Kel Tec P3AT or any number of similar models?

I already own 22s. Having real world usable ammo for it and turning it into a useful defensive weapon, at the cost of a couple boxes of ammo, is a no brainer.

Personally, I only have maybe 400 rounds in total for factory made defensive ammo. Getting the 22s hooked up, is appealing to me.

[ohsmily]

I already own 22s. Having real world usable ammo for it and turning it into a useful defensive weapon, at the cost of a couple boxes of ammo, is a no brainer.

Personally, I only have maybe 400 rounds in total for factory made defensive ammo. Getting the 22s hooked up, is appealing to me.

Understood. Maybe a no-brainer for you. But for me, in the unlikely event my life is in jeopardy and I need to use a gun in self defense, I sure as **** don't want to be launching a 36 grain bullet just because I happened to have a few of those around as the driving reason for carrying it. To me it would be like using a rope as a seat belt because I had some rope laying around and the existing seat belt was defunct. I would go out and acquire the appropriate restraint equipment and hardware.

Obviously .22LR can be lethal and has been countless times. I personally know someone who won a gunfight he didn't plan for with a 10/22. Still, I know for a fact he would have preferred a bigger gun at the time.

[benjamin101677]

Why would you be thinking about .22 LR as a back up? Do you want your life or someone else life to depend on a .22 LR when there are a lot of other bigger better calibers that aren't crazy expensive that could easily do a better job.

I was raised in a law enforcement family and the discussion with guns for self defense always was about being about to stop the attacker. Did you ever read about the Philippine Juramentado warriors? During the Philipppine - American war the USA army found out that there 30-40 krag rifles and other handguns didn't have the stopping power needed to physically stop these warriors. The result was a fatally wounded warrior still being able to advance on soldiers and either killing or wounding them. Basically; these soldiers were being kill by dead men. This is why the 45 ACP round was designed.

Today there are a lot of good self defense rounds out there that have stopping power that people argue about for self defense. Never will you hear 22 LR be near the top of the list for anyone. Yes; like some have stated and you can read stories some gun fights been won with a 22 LR but nobody was purposely. I just think that with 22 LR there is way too much of a chance of you not being able to stop the threat.

If I ever get into a situation and need a weapon primary; back up, etc. I am going go for the weapon with the most knock down power as to keep the attacker down and greatly improve my chances of living

[MarikinaMan]

Why would you be thinking about .22 LR as a back up? Do you want your life or someone else life to depend on a .22 LR when there are a lot of other bigger better calibers that aren't crazy expensive that could easily do a better job.

I was raised in a law enforcement family and the discussion with guns for self defense always was about being about to stop the attacker. Did you ever read about the Philippine Juramentado warriors? During the Philipppine - American war the USA army found out that there 30-40 krag rifles and other handguns didn't have the stopping power needed to physically stop these warriors. The result was a fatally wounded warrior still being able to advance on soldiers and either killing or wounding them. Basically; these soldiers were being kill by dead men. This is why the 45 ACP round was designed.

Today there are a lot of good self defense rounds out there that have stopping power that people argue about for self defense. Never will you hear 22 LR be near the top of the list for anyone. Yes; like some have stated and you can read stories some gun fights been won with a 22 LR but nobody was purposely. I just think that with 22 LR there is way too much of a chance of you not being able to stop the threat.

If I ever get into a situation and need a weapon primary; back up, etc. I am going go for the weapon with the most knock down power as to keep the attacker down and greatly improve my chances of living

Why? Its explained up there. As a backup. Back up being a second gun. Two compacts 9s on your person seems a bit much to me. But if you roll like that, more power to you.

[Paseclipse]

I was reading some stuff, and ran into Lynn Thompson talking about a 22lr as a backup gun. I found that intriguing. Started doing some research and found some accessible ammo that is good enough as a back up.



This is not an endorsement of 22lr as a primary defensive weapon.

Expansion to 0.34" diameter at 1200+ fps aint too shabby.



I have some Winchester Super X that just became really interesting to me. I havent seen Velocitors for years. I'm going to drive around next weekend to see if I can find a box or two.

Remember, Robert Kennedy was assassinated with a cheap Iver-Johnson 22 LR revolver. And I'm sure the ammo used wasn't even remotely close to what we have available today. However, a 22 Lr pistol wouldn't be my first choice for self-defense for numerous reasons.

That being said, I've dropped a lot of varmints with a single shot of CCI Stingers. So If I had to use a 22 LR for self-defense, I wouldn't hesitate to use Stingers or Velocitors. They're high velocity (I've chrono'ed Stingers at 1,500-1,600 FPS average from a 20" barrel) can do some real damage.

ETA- Apparently Federal has added Personal Defense 22 LR to their product line- https://www.federalpremium.com/rimfi...11-PD22L1.html

[benjamin101677]

Why? Its explained up there. As a backup. Back up being a second gun. Two compacts 9s on your person seems a bit much to me. But if you roll like that, more power to you.

If you think 2 compact 9's may be a bit much; than why even have a second back up gun? I am just asking for mind set on that. The idea I have would have is the back up gun would be your best chance at surviving when something major such as damage to primary gun; primary gun is empty; primary gun is lost, etc. why not give yourself the best chance at survival. I don't think a .22 LR is the best option for survival at that point. To many things can occur with that small light weight round.

When I trained and got mind set ideas I always wanted the best advantage possible. At the point of needing a back up gun your life is on the line. I know first hand with a little training and understanding of things you can easily have back ups with more power available. When I was in law enforcement I carried a glock 27 .40 on my left ankle; once I got used to the weight and sweat I had no issues. There are many places you can hide bigger / better caliber guns on your body. There are many other guns out that such as Beretta .32 tomcats; derringers; etc. that would give better odds of survival than a .22 LR. Everything breaks down to training and mind set.

I know that if the OP and I were in a situation where we both lost our primary guns I am going feel so much better with either whatever caliber back up I pull compared to his .22 lr back up

[MarikinaMan]

If you think 2 compact 9's may be a bit much; than why even have a second back up gun? I am just asking for mind set on that. The idea I have would have is the back up gun would be your best chance at surviving when something major such as damage to primary gun; primary gun is empty; primary gun is lost, etc. why not give yourself the best chance at survival. I don't think a .22 LR is the best option for survival at that point. To many things can occur with that small light weight round.

When I trained and got mind set ideas I always wanted the best advantage possible. At the point of needing a back up gun your life is on the line. I know first hand with a little training and understanding of things you can easily have back ups with more power available. When I was in law enforcement I carried a glock 27 .40 on my left ankle; once I got used to the weight and sweat I had no issues. There are many places you can hide bigger / better caliber guns on your body. There are many other guns out that such as Beretta .32 tomcats; derringers; etc. that would give better odds of survival than a .22 LR. Everything breaks down to training and mind set.

I know that if the OP and I were in a situation where we both lost our primary guns I am going feel so much better with either whatever caliber back up I pull compared to his .22 lr back up

Thats how u roll, cool. I have no problems with your personal choices.

Different strokes for different folks. I dont claim to be an authority. Im exploring the possibility of a backup with a micro 22lr like for example the NAA micro revolver. The penetration and expansion off a 2 inch barrel is intriguing. Thats about it.

[NapalmCheese]

I'd rather have a .22 than no gun.

I'd just channel my inner Hemingway and have at it.

[plumbum]

I am fond of Velocitors, or any CCI offering. The point is, if a .22 LR is what you have, it is possible to make the most out of it. There are some very specific situations where a .22 may be the one and only firearm a person own, or perhaps that's the only option to have available within a window of time.

I got a Walter P22 when the were first imported (and yes I did get one of those letters from S&W about the threaded barrel). For a while I did keep it as my CCW piece, as it was my only handgun. It was very reliable, and it was plenty accurate. After shooting jugs, paper traps and various produce, I kept it stoked with Velocitors or MiniMag 40 gr loads.

[deckhandmike]

Spend a day shooting squirrels with it and you will change your mind about it being a self defense round. Real world experience is key.

[splithoof]

I prefer a good, solid, fixed-blade knife to any “second” rimfire gun, but that’s just my personal preference. I’ve patched up a number folks who had been shot with .22’s who lived, and in many cases walked away on their own, but I’ve seen more who didn’t walk away, or survive after a good shanking.
To each their own.

[MarikinaMan]

I'd rather have a .22 than no gun.

I'd just channel my inner Hemingway and have at it.

Agreed.

This is my gym shorts carry. Dont judge from its looks. Its grimy coz it gets carried. Its in 380, its doesnt eat HP's only FMJs, bites your hand like a ho that didnt get paid, BUT



its the only gun I own that won't expose my bits when wearing gym shorts. It is virtually invisible and 100% reliable. Never a jam, always ate FMJs and I cant hit consistently with it to 15 yards.

Now this in an ankle holster, as backup to a G19, doesnt sound too cumbersome.



Thats all Im saying. Now if someone else prefers to have 2 G19s, or whatever your choice is, more power to you. The only thing I have to say about that is, in a gun fight, I wish you were on my side.

[splithoof]

I am fond of Velocitors, or any CCI offering. The point is, if a .22 LR is what you have, it is possible to make the most out of it. There are some very specific situations where a .22 may be the one and only firearm a person own, or perhaps that's the only option to have available within a window of time.